Dave I
We have a heavily damaged 2006 Prius, that is 8 weeks old. We were hit from behind by an Insured motoist and the damages by the adjuster are estimated at $17,500. The word from the body shop is that the car will be "totaled". What are my options to get the replacement value of a NEW Prius, approx $26K, instead of the depreciated value that I'm thinking the Ins. co. will offer me?
Thanks.
Answer
Something is very fishy. A 2005 Prius with 12000 miles on it has a retail book value of $26050. according to Kelly Blue Book.
A 2006 with less than say 2500 miles would be at least that and more.
The $17500 estimate by the adjuster is less than the industry 85% standard for a total. Not knowing the items damaged on your car, I am sure that the adjuster has put a notation on the estimate that there will most likely be additional damage found if repairs are done that will push the repairs over the 85% figure.
Assuming that to be the case, then the very least that the adjuster should be offering you is in the neighborhood of $22800. as a settlement value on the car. Since the 2005 is still valued at $26050 in excellent condtion then a 2 month old 2006 should book at at least the same. Very good arguement to demand full replacement. PERIOD. Contact a good accident attorney (one that is not affraid to go for the jugular) and ask him to write a letter to the company indicating that it is a demand for payment of the full value of the car. Additionally, have him write a letter to the insurance company of the person that hit you. Same type of letter -- demand for immediate replacement.
If your insurance company does not want to cough up the full price let them know that you are very internet savvy and will spread the news that they are a lousy company that do not do right by their insureds. The same goes for the insurance company of the person that hit you.
Then really get serious. Have your attorney set in motion an action against the person that hit you freezing all of his assets.
Real Estate, other autos, any personal property and liquid assets, retirement accounts and bank accounts.
If ANYONE WAS HURT!!! Go for the jugular. DO WAIT FOR THE TWO INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DO A PATTY PATTY BEHIND YOUR BACK.
And turn your attorney loose.
Something is very fishy. A 2005 Prius with 12000 miles on it has a retail book value of $26050. according to Kelly Blue Book.
A 2006 with less than say 2500 miles would be at least that and more.
The $17500 estimate by the adjuster is less than the industry 85% standard for a total. Not knowing the items damaged on your car, I am sure that the adjuster has put a notation on the estimate that there will most likely be additional damage found if repairs are done that will push the repairs over the 85% figure.
Assuming that to be the case, then the very least that the adjuster should be offering you is in the neighborhood of $22800. as a settlement value on the car. Since the 2005 is still valued at $26050 in excellent condtion then a 2 month old 2006 should book at at least the same. Very good arguement to demand full replacement. PERIOD. Contact a good accident attorney (one that is not affraid to go for the jugular) and ask him to write a letter to the company indicating that it is a demand for payment of the full value of the car. Additionally, have him write a letter to the insurance company of the person that hit you. Same type of letter -- demand for immediate replacement.
If your insurance company does not want to cough up the full price let them know that you are very internet savvy and will spread the news that they are a lousy company that do not do right by their insureds. The same goes for the insurance company of the person that hit you.
Then really get serious. Have your attorney set in motion an action against the person that hit you freezing all of his assets.
Real Estate, other autos, any personal property and liquid assets, retirement accounts and bank accounts.
If ANYONE WAS HURT!!! Go for the jugular. DO WAIT FOR THE TWO INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DO A PATTY PATTY BEHIND YOUR BACK.
And turn your attorney loose.
How to maintain a car properly?
Mr.Yoos
My maintainance activity is:
add oil to engine when the level is low.
Check reservoir and radiator if there is a leak. (I only use water for both reservoir and rad)
Check tire pressure every two days
Check brake fluid and power steering fluid (brake fluid gets lower faster than PS)
Clean the body and interior
Clean reachable parts of the engine
and that's pretty much it. Am I doing it right? Is there something wrong with my brake or is it really like that? What are your recommendations?
Btw, I have a 3.1TDi Bighorn 3DR version from '95 (yes turbo)
Answer
With all do respect, here is a list of car care items we would do differently:
#1. Change engine oil and filter as per manufactures suggestion when the mileage is do.
