TOTAL LOSS SETTLEMENT TIPS
What should you do when you are dealing with a total loss?
We get so many questions every day from people involved in an accident where their vehicle was totaled and they are now getting a low offer from the insurance company and just don’t know what to do next.
We always tell them that it is always a negotiation and that they have to fight and prove their points with the information we are revealing below today!
We’ve put together some total loss settlement tips to get you moving in the right direction on your auto claim.
Read below to find out our best total loss settlement tips and how to get your offer up just by taking the right steps and doing the right research!
OUR BEST TOTAL LOSS SETTLEMENT TIPS
1. Release your vehicle to the insurance company immediately upon their request.
This simple step will save you a lot of money in storage charges. If the insurance company is storing the vehicle, there are normally no charges, but if you leave the vehicle at a shop or tow yard, you will be responsible for the storage charges and they will be subtracted from your total loss settlement.
Many people have concerns over this, but don’t worry, you are the owner of the vehicle, and the company can’t do anything to it except hold it until your property claim is resolved.
2. Request documentation on the calculated value of your vehicle.
This will be one of a few different things, depending on the company. Most companies use either “CCC” or “ADP” to evaluate the market value of your vehicle.
If the company doesn’t use one of these programs, then they will most likely utilize N.A.D.A. split value as a starting point for your vehicle’s value. Remember, no matter what the initial total loss settlement offer is, you can negotiate it.
3. Don’t get upset!
After the insurance company has made an offer on your vehicle, they have the right to terminate rental. If you were in a rental car, the company will most likely advise you to turn it in, and that they will pay no more rental (regardless of whether their offer is fair).
4. Inquire about loss of use in lieu of rental.
Essentially, loss of use is a cash out option in lieu of rental car expenses. Sometimes, you can get both rental and loss of use.
5. Ask about diminution of value.
Depending on the State where your claim occurred, and whether your claim is a “First Party” or “Third Party” claim (see definition page), you may be entitled to a cash settlement for the actual or inherent loss of value in your vehicle due to it being involved in a crash, especially if you are retaining your vehicle.
6. Ask about registration fees.
You paid for your vehicle to be registered, so is there still time left on your sticker? Ask the insurance company to reimburse you for the unused portion of your registration.
Also, ask them to pay for title transfer fees and applicable taxes if they don’t offer them up. Many companies will wait to see if you ask instead of paying what they owe.
7. Negotiate the salvage value.
If you want to keep your totaled vehicle, then the insurance company will estimate how much it would have brought at a salvage auction and reduce your claim by that amount.
Essentially, there is a material damage specialist that is “guessing” about how much your wrecked vehicle will bring at auction.
Call them out on the salvage value and request that they provide you with a salvage bid from a reputable auction/salvage company, or at least require that they provide documentation on how they arrived at the salvage value (should consist of a list of similarly wrecked vehicles and the price for which they sold at auction, then negotiate for the lowest amount).
8. Find out what you can get for your wrecked car!
We have relationships with buyers that are looking to buy your wrecked car! Reach out to us and have the insurance company provide you with a few things to get a quote on what they will pay for your total loss:
– A damage estimate
– A Salvage Retention Offer from the insurance company
– Photos of the vehicle in its current condition exterior and interior (normally the insurance company can provide photos of the vehicle that they took upon inspection)
If you send that info to us, we can reach out to our buyer and get a quote for you. The best vehicles to submit are newer model vehicles (2012 and up) but we can check on any vehicle you send!
We can provide you with steps you can take to fight against the low offers they routinely shell out to victims of auto accidents and are always here to give you a free claim consultation to discuss with one of the top experts in the field of auto insurance claims so you can get the answers you deserve and that many in the industry try to hide from you or lie to you about!
All we need is a copy of the valuation you received so we can look it over and see if the offer you are getting is fair or downright dirty!
Don’t delay – sign up today!
We get daily requests from people just like you who don’t know where to turn when fighting about the value of their total loss so we are here to help!
To get the best help, follow the directions below depending on your situation so we can help you the best….
Are you fighting the carrier of someone who caused the accident?
If you DO NOT have your own FULL COVERAGE insurance, follow the link below so we we can give you the best and quickest help!