Expert: Bennie719 - 5/2/2008

Question
My husbanded was rearended while yeilding to traffic during a left hand turn.  The other driver was 100% at fault and was not even looking at the road, so he never hit the break.  
The frame was warped, along with alot of bed, tow package, bumper damage.  When we got the estimate there was damage left off, alot of repair instead of replace, and junk yard parts on the quote.  Our vehicle was a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab 4x4, in very good condition with lots of extras and under 100,000 miles.  
After trying to talk to them, and running into a brick wall husband told them they could talk to our lawyer.  An hour later we get a call with this offer.
- 15, 365.75 (vehicle totaled)to go towards the loan
- leaving us owing 550.00, but we did have gap insurance
- they will also cover the replacement of 2 carseats, our cooler, and 1/2 day missed work for husband.  All totaling about 500.00.  
- they will let us keep the rental car for one more week

Is this a good offer?  DH was bruised, but not seriously injured so we are just trying to get what the other driver destroyed.  Shouldn't we get Reimbursment for our investment or something so we can actually put a down payment on a decent vehicle that would be comparable to ours?
thanks

Answer
Hi Elizabeth,
Since the truck is being totaled, you are entitled to it's fair market value.
To be sure that you are being offered a fair value you need to go to the following sites and do a 50 mile radius search from your zip code for the same year, make, model, mileage, condition and extra equipment.

If you find the truck is selling for more than you are being offered, make 6-10 hard prints of the trucks that you find and present this to the insurance company as a counter offer.

Go to:   www.kbb.com    www.nada.com   www.edmunds.com   and  www.autotrader.com

I hope you find this information helpful.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area