Rolled the truck...(pics)

kodiakisland · Jul 15, 2017

DVexile said: ↑

If you read the story carefully it was USAA screwing the person the USAA customer hit - not the USAA customer themselves.
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Yeah, I noticed that the first time I read it. Just seems odd that a company would be substantially different in how it handles claims.
Besides, I don't know why someone would deal direct with someone else's insurance. I have my insurance company deal with the other. That's what I pay them for. It'd be like using your wife's lawyer for your divorce.

redcon · Jul 16, 2017

DVexile said: ↑

If you read the story carefully it was USAA screwing the person the USAA customer hit - not the USAA customer themselves.
Click to expand...

Throughout the last couple of claims I've had (my wife, actually, neither accident her fault) USAA treated us pretty badly. I called to complain each time as 30-year members. Wasn't too impressed with their response or level of caring.

brapp_kid7 · Jul 16, 2017

Dang poor taco. But glad your ok bud!

DVexile · Jul 16, 2017

redcon said: ↑

Throughout the last couple of claims I've had (my wife, actually, neither accident her fault) USAA treated us pretty badly. I called to complain each time as 30-year members. Wasn't too impressed with their response or level of caring.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. Haven't had to make a claim myself in a long time so your recent feedback is helpful!

Evans381 · Jul 17, 2017

jboudreaux1965 said: ↑

It would be kind of hard to list each experience (good/bad) for each company, but feel free to ask me anything. PM or otherwise.

USAA in particular is VERY reluctant to pay out. They also frequently use another shady tactic when a medium value vehicle is involved. What they have a history of doing is this...

Lets say you have a 2005 Tacoma Quad Cab TRD Sport Prerunner. NADA value is currently roughly about $13,000.

A USAA insured vehicle rear ends you. You have maybe $4,000 in damage! You have bent bumper cover, maybe draw-tie scuffed and bent, bumper cover bent, frame ok but needs to be checked and dented bumper cover slammed into bed and tailgate causing scratches and minor dents.

What they do is "recommend for your convenience" go to one of their partner body shops to do the estimate (instead of an adjuster!)

Now the body shop inflates the estimate. You ask... why the hell would an insurance company want to inflate an estimate on a claim that they are going to pay????

SIMPLE! So they can "total loss the truck". Now, why would they want to do that? Doesn't that mean they have to pay me more???? Not really

They depreciate the hell out of the truck, try to say its worth $13,000 as per NADA in mint condition, they value it at $7,000. Their estimator (not adjuster) estimated damages at $15,000 because the bed, the tailgate, the frame, the draw-tie all has to be replaced... etc....

So they offer $7,000 for your $13,000 truck that could actually be repaired by a legit shop for about $4000

You ask, how does any of this make any since?

Its simple. They offer you $7,000 cash and you hand over the truck, (which they will sell at auction for probably $5000+) OR they give you $2,000, you keep the truck with salvage title.

What the average person does not know is how bad they just got screwed if they accept a salvage title! Now, you have a salvage title, IT WILL BE EXTREMELY HARD or EXPENSIVE to get full coverage on that truck ever again!

Now, either way, they pay out $2,000-$3,000 in the end for a $4,000 claim. The average person in this situations thinks... "if this is my only options I am keeping my truck and taking the $2,000".

If the average owner protests, USAA will then say "that is our only offer, take it or leave it!" The average owner will submit because they feel helpless. You are not! You do not have to accept any settlement. If you are not happy, just keep asking to speak to the manager in charge of whoever you are speaking with. If they put you in a corner, (which is the entire goal) to where you need your truck to go to work and you feel like you must accept their offer and you do not have the means to fight it, you can tell USAA to screw off and file the claim under your insurance. Your insurance company will pay what it take for proper repairs to be made and file a lawsuit against USAA to recoup damages.

A few tips...

#1. NEVER agree to let a shop recommended by the insurance company do an estimate. ALWAYS insist on an adjuster come out and access damages, create an estimate of damages and then issue a check in the amount of the estimate. (if you have a lien holder the check will be made out to both you and the bank)

#2. If the company tries to tell you that #1 is not an option, just know that it is your decision, not theirs! In my personal life, dealing with my own claims, one time a person insured by USAgencies rear-ended me. First off, I do my own repairs, I intended on doing my own repairs and I did do full repairs! They kept hassling me about picking a shop to have estimate done. I insisted an adjuster come out and do an estimate. The adjuster came out, did an estimate, gave me a copy and said let us know when you pick a shop. I kept saying that I had not decided, they kept dragging their feet. Although I know by law they can not do this, it was taking way too long! I looked up their approved list. A friends shop was not on it. I figured what the hell... Called USAgencies, told them I picked a shop and gave the name. They were kind of pissed I did not pick their shop, but issued a check in my name the same day (no lien holder). Friend said they never called. So I guess if they hassle you that much just name a shop lol!

#3. Don't be scared! A check is not a "settlement". (if you sign a settlement letter, that IS a settlement, but cashing a check is NOT). If the adjuster comes out and does an estimate, says it looks like there is $5,000 damage. You have a $1,000 deductible. Here is a check for $4,000. Have a great day Mr. Bob! If the mechanic starts work and finds additional damage, either the adjuster has to go back out to reinspect or just issue a check for the additional damages.

#4. Doing your own repairs.... YES they owe you for labor. If you get in an accident and the adjuster's estimate states that you need parts X, Y and Z replaced and the national average labor hours to replace parts X, Y, and Z is 20 hrs at $50/hr they owe you $50/hr. NOW, understand, in general, it takes the average person 2 hrs to complete the work a skilled mechanic can do in 1 hr. You do not get paid for that extra hour it took you! LOL! YES, it has come up before

Hope you could follow all of this and hope it helps...

---- edit ----
Forgot to mention this. EVEN IF the best shop in town is on their list and you plan to use them, NEVER let them do the assessment! Always have an adjuster do an estimate , tell the adjuster you have not decided who you will use and have them issue a check to you and you pay the shop once repairs are completed! Trust me, save alot of hassle and you can make sure everything was done correctly or you do not pay the shop!

Do know, there is a database! If you accept that check, and do not repair damages, and you file another claim, that adjuster can pull up your previous claim. Pictures and all! If there is any doubt that previous repairs were not made correctly they WILL ask for receipts and proof before issuing payment for a second claim! If you do your own repairs, do what I do (actually I do it everytime a turn a wrench) make sure you have setup a camera to record video or take still pics of repairs and always save receipts!
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Hey KEN, Thanks for posting some great advice but if it wouldn't be too much trouble would you mind giving me some pointers or just a heads coup about what the convo will be like when it comes to the actual settlement. Like I said earlier in a few posts back I listed everything about my truck and their current offer is $13,600.. I felt that was fair but if I tell them I can't find another model for that price and counter with $15,000, I believe I should be able to get more. What are your thoughts? 2006 super white prerunner dcab with 135k miles and brand new Toytec Ultimate coilovers, $500 Kenwood head unit....
Im about to call now just to get an idea of where we stand but if it does come to her asking if I'm ready to settle I believe theres no harm vin asking maybe 15,600 to start a little higher. Please get back to me asap and thank you a million brother.

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Rolled the truck...(pics)

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