[tnycman]

So driving down on the highway, a truck got a flat and the tire and the tire got ripped and was in the middle of the highway lane 95S, wife was driving and ran it over ruined the front bumper and the rear was also ripped. According to the state police the piece of tire weigh about 800 lpb and can cause some real damage, with Volt being very low i'm sure there are some more damages than the front /rear bumper. we lost some fluids and i get bunch of error on the dash such as Service High Voltage Charging System, among other things..

I decided to pursue the damages with their insurance, i rather not go through Geico yet, even though i have full coverage for the vehicle.. Their insurance seem to not be very eager to help, and i made it clear that if they try to mess around I will take them to court.

Read some post that mentioned that the car might be totalled. I really like the car, and the only issue i had was the charging port which was fixed under the 100K warranty, other than that this car has been solid.

My fear is that they will offer me little money which won't compensate for buying another Volt, its has 111K miles, but it been solid and i wanted to keep this car for few more years, love the $$$ I'm saving..

I'm kind enough to use my old Pathfinder and not take a rental, but i keep feeling the tank twice a week with that thing.

So freaking aggravating and things aren't moving as fast as i like.

I'm sure they will offer some #$%^ money if totalled, and was wondering if my own company will offer a better deal if the other party insurance refuses to offer a reasonable amount.. I would go with another Volt, but I don't want to put any out of packets money, when i had a perfectly fine car until that happen..

Any thought ?

 

[KenC]

Not understanding why you wouldn't have your insurance deal with it.

 

[tnycman]

I left that as my plan B, was told that this is a pretty reputable company, will give them the benefits of the doubt, and suggest to go with their insurance so it won't be on my records, regardless of the fault a reported accident with heavy damages it won't look good when switching insurances.. If i don't go anywhere with then, will definitely pursue though my own.

 

[Don M]

My fear is that they will offer me little money which won't compensate for buying another Volt, its has 111K miles, but it been solid and i wanted to keep this car for few more years, love the $$$ I'm saving...

Any thought ?

I think you're probably right - No mater which insurance company you file it through, I'd be surprised if you end up with any more than $7,500

Don

 

[JRRF]

Talk to your insurance company. They will help you deal with the truck's insurance company. There is no question of fault, and you won't be impacted insurance wise in any way. If the truck company insurance offered you a rental, you should take it, and use it for as long as the process takes. If you deal with the truck company insurance, they will give you as little as they possibly can. Basically they will try to screw you. Their job is to make money, not help you. As to whatever the final settlement will be, you'll never get more than the value of the car unless you were also injured. So you should get enough to buy another used Volt of the same age. If you want a new car, you would have to come up with the difference the same way you would if you went into a new car dealer and traded in your old car.

 

[tnycman]

Talk to your insurance company. They will help you deal with the truck's insurance company. There is no question of fault, and you won't be impacted insurance wise in any way. If the truck company insurance offered you a rental, you should take it, and use it for as long as the process takes. If you deal with the truck company insurance, they will give you as little as they possibly can. Basically they will try to screw you. Their job is to make money, not help you. As to whatever the final settlement will be, you'll never get more than the value of the car unless you were also injured. So you should get enough to buy another used Volt of the same age. If you want a new car, you would have to come up with the difference the same way you would if you went into a new car dealer and traded in your old car.

I feel like they already want to screw me over, but again i can't be sure till they come up with their results, their adjuster called me and asked if i owned anything on the car and when i said NO, he was like, that's good, not sure if he meant good for not having payments, or good because i would end up owning the bank money, regardless all i want is to be able to get a same car in similar shape.. This car was a trade in when i bought it, in really good shape, very low miles and i took good car of the car, i put a lot of miles so my average MPG is in the mid to upper 30's, so i might end up buying a Honda Civic or something similar if i can't find the same car for what I'll get from the insurance.
Let's see what happen, they might consider fixing it, which i highly doubt.

 

[JRRF]

I feel like they already want to screw me over, but again i can't be sure till they come up with their results, their adjuster called me and asked if i owned anything on the car and when i said NO, he was like, that's good, not sure if he meant good for not having payments, or good because i would end up owning the bank money, regardless all i want is to be able to get a same car in similar shape.. This car was a trade in when i bought it, in really good shape, very low miles and i took good car of the car, i put a lot of miles so my average MPG is in the mid to upper 30's, so i might end up buying a Honda Civic or something similar if i can't find the same car for what I'll get from the insurance.
Let's see what happen, they might consider fixing it, which i highly doubt.

Assuming you stay on this path, WHATEVER they offer you, tell them that's not enough and the car is worth more. They will pressure you. Stand pat!!! Let them come back to you and I guarantee they will then come back with a higher figure. This is a negotiation, and they don't hold all the cards. If you play hardball, you will get more.

