Smuggler Archive
Thread: Current Correspondents Depart, Former Correspondents return ...
JTGAlpha wrote:
40502. It's in great condition, there's not a thing wrong with it that I'm aware of. It's a 4Dr. standard Dodge Neon.
Dealer Value: $4,750 (not reasonable)
Message Edited by Geevo on 10-07-2004 11:02 AM
JTGAlpha wrote:
Heh, well, I can't speak for it's looks, other than, the only thing I can recall BEFORE the wreck being wrong with it was the hood ornament was off. /shrug.
I just think it sucks that they made me wait 45 days to pay me an amount that'll buy me car that wasn't half as good as that one. That one ran wonderful and didn't have a single mechanical problem. There's no way in hell I can expect to buy a car that low-mileaged and good condition for $3700 dollars. Sure there'll be similiar Neons, but I won't be able to trust them like I trusted that one.
I do understand your points, and the peace of mind is important. However it is nearly impossible to put a value on that. 45-days could be the result of any number of things, so I won't address that. I have claims that I can settle in 1 day, and others that take me *several* months.
For example, I have one right now that is about 60 days old ... I already know what the resolution will be but I am not able to say it because of how difficult the claimant has been. I have implied that we will not accept liability, but I am unable to officially deny it because he has called the office of the CEO, the Department of Insurance, among others. Because of his actions, we are obtaining a copy of two years of medical records ... and that takes more time. Hopefully that one will be resolved in the next 4-6 weeks (in addition to the 60 days that have already passed).
I have been doing these types of claims for about 5 years now, and the clearest thing I can say on *most* insurance compaines is that they try to resolve things as fairly as possible, but sometimes there is no way to make it 'ok'. Under liability property damage there is a duty owed to make you whole for economic losses ... but as you said, you can't trust the new Dodge Neon.
More advice (sorry, on a soap-box now) ... If you can afford it, carry Collision coverage. The ability to let your own insurance carrier handle this would have resolved this case weeks ago. The convenience (IMO) is worth the extra cost, on my policy I have Comprehensive & Collision coverage for my Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT. My Comprehensive deductible is $0 because if someone steals it or vandalizes it (after all, it is a convertible) ... I won't have to pay a dime to get it fixed or replaced. If I am involved in an accident, I have the $500 deductible (or if I get hit by someone that takes off & I don't know who thtey are I have to pay).
When looking for insurance ... balance cost, quality of service, and stability of the company. You don't want to get insurance from a company that can't pay a claim. As far as the level of service ... sometimes (not always) it is a sliding scale ... better service = higher costs. I know of two specific companies that are not like that (good service & lower cost) ... but I can't post that information here.
Accidents suck ... but be happy that you are alive and healthy. After all, I am happy that we are able to talk about this ... it could have been far worse. At this moment, I have4 fatal claims on my desk .... and those really suck.
Insured vehicle pulled out in front of a Semi truck ... Impact on driver door killing insured driver, insured passenger helo-lift to hospital
Insured vehicle driving down freeway and unknown person pulled along side and shot/killed the driver ... vehicle then went off of the road
Insured vehicle lost control going on wrong side of road ... head on vs. Semi Truck, Insured driver killed.
Claimant vehicle lost control hitting parked & Unoccupied insured vehicle. Claimant driver died at the scene (just closed)
Essentially, be glad it turned out ok. Drive safe (SUPER SUPER SUPER SAFE IN PARKING LOTS!!!!), and remember ... although you are a safe driver, and you follow the rules of the road ... there are real morons out there behind the wheel. Think of some of the idiots you run into within SWG, they may be following you or driving in a parking lot. These idiots make it so you really have to be extra-careful.