Hello, we are in the middle of trying to get a claim processed for hail damage that totaled a Toyota. We have Pro**essive. And we feel they have not been fair with us about getting our car fixed.
We wanted to keep this car for the long haul, even though it was bought for my highschooler. She’s now in college and still loves the car. We paid $22k in 2022 and it is a 2018 model. It was used but with one other private owner, no damage (just smoke/burns in the back seat), and low mileage. It was/has been perfect for us. The only issue was that the cvt on this model of Toyota has been giving other people issues and Toyota has not recalled it. You just have a brick if it happens. That had me worried a little as we dint find out until after we got it.
Last summer she was out to eat and a hail storm rolled through the city. We called the rep out to see what it would take to fix the body damage, and was given a $5,959 check to fix. We took it to two shops and both said no, that $16/17k to fix. One shop had the rep come back out and they said the car would be totaled. Now the options are to fix, or buy back the car and leave it and just drive as is. That settlement check is $5910. So, less than the original check to fix and we have a salvaged car with that option.
It just feels like we’re being totally screwed by the ins company. Any suggestions as to how to navigate this?
Feels like we’re being taken by a three card monte guy on a corner by the auto insurance, please help.
byu/Mitzukai_9 inpersonalfinance
Posted by Mitzukai_9
6 Comments
That’s some classic insurance BS right there – they lowball the repair estimate hoping you’ll just take it and run. Get your own adjuster if you can afford it, they’ll fight for the actual replacement value. Also check if your state has any insurance commissioner complaints process, sometimes just filing one gets them to play nicer
How bad is the hail damage? Is the car driveable? What are the exact terms on your insurance? And just to be clear, have they given you $6k or $12k so far?
If you want them to give you more, they should have a pathway through which you can dispute the claim. If all else fails, your state has an insurance board you can appeal to, though you might deem that not worth it since you might have to get lawyers involved.
What did the insurance company say when given the two repair quotes?
Did you get a PDR(paintless dent repair) quote?
Why are you fixing hail damage on a 2018? Pocket the $6,000 and drive it with the dents.
You need to find comps in your area, So look for other near matches (Year, Make, Model, options, same-iosh mileage) to your vehicle and see what they cost to buy. Provide those examples as reason why the price for the vehicle is too low.
Also what does KBB say the car is worth, without the damage.