 

[tnycman]

Agree, i already it made it clear that i need a fair settlement and lucky for me i have almost free legal services, so attorney letter, lawsuit preparation and all the good stuff are free for me, i rather not go that path, as I'm tired already of this stupid thing, i wish it never happened to be honest.

 

[JRRF]

Agree, i already it made it clear that i need a fair settlement and lucky for me i have almost free legal services, so attorney letter, lawsuit preparation and all the good stuff are free for me, i rather not go that path, as I'm tired already of this stupid thing, i wish it never happened to be honest.

They want you to be tired. They wear you down to accept less. Stay strong!

 

[nrvous]

++++++1!!! Go through your own insurance and let them go after the truck. That's why you pay those premiums!

 

[P0234]

Assuming you stay on this path, WHATEVER they offer you, tell them that's not enough and the car is worth more. They will pressure you. Stand pat!!! Let them come back to you and I guarantee they will then come back with a higher figure. This is a negotiation, and they don't hold all the cards. If you play hardball, you will get more.

Agreed. They try to use the element of time to pressure you. Get a rental, it will pressure them. Don't involve your insurance company unless you like playing a game of telephone.

Been there, done that a few times. Even bought one car back as salvage.

 

[BoogetyBoogety]

So you have a doctor, but won't use him when you're ill and ask your neighbor how to get rid of whatever ails you...

You have a financial adviser, but won't take his advice and instead trust your own instincts...

You have a nice GPS unit, but decide to turn it off and go billy-goating off the highway...

What...? You wouldn't do any of those things?

So why oh why would you have an insurance agent... With an insurer covering your vehicle, and representing you, its valued client... And NOT use your resources when something happens that they are in the business of handling for you?

Turn the whole mess over to your insurance company, let them fix your car and then they can subrogate against the truck people, they know how to handle it, they know what to do, they will represent you because you are their client...

The trucking company insurance people don't want to talk to you... And if you get representation, they for damn sure won't talk to you (then its lawyers against lawyers). They just looooove to hear "I'll sue you!" because then they can tie up any sort of settlement forever if they want to.

Let your insurer handle it. That's what you pay them for. Your anecdote is their daily work of life... They know what they're doing. You probably... don't.

 

[turboguy327]

So your wife ran over road debris and you expect someone else to pay for it? I understand that correctly? If so, why? It was intentional. He didn’t intend harm. It’s real world s**t happens. Either pay for it out of your own pocket or call your insurance. Why blame someone else? I mean everyone seems to but that does t make it ok.

 

[Cord]

What does it cost these days to get a total car back from the insurance company.

Was 200 when I got mine back 15 years ago.

If the battery is not damaged - that is worth more that 200 .

 

[Burbankcal]

Wow, I was totaled, T-Boned last week. 24 yr.old gal ran a red light and didn't even brake.

Luckily there was an eyewitness who stepped forward and gave me his info. I went to Urgent Care right away who gave a useless cursory exam. I contacted my lawyer (PI) specialist and he set up immediate medical attention. I have a concussion, neck and upper back trauma, dizzyiness, nausea and bruised ribs. I have an appt. with Neurologist this week. I'm angry as hell with angst!

I'm sure the reason I'm not more seriously injured is because the battery on the floor requires a strong chassisand the Volt didn't buckle as a lesser car might have.

My 2011 Volt is #23 of the first 100 built. I have the documents and coffee table book that comes with a Commemorative edition of the Volt. It had only 56,000 miles, has celebrity status. My brother in law Hector Elizondo sold it to me to keep as a future collector car. MY INSURER MERCURY has offered $12,500 for the car, which is unacceptable. My Volt has EVERY OPTION, and PEARLESCENT WHITE PAINT. It's the most Premier Volt one can purchase.

The only comparison I have found in Southern California is a 2016 with 37,000 miles at $23,000. I have found a 2011 with 36,000 miles for $16,000, but not the special paint and from CarMax (would you ever buy a car from CarMax!).

Can anyone reading this post point me to the GM rep. who used to post on this forum or Public Relations for GM/Chevy and ask them; what value would they give for Volt #23 should be. I'd appreciate it, looking forward to my next Volt!

 

[bjrosen]

Wow, I was totaled, T-Boned last week. 24 yr.old gal ran a red light and didn't even brake.

Luckily there was an eyewitness who stepped forward and gave me his info. I went to Urgent Care right away who gave a useless cursory exam. I contacted my lawyer (PI) specialist and he set up immediate medical attention. I have a concussion, neck and upper back trauma, dizzyiness, nausea and bruised ribs. I have an appt. with Neurologist this week. I'm angry as hell with angst!

I'm sure the reason I'm not more seriously injured is because the battery on the floor requires a strong chassisand the Volt didn't buckle as a lesser car might have.

