How to get a bigger settlement check for your totaled vehicle.

precisioninjur... | 702-425-8880
This video provides a overview of what you can do to get a bigger settlement check from the insurance company for your totaled vehicle after an accident.

[@luvurobert]

Tried this, sent her a bunch of comps and she only added $500 to her initial offer. I'm still fighting!!! It's really eye opening, because all these insurance companies act like they'll take care of you when you need them. In reality, they make us pay high premiums and try to get away with paying you the least amount possible. Best part is that this stupid accident was a commercial truck driver's fault!! His insurance wasn't being responsive enough, so we had no choice but to claim with our insurance and have them subrogate. This is the biggest nightmare!

[@EmpressIntuition222]

lol yup, my total loss adjuster literally told me two days ago that they only have a $500-$1000 to play with when it comes to us countering. But they won’t go further than an extra $1000 for sure he told me he gave me the max because he knew I was gonna have a TIME finding another one being that dealerships are grave .

[@EmpressIntuition222]

You need an attorney !!!! If you have that drivers information and MC# you need to be compensated. Period. If it is within 2 years please seek counsel

[@luvurobert]

@@EmpressIntuition222 Thanks for the suggestion, but we settled. It took 3 offers from our insurance and at that point I just wanted it to be over. The trucker's insurance company finally paid our deductable through subrogation, too. Glad it's all over!! I appreciate the info!!

[@leejunta]

I have a 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid with hail damage. Inspection is complete and they have declared it a total loss condition. Can I ask for complete price refund? any guidance will be helpful it was my first car ever and I just bought it in Feb with just 7.5k KM Mileage on it.

[@johnadair6108]

Be on the alert for this move. My insurance company (Amica) tried to value my vehicle based on the three lowest-cost vehicles they could find. Then tried to devalue it further by deducting interior damage that had occurred in the accident! So to recap, their top number is based on sub-par vehicles. They then take the price down further for any defects in the totaled vehicle! Oh, and they do not reimburse for Tax, tags etc which is significant. When I sent proof that their valuation was very low they said that's because they use ACV (actual cash value) which does not include any dealer profit. LOL!...talk about bad faith!

[@bassethound7133]

This is great information. But also remember - Depending on your policy you may have an actual cash value coverage - you may have a replacement cost coverage. Actual cash value includes the supposed amount a dealership may invest in a specific vehicle before selling it on their lot. Replacement cost is a great coverage to have because there are no dealer refurbishment costs deducted from the value and the insurance will often run the value as if your vehicle is newer with less miles. Check with your agent what coverages you have before getting upset at the person doing their job. You not knowing what your policy covers is the agent’s fault, not the adjuster.

[@masoncitylimitscomedyclub4394]

I did just this with my total 2001 Buick LeSabre. Found 6 cars, same year / make / model and similar milage. Averaged all 6 together and stated that even if I would negotiate a 15% discount, I'd still be paying over $600 more than the offer. This was their response: "The difference in what we offered and what you are seeing as the asking price is actual cash value and replacement costs. We owed based on the actual cash value based on year make model and mileage prior to this claim and not what the asking price is in the current market."

[@michaelcaddell8520]

Well that’s bullshit. I hope that doesn’t happen with my situation.

[@TryMyMartini]

That is absolute bullshit. The point is that they need to "make you whole", meaning whatever it costs to replace what you had, is what they need to give you.

[@EvansWS6]

@@michaelcaddell8520 Did it?

[@leelee3995]

Excellent video. Very helpful

[@bmanscire]

Iit hasn’t been this simple at all!! I’ve done all this and they are still low balling me. I am going to have to get an arbitrator now.

[@sebastianavila-ch3bd]

What if there’s not any vehicles like mine in my area? With the same make model year trim condition and miles

[@williambyer4442]

You are SOOOO smart...and what a mensch !

[@sawyer3119]

Thank you for this brother

[@siddheshrahate5179]

This was very helpful. The settlement price includes the taxes on the sale of similar vehicle in my area, right?