#2. Have an inexpensive *cooling system pressure test which will find any external or internal coolant leaks. Make repairs where necessary. By a $5.00 antifreeze tester at any auto parts store. *If and when the coolant is low, fill with 100% manufacturers (brand of car) antifreeze, till the coolant tests -35 below zero Fahrenheit. Never mix discount store antifreeze with factory suggested chemical type as listed in the specifications pages of your glove compartment manual. When you use water to adjust your freeze point always use distilled water from any grocery store.
#3. The more times you check air pressure the more air you'll loose when the tires are stone cold. If loss of air pressure is a problem, look in your phone book for a private mechanic, new car dealer or tire shop who offers *nitrogen tire filling after they bleed off all the air that is in them now. Ask them to fill the tires the following way: Jot down the maximum tire pressure listed on the tires. Under that pressure list the pressure inside the drivers door. Add the two pressures and divide by two. This is the pressure you want the tires inflated to.
#4.* If you want the entire engine compartment cleaned good as new, take the car to a wand-type car wash. Raise the hood and hot soap spray the entire engine compartment. Rinse when done.
#5. Call the dealer of the car and ask them the mileage at which the automatic or standard transmission fluid should be *changed, not flushed.
#6. Walmart sells Stoners Glass Cleaner. It's not expensive and works like a charm. Use folded news-papers to rub the glass dry. * Use Stoners sparingly!
#7. Rotate the tires as per the manufactures instructions in the glove compartment manual every time you change the oil
#8. As you rotate the tires, look at the brake pad thickness through the center of the caliper inspection hole.
#9. Every 60.000 miles have the brake fluid changed by the dealer of the car! Moisture from the atmosphere enters the master cylinder vent hole since the car rolled off the production line. As moisture accumulates it causes the brake lines to rust from the inside out, wheel-cylinders and brake calipers to freeze and lower the boiling point of the brake fluid. Lexus now recommends changing the brake fluid every two years regardless if mileage in there cars.
*We have been cleaning engine compartments 47 years, using this exact method. We've never had a re-start issue after cleaning the engine and entire compartment.
With all do respect, here is a list of car care items we would do differently:
#1. Change engine oil and filter as per manufactures suggestion when the mileage is do.
#2. Have an inexpensive *cooling system pressure test which will find any external or internal coolant leaks. Make repairs where necessary. By a $5.00 antifreeze tester at any auto parts store. *If and when the coolant is low, fill with 100% manufacturers (brand of car) antifreeze, till the coolant tests -35 below zero Fahrenheit. Never mix discount store antifreeze with factory suggested chemical type as listed in the specifications pages of your glove compartment manual. When you use water to adjust your freeze point always use distilled water from any grocery store.
#3. The more times you check air pressure the more air you'll loose when the tires are stone cold. If loss of air pressure is a problem, look in your phone book for a private mechanic, new car dealer or tire shop who offers *nitrogen tire filling after they bleed off all the air that is in them now. Ask them to fill the tires the following way: Jot down the maximum tire pressure listed on the tires. Under that pressure list the pressure inside the drivers door. Add the two pressures and divide by two. This is the pressure you want the tires inflated to.
#4.* If you want the entire engine compartment cleaned good as new, take the car to a wand-type car wash. Raise the hood and hot soap spray the entire engine compartment. Rinse when done.
#5. Call the dealer of the car and ask them the mileage at which the automatic or standard transmission fluid should be *changed, not flushed.
#6. Walmart sells Stoners Glass Cleaner. It's not expensive and works like a charm. Use folded news-papers to rub the glass dry. * Use Stoners sparingly!
#7. Rotate the tires as per the manufactures instructions in the glove compartment manual every time you change the oil
#8. As you rotate the tires, look at the brake pad thickness through the center of the caliper inspection hole.
#9. Every 60.000 miles have the brake fluid changed by the dealer of the car! Moisture from the atmosphere enters the master cylinder vent hole since the car rolled off the production line. As moisture accumulates it causes the brake lines to rust from the inside out, wheel-cylinders and brake calipers to freeze and lower the boiling point of the brake fluid. Lexus now recommends changing the brake fluid every two years regardless if mileage in there cars.
*We have been cleaning engine compartments 47 years, using this exact method. We've never had a re-start issue after cleaning the engine and entire compartment.
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