My 2011 Volt is #23 of the first 100 built. I have the documents and coffee table book that comes with a Commemorative edition of the Volt. It had only 56,000 miles, has celebrity status. My brother in law Hector Elizondo sold it to me to keep as a future collector car. MY INSURER MERCURY has offered $12,500 for the car, which is unacceptable. My Volt has EVERY OPTION, and PEARLESCENT WHITE PAINT. It's the most Premier Volt one can purchase.

The only comparison I have found in Southern California is a 2016 with 37,000 miles at $23,000. I have found a 2011 with 36,000 miles for $16,000, but not the special paint and from CarMax (would you ever buy a car from CarMax!).

Can anyone reading this post point me to the GM rep. who used to post on this forum or Public Relations for GM/Chevy and ask them; what value would they give for Volt #23 should be. I'd appreciate it, looking forward to my next Volt!

$12,500 is a pretty fair offer for a 2011, I would have thought the value would be far less. There is no such thing as a future collector car, a seven year old car, especially a Chevy, is just a used car. In 50 years you will know if a 2011 Volt is a collector car, something that can only be established at auction, but my guess is that the Volt will never be a collector car.

 

[wssix99]

I feel like they already want to screw me over, but again i can't be sure till they come up with their results, their adjuster called me and asked if i owned anything on the car and when i said NO, he was like, that's good, not sure if he meant good for not having payments, or good because i would end up owning the bank money, regardless all i want is to be able to get a same car in similar shape.. This car was a trade in when i bought it, in really good shape, very low miles and i took good car of the car, i put a lot of miles so my average MPG is in the mid to upper 30's, so i might end up buying a Honda Civic or something similar if i can't find the same car for what I'll get from the insurance.
Let's see what happen, they might consider fixing it, which i highly doubt.

You have good advice here. The only person who can do you wrong to you here is yourself. (By not involving your insurance company.)

Your insurance company is your advocate in this instance. THEY have the responsibility to pay you 100% of the damages here (since it is not your fault, it will not impact your premiums) and their lawyers will see to it that the other company takes the proper responsibility and makes everyone whole.

The other insurance company WANTS you to continue down this course because you don't deal with this professionally and they have the upper hand. (They can just simply tell you, "No", and you have zero leverage in the situation.)

Your insurance company are professionals, have lawyers, and have plenty of leverage.

 

[JRRF]

So your wife ran over road debris and you expect someone else to pay for it? I understand that correctly? If so, why? It was intentional. He didn’t intend harm. It’s real world s**t happens. Either pay for it out of your own pocket or call your insurance. Why blame someone else? I mean everyone seems to but that does t make it ok.

So if someone fires a gun in the air and you happen to be walking around and that bullet comes in contact with you it's just your dumb luck? S**t happens I guess.

 

[turboguy327]

Wow, I was totaled, T-Boned last week. 24 yr.old gal ran a red light and didn't even brake.

Luckily there was an eyewitness who stepped forward and gave me his info. I went to Urgent Care right away who gave a useless cursory exam. I contacted my lawyer (PI) specialist and he set up immediate medical attention. I have a concussion, neck and upper back trauma, dizzyiness, nausea and bruised ribs. I have an appt. with Neurologist this week. I'm angry as hell with angst!

I'm sure the reason I'm not more seriously injured is because the battery on the floor requires a strong chassisand the Volt didn't buckle as a lesser car might have.

My 2011 Volt is #23 of the first 100 built. I have the documents and coffee table book that comes with a Commemorative edition of the Volt. It had only 56,000 miles, has celebrity status. My brother in law Hector Elizondo sold it to me to keep as a future collector car. MY INSURER MERCURY has offered $12,500 for the car, which is unacceptable. My Volt has EVERY OPTION, and PEARLESCENT WHITE PAINT. It's the most Premier Volt one can purchase.

The only comparison I have found in Southern California is a 2016 with 37,000 miles at $23,000. I have found a 2011 with 36,000 miles for $16,000, but not the special paint and from CarMax (would you ever buy a car from CarMax!).

Can anyone reading this post point me to the GM rep. who used to post on this forum or Public Relations for GM/Chevy and ask them; what value would they give for Volt #23 should be. I'd appreciate it, looking forward to my next Volt!

That 2016 is about the same as your volt as a Escalade. It’s much newer. That offer seems pretty fair as they need to put you where you where before the accident. And that offer will do that easily.

 

[turboguy327]

So if someone fires a gun in the air and you happen to be walking around and that bullet comes in contact with you it's just your dumb luck? S**t happens I guess.

Uh, that is a COMPLETELY different scenario. A flat tire isn’t preventable unless the tire was a 4x recap, worn lower than 2/32” or 4/32 if it was a steer tire, or had low enough pressure to warrant a DOT ticket.

Firing a deadly weapon in the air is intentional.

The OP hit road debris. Not something placed on the road intended to cause harm. He is lucky the truck company is even entertaining him.