[@gdn86]

yes, sales tax is added based on the AVC. so whatever your state sales tax is X the actual cash value.

[@TheHandHistoryVault]

A teen pulled out in front of me over a week ago. Their insurance worked fast, sent to the car to a repair shop. The first estimate was $6,300. They didn't want to fix it, declared it totalled and now offering me $7,300 (2nd offer). They sent me a CCC1 Market Evaluation Report. Insurance said to me, price won't change unless you find similar cars around the same mileage for more money. I literally can't negotiate at all unless I hire an attorney. I'm so screwed. I still had $5k left to pay on the loan. :/

[@olgadmytrenko597]

I also got this CCC report and their calcs are not quite clear. Ive got first offer and responded with my wish, let's see...

[@olgadmytrenko597]

Update. After 2 months, we finally got a fair settlement. Tip, if the CCC report has selectivity bias, keep fighting.

[@TheHandHistoryVault]

@@olgadmytrenko597 Wow took that long huh? Sad.

[@olgadmytrenko597]

@@TheHandHistoryVault it's ok - survived. The most important that it ended fairly.

[@Lifeisgood11_]

Thanks needed this!

[@marlanabeasley1790]

Great video thank you so so much

[@tyrathomas4488]

Great video. Very helpful

[@outrightpainting2203]

Thanks for this information 👌🏾

[@stefanviveen5903]

Wouldn't you negotiate a settlement amount not only based on what a similar car cost at a dealership, but also include their documentation fee, delivery preparation fee, all the other nonsense fees they like to add, as well as any sales tax being charged?

[@MaciasM]

Theres 2 ways to go about it, dealership puts there own price the vehicle. Or you can also get the actual market value of your vehicle. Its between the dealership value vs the market value. Kelly blue book is bullshit. Also its based on your mileage

[@stefanviveen5903]

Update: Now this is in BC, Canada. ICBC (the provincial car insurance company) had a "Market Survey Report" created by a third party called Mitchell. They compared my car, a somewhat rare model Cadillac, to two others from the same model year that were for sale by dealers in Canada in different provinces. They used some formulas to calculate offsets for value differences, like my car had a bigger engine than one it was being compared to, so my car had more value. But another car had less mileage, so my car had less value. With all those pluses and minuses it came to quite an accurate value I have to say of what my car would be listed for at a dealership. Then they added sales tax, and that was the amount they were paying as settlement. They didn't wanted to include dealer fees. In their defense, I think we all know that the amount on the price tag at a dealership leaves room for negotiation, I think that typically leaves some margin to effectively get the dealer fees waived especially if you have no trade-in or am not using their finance offer (it's my understanding that if a dealership offers a zero percent finance or anything like that, it's actually the dealership paying the interest for you). And since they were going by the list price of the two cars and not the actual amount it sold for, I think they were making a very good offer. But I did point out that there was a similar car from a newer model year for sale locally, and when they used that car to compare to mine, they ended up with a higher settlement amount.

[@kingsleynis7942]

what will happen if get the salvage offer and get the car back and fix myself even though some out of pocket expense?

[@Qghostz]

If my car has little bump from accident should just ask for a check instead of taking my car to body shop?

[@airborneranger-ret]

Just liked and subbed. Just did a search for comprable vehicle costs. Thx.

[@Diamond-gv7xw]

Ok I did all of what you suggested. However, here I am a year and a half later going to court to sue the driver for the damage she caused to my car. But my question is this, I live in arizona and I could not file a lawsuit against the insurance. While I am at trial I was told that I could not bring up the problems I had with her insurance. Is that true?

