Best way to fight an insurance company

[Cliche Guevara]

Some of you know that I recently totalled my E30 trying to avoid a deer. Right now I'm in the process of dealing with my insurance company, trying to get them to acknowledge the the true value of the car, or at least something close. It's an 89 alpine 325is with 91k miles on the clock. It has a Magnoflow exhaust, Z3 ssk, Bilstein HDs, Eibach springs, euro bumper trim and grills, "is" side skirts, Reiger Infinity lip and splitter, detextured valances, Einstein's keyless entry, and 17" Beyern wheels. The body was very straight with only one small ding on the driver's door, zero rust anywhere, and the interior was pretty damn clean. All the electronics are in perfect working order and the engine still runs great even after the crash.

Their first estimate for the value was $2,945. In looking through their valuation I noticed that the car was devalued because it has a 5-speed rather than an auto. That made me laugh and then get really mad. So, my question to r3v is what can I do to convince them of the true market value of my car? I've already scoured craigslist and autotrader and sent links to ads of similar E30s selling much higher than that to my adjuster. Is there anything else I can do? Hiring an appraiser is something I'm open to if they don't budge on their estimate.

[Unearth078]

print out ads of similar condition cars, and send statements, and then realize there is no winning when you totaled your 91k e30.

[Cliche Guevara]

print out ads of similar condition cars, and send statements, and then realize there is no winning when you totaled your 91k e30.

Made me lol. Then cry a little.

[freeride53]

Wow that is terrible.
Guys here have gotten ~$7k for their high-mileage e30s...
When my car got tapped 2 Decembers ago, the appraiser valued my 215,000 mile 318i for $5500..... and didn't total it, and gave me a $1300 check for a quarter-sized dent in my rear quarter corner....

[nando]

you need an appraiser that specializes in older cars, and receipts, and photographs, and comparable sales.

I actually washed my busted ass car before the insurance adjuster came to appraise it. At the time, I had about 190,000 miles. I got $7,000 to repair it. I had an entire binder of receipts, a CD with photographs, and as many comparable cars as I could find.

[Cliche Guevara]

I'm certainly open to hirign an appraiser. A month or so ago someone here made a thread urging people to get their E30s appraised because he got fucked over by his insurance company. I had just recently gotten all those aesthetic mods done and was about to start looking for an appraiser when I crashed it..

[nando]

I paid $90 for the appraiser. the initial value was like $3000, because they couldn't even find an E30 to compare it with (they found a couple 190k '92 325i's, which as you can imagine, are worthless). $90 for a 4,000 return, I think that was worth it :D

[twistednut]

Who knows but this might help. http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Ca...r-Sedan/Values

[Cliche Guevara]

That's interesting. I'm curious how they go about determining those values and why it's so drastically different from what my insurance company came up with.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Your insurance company views it as a 22 year old car. Nothing more.

[///schwartzman]

Next time get an agreed value policy. If the accident wasn't your fault get an attorney, it helps even against your own insurance.

For valuation, usually pics and receipts for upgrades you've made to the vehicle should be submitted to the insurance at least annually, so they can't argue what is insured in the event of an accident or something, but you can submit copies of your receipts even after an accident. Another good bet is to get as many current local sales figures for your model car with about the same mileage ala eBay to establish market value.

I had a highly modified VW Corrado VR6 and they offered me $3600 based on miles & KBB. I countered with receipts, PayPal receipts, and 3 current comparable sales and got $9800. Good luck!

HTH

[E30 Memorial]

Jeff has some good insurance info on his website.

http://www.hauryscollision.com/insurance-info/

[BlackbirdM3]

I'm certainly open to hirign an appraiser. A month or so ago someone here made a thread urging people to get their E30s appraised because he got fucked over by his insurance company. I had just recently gotten all those aesthetic mods done and was about to start looking for an appraiser when I crashed it..

That would be me. Ask around and find a good appraiser. The insurance company will hire one who will go out and screw you, so its in your best interest to find a good one. It might be worth trying to contact a localish BMWCCA chapter to see if they can point you in the right direction. Getting screwed by the insurance company sucks. As far as I can tell, the only insurance you get after years of paying the bills and not using them is the fact that they will screw you in the end.

Will

[Cabriolet]

$2,945 is disgraceful! a 325i at 91K is worth $6-7k. i have a list of over 50 e30s being sold on CL since Jan and only cars that need maintenance and are over 180k are below 3k. Take nothing less than 6000 from them.

[89AlpineM3]

+1 for an agreed value policy. My parents 75 and 76 2002's have them along with my 89 M3.