Expert: Charlie Barone - 10/2/2009

Question
Due to a property damage cap the insurance company handling the claim has decided to give me the cash value of my car before it was hit minus the salvage value. The only problem is they are stating my car's salvage value is four thousand dollars when the best offer i have gotten from junk yards is a thousand. The insurance told me to get them something in writing and they would consider an adjustment. Junk yards and I mean all of them will not give me a written quote. Any suggestions?

Answer
You need to turn this around and challenge the insurance company to show you a bid for $4000. Otherwise, they are only guessing based on their willingness to negotiate. I'm unsure what your state regulations are regarding these claims, but again, their response shows me you are not held to their initial offer.