[@grandadz_forge]

Thanks for good advice. I feel like I'm up against a dragon with a wooden sword😅

[@gdn86]

It's not an offer. CCC determines values based on market in your region and the comps you find will most likely be already on the valuation report. If your car was totaled within the last 18 months and going forward for at least a few more months, its worth more than it has or ever will be. You can always find the outliers, but the market is the market, so unless you have done work to the car within the last year that qualifies as more than regular maintence (i.e suspension, radiator/condenser, engine, transmission, tires (they measure the tread), aftermarket additions like nav, remote start, this is all a waste of time. My suggestion is clean the car extensively before taking it for the estimate if it is drivable and you feel like it could be a total loss. The bump you are looking for is always in the condition.

[@user-ee1te8ty8p]

I tried this and the adjusted still said no. Sent emails and still said no we have been back and forth for 3 months now

[@sheliafarmer]

These insurance companies are the now aday MAFIA,

[@byronr748]

honest people are just ripped off by adjusters, what an terrible job....

[@mynameisjeff466]

If you still owe money to the bank. Does the offer they provided have to go straight to the bank first or can it go to you and decided what to give the bank?

[@stefanviveen5903]

In my case, but that was in Canada, I received a cheque that was made out to both me and to the bank with whom the original owner (I was second owner) had a loan, and they left it up to me to decide to pay off that loan or deposit the cheque into my own account.

[@TJ-22]

At what point if the total Los process should one cancel his insurance on that vehicle?

[@ChrisRoxDuhh]

That's what I'm wondering

[@emebethibestu8178]

What about for injury??????

[@chinmeysway]

still vague? there’s legal code that specifies this stuff. learn the codes in your state and hold adjusters and your own process by them.

[@missdefective]

My mom has a loan still on the car that was totaled, would it be reasonable to ask them to pay for the rest of the loan then ask for the $8k they offered?

[@olgadmytrenko597]

The sent me a report on their CCC database comparisons for 12 cars on the market in the area with 100 miles radius. If to ask to use 50 miles radius, it will be 5 cars and the resulting average is much better. Also in their calculations they substract 'condition' amount which is the same for all 12 comparisons. And after averaging is made, they again substract condition value, which they estimated checking my totaled car. Anyhow, even their report looks professionally done, their math looks not clear. I am in a process of negotiating. If anyone here has similar kind of report, I would appreciate some tips

[@jasonkojack9423]

Thank you in the process now can I find sample letters or emails I can copy to send to them?? Also shouldn’t they offer me a rental until I find replacement?? Didn’t get rental on mine but the other persons only allowed 4 days after my first offer. They already found them at fault. How can I or is there any laws about providing a car until I find replacement?? I not asking for 6 months but need more time I know.. Thank you in advance

[@kamiperzsi7495]

The insurance adjuster I'm dealing with told me she was having my vehicle picked up at my house and taken to a " staging place" where an appraiser would look at it I found out a few days later she had it towed to a major online Auction house ( copart) and after a few weeks of her lowballing and using stall tactics I called copart and ask if they kept a log book on sight, they did and at that time no one had come out to inspect my vehicle. She basically totalled my car on her own Unless .. an appraiser is able to totally a car without physical looking at it. Cam it be totalled our by just looking at photos ?

[@gdn86]

Copart sent them the photos, and they do total cars, and yes a total can be achieved from photos. When a car is totaled, how else would you document the process other than photos?

[@kamiperzsi7495]

@@gdn86 actually theu used the photos that copart put up on their website ( Copart has no appraiser, nor any ability to official total a car, thats handled by the appraiser) so they Liberty mutual lied about having " an appraiser go on sight and take high quality photos" instead they used an unqualified salvage yard employee to photograph my car for them I've been told twice now by other auto adjustor that any time they total out a vehicle they must " physically " go on sight but even the state department of insurance is confused about this one. They don't have the answer

[@baddestebony3504]

I’m with Safe co (3rd party of liberty mutual) just off what I told them, & photos they totaled my car! Copart was calling me daily trying to tow my car! The app even said it’s a total loss!

[@chinmeysway]

@@gdn86by someone actually looking at it who’s knowledgeable in mechanics and body work.

