bro is getting shafted by insurance, he's about to enter ranger school - help

[wilholl]

I've worked in the auto insurance industry for over 10 years now. If he wants to press the issue with the value, many of the larger insurance companies use CCC or Mitchell for their vehicle values in a total loss. They should be able to (if they already haven't) provide him with their valuation which should have the comps they used of other vehicles to establish the value. It would also include details for how they rated the condition of the car too (can be up-rated or down-rated). You can review these comps and dispute one or more of them if you feel they are inaccurate (within reason). You also may have the opportunity to find comps of vehicles on your own and bring those to the table with you (again, within reason - similar condition/mileage/options). Usually we just want to see proof to support the value or settlement someone is demanding. May also want to see if the claim rep will offer to front the sales tax (varies by state law).

I'd also try to press the issue of value a little further. Honestly, sounds like he got the ONE bad person at USAA. He should totally make a note of that with a supervisor there, they take customer service and satisfaction very seriously.

Genuinely can't say enough good things about that company.

When my 1998 528i (e39) was totaled in front of my house the insurance company sent me a valuation report. I requested changes where they had made mistakes in their report and they added an additional $1200 to their initial evaluation when it was all said and done.
I did have to provide a receipt for the brand new tires.

[decay]

Another "never had a bad experience with USAA" here. They've had my back every single time. I also advise he escalate.

[BMWManiac]

Thanks, I'll pass it on :)

sidenote, do you have build threads for those two monsters listed in your sig?

It is actually for sale right now.....the build thread link is in there as well:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=356105

The E36 has a build thread somewhere on bf.com....or go to CES Motorsport and I'm the featured car there.

[KIRIEIW]

I think there offering you fair market value. I sold a 5 speed 2000 328i with 85,xxx miles in 2013 for $6500. Car has St Coilover on it, and brand new tires on the stock wheels. The only other modification would be a trunk lid spoiler. Was a very clean car, perfect paint and interior, but I only got one call on the car and it was posted for around 3 weeks. Seeing your car has 60k more miles, I'd take the money and don't fuss much about it. Yes, 330's on Craigslist seem to be listed for 6-8k, but the real question is are they selling? No. There staying posted for months in my area, especially the $6-7k ones.

[Das Delfin]

A couple years ago USAA cut me a check for 3600 for a '95 325i convertible which I had bought not three weeks prior for 2400. I'd be willing to bet your bro's bad experience with the rep had something to do with the fact that he thought they were trying to rip him off.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all of your advice, it was much appreciated and helped my brother (and I) to resolve the whole matter to our satisfaction.

I guess the title of the thread wasn't really representative of the situation; my bad. In the moment that I talked to him right after he spoke with insurance, we were both a little heated up which is when I posted the thread :D The frustration and irritation was more so due to lack of communication than anything else. My brother was able to "escalate" the case and talked to enough managers to get things resolved appropriately. They gave him another $900 for the car for a total of $6800 which I think is great, and we were both happy with. Furthermore, they also agreed to cover the car rental until he was able to buy another car.

Finally, the best part of the story, he bought a '98 M3 coupe, hellrot over dove interior, 70k miles on it with full options. It was owned by another BMW fanatic (who has 5 other bimmers and was selling this to free up funds for an M4) who was incredibly anal about the car's condition. My bro got a backpack full of receipts and records, the last of which was $500 for one of the last brand new entire glove box assemblies to fix the dreaded "glovebox sag" - talk about OCD anal...

So, all in all things ended well. My bro loves the e36m.

Thanks again guys!!!

[BMWManiac]

Funny....I bought my 97 M3 two months out of OBC...they are great cars, just tell him to be careful with the buckles on the ruck sack and duffle bags on the interior!