[@gdn86]

@@kamiperzsi7495 That would depend on your state specific laws regarding total loss vehicles. There is no requirement for the adjuster/appraiser (these are usually dual licenses) to actually be on site in the state I live in or around my general area, to total a vehicle. Most states I would imagine do not have this requirement. As far as Liberty Mutual stating someone licensed is taking the photos, there is either a gray area there, or they need to modify how they present that portion. I no longer handle total loss vehicles, but I was able to accurately assess them both in person taking the photos myself, or having a shop provide the necessary required photos to do so. I have never totaled a vehicle from Copart photos, but from what I have seen of them, they are usually more consistent in their application of that. Experience is key to this process being efficient and accurate for everyone involved.

[@lianmartinisbuck5580]

Someone explain in California insurance now check computers date from car. Why. They do that

[@tkd540]

Hello, thank you for your content! I have a question, I have a car that I purchased with a salvaged title for two years and I have always wondered what would happen if someone else hits my car and it’s deemed totaled again? Would I get the equivalent amount of a clean title in the same condition and mileage as mine? Thank you so much!

[@j.teshaeetv9447]

No, you would not. While getting a car with a salvage title can be a steal on the price insurance will basically pay you bottom dollar stating the car already wasn’t at market value when it was deemed salvage. Do not expect market value you will not get it.

[@tkd540]

@@j.teshaeetv9447 that makes a lot of sense, thank you very much!

[@terrancecloverfield6791]

Makes me wonder why pay full coverage at all....

[@ourd0gseven]

Well, just incase it is YOUR Fault, then YOU'RE vehicle is Covered!!!!!!!!

[@coleytoons]

Ugh...i wish my mom would have listened to me in January.😤. I am 46 and it never ask to use my moms car if I am going more than like 3 miles if that from where she lives. And it have not lost my driving privileges in any way. Anyway in January I was hit by a 21yr old kid who was found to be at fault. Thankfully nobody was really hurt but I did have several bruises that started to show before we even got a hold of a tow truck driver. My mom has State Farm and lives here in Nevada (Las Vegas) but she only has liability because she can't afford anything more than that since they raised the raits. The other driver has been here for 2 years and also has State Farm full coverage and comprehensive but his car has Maryland plates and thats where this insurance is based. And for whatever reason he didnt have any proof of insurance in the vehicle or the app on his phone with his policy coverage. My moms car was a 2009 Isuzu Rodeo and she had just put new tires on it that she was still paying for a well as some other repairs she had done and was still paying on. It was declared a total loss. Now between the tires and the other repairs work she was still paying off those totaled around $2000. And everything was replaced and or repaired for maybe 4 months 3 of the tires were still perfectly fine but one was ripped off of the wheel and torn. She had also replaced then battery in it about 4 months earlier. She only got $3700.00 from them. Even though I had pictures of the bruises on my legs and my waist from the steering wheel and seatbelt buckle and we submitted them to the insurance adjuster and we asked what I could expect for compensation. All he said was make sure to let them know about it my mom said she told them but I dont know. Anyway I never heard back or received any $$ at all. My mom found another vehicle for like $4,800 and it needs new tires because the ones it came with have like not tread. I can't believe that my mom just took the first offer even though she still owed around $1500 for the tires and repairs she had done on her Rodeo. 😤😡🤬. I live her but she is not one for standing her ground because she thinks she will get nothing if she doesn't accept the first offer and thats with everything. Anyways State Farm messed up when my mom had them remove the Rodeo from her policy and had her replacement vehicle added. They cancelled the whole policy out of nowhere after a month and a half. So now the DMV after sending her a notification that State Farm failed to provide the DMV with proof of insurance her registration has now been suspended. And this happened after she informed stae farm and it was like a week and a half before the deadline. I hope this all gets taken care of without my mom having to pay any fines to the DMV or to State Farm.

[@guitarheroIX]

What do I do if I shared comps of the exact make model and year of my totaled car and the adjuster says they won't accept the comps?

[@gdn86]

If they were within a certain mileage range of your address (usually under 200 miles MAX) they have to consider them legally. If these are outliers like Carmax for example, where pricing is inflated compared to the market, then yes, those would not qualify since they base their pricing nationally in a lot of cases. If they dont sell it in PA, they can ship it to CA to get what they want.

[@guitarheroIX]

@gregdunning9330 the adjuster came back and said he's not entirely sure why they were not accepted but gave me very non specific reasons why like not falling under the parameters they expect. I find that odd because I spoke with him and confirmed what rules I should follow in finding comps and all the cars I've found (very minimal amount in my area) have followed their rules.

[@drzjhoker9339]

My car is 2010 honda accord 😂

[@qt1558]

But wouldn’t the damage from the accident affect the value they’re offering versus when you tell them values you’re seeing other cars were obviously the other cars aren’t damaged?

[@Bone89]

No. It’s the value of ur car before the accident

[@qt1558]

@@Bone89 thanks for the reply :) luckily I felt my settlement was fair… They went over it with me after I wrote on this post… unfortunately some of what I thought would increase value didn’t work in my favor but I am still ok with the offer… Like some of my upgrades, they didn’t count because they said they had to be done within the last six months which is kind of dumb because an upgrade is an upgrade lol

[@kamiperzsi7495]

They have a responsibility to make you "whole again "

[@gdn86]

@@qt1558 what is an upgrade? factory specs has the same value as A/M unless its an actual addition to the vehicle like say: remote start, leather seating vs cloth, bedliner in a trunk bed, hitch receiver, bluetooth/nav in an older veh. Maintence is not an upgrade, and only significant items are counted like tires (tread wear), new condenser/radiator, suspension replacement. etc etc. adding a spoiler can sometimes add a bit, but putting a bunch of rain guards, door edge guards and clear protectors isnt adding value.

[@jmpestsolutions8771]

How does replacing a vehicle work versus getting one totaled out

[@PrecisionInjuryLaw]

At least here in Nevada the insurance company won't replace your vehicle. If your vehicle is totaled out, you should be paid fair market value and the insurance company takes your damaged vehicle. Then you can use the money to buy another vehicle.

[@jmpestsolutions8771]

@@PrecisionInjuryLaw Yup. I learned that. Im also learning about auctiins and a lot of other options. Going to banks and dealerships is just not sustainable with the continuing inflation.

[@GiovanniCuh]

What if the car is not fully paid off yet?

[@nba2010]

If the car is not fully paid off the money you would have gotten for your settlement goes to the lien holder and if you got positive equity then the rest goes to you. If you are upside down then you are responsible for the difference to the lienholder

[@Johnny_Chingas13]

What if you can't find comps in your area?

[@TC-uu8rh]

Google car sales websites. Autotrader, cargurus etc....And imput your year make and model and use 100miles of your zip code and that's your comparables

[@DANIELLE-gq6ct]

This is what I'm dealing with :(

[@petersburgtug6633]

What if they come back with a better valuation once you send comps and there are only 2 vehicles in your state and the average you have to go for a car is over 500 miles.

[@user-ee1te8ty8p]

NADA is biased , ill suggest KBB.

[@gdn86]

KBB doesn't even give you a value. It gives you a range that isn't based on real world pricing other than what NADA, now JD Power, gives you. If you want a real number, go find the closest matches to your vehicle on something like Cargurus and find the average. I'd bet its lower than KBB and closer to the NADA/JD Power number. Or, save the time and consider the former much more accurate. Unless you have an old model that doesn't have much comparable vehicles for sale, this should be accurate.

[@user-ee1te8ty8p]

@@gdn86 KBB does give a value and also a range

[@daymianhayes2493]

Also most advertised vehicle pricing does not include tax, tag, title, and other drealer fees. Is it possible to negotiate to increase the offer to pay for these fees?