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Question
what will my insurance company do for me now that my car was totaled in a accident.The fault is on the other driver how do I get another car to replace the one I lost. What are the procedures to look for
Hello,
In all honesty, you have not given me all details about your claim, but that is OK. The best information you can get as it is tailored specifically to your situation is to contact your agent. If you do not have an agent, speak with your insurance company's claim department.
As far as replacement, they will give you blue book or market price on the vehicle. I have never known an insurance company to go to the effort of replacing a vehicle.
You may find the amount you receive is less than what you have in the vehicle and there is no recourse.
People that buy salvage vehicles love the deal they got unless the vehicle is totalled. They think they will get full market value for the car only to find it is worth 30-40% less than a non-branded car.
As for procedures of buying a replacement vehicle, there is nothing credible that I see out there that gives that type of info. I guess the best thing to do is find a vehicle you like and check out the title history first by going through carfax.com. This is not as comprehensive as one would like it to be, but it is a starting point to determine if the vehicle has ever been branded from a theft, fire, flood or collision.
Drive the car. See if it drives good on the highway. If the brake pedal pulsates, it probably needs hundreds in brake work. Check all fluids. If the coolant is brown and rust colored,STAY AWAY!!!! That tells you the engine has been over heated. Remove the transmission dip stick (If applicable. The fluid should be red in color. Smell it--if it smells burned, could be a potential for a transmission overhaul. With the engine off, check the oil level and consistency of the oil. It should be clear on the stick. If black and clumpy, stay away because the engine has not been maintained. Check underneath for leaks. Seepage is OK, but if oil is built up and leaks, have a mechanic look at the car.
Insurance companies will give you discounts for air bags, anti-lock brakes and even a factory installed "Anti-Theft" system. What they forget to tell you is that if your car is ever stolen, your theft claim will never be paid because according to the insurance companies and the experts that work independently for them, it is "impossible" to steal the vehicle. In the event the replacement car does get stolen, then you would go to our site http://www.autotheftexpert.com for assistance.
I hope I assisted in answering your questions.
Rob
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Answers by Expert:
Rob Painter, Ase, CFEI, CAFATE
Expertise
Please remember. I am not an attorney and cannot legal advice. My answers are based on my experience due to litigation I have been involved in as an expert, for both insurance companies and while oposing them opposing them. I deal with only comprehensive claims on autos related to fire and theft. I have even had the opportunity to rewrite policy coverage language as it relates to vehicle theft and forced entry for insurance defense attorneys.
Experience
Experience in the area: Working with insurance companies and attorneys on these issues for over 20 years. It is very common to have a reported stolen car with a so-called factory anti-theft system to have the theft claim denied. I have served successfully as an expert witness in the courts across the US representing the insured and their attorney revealing that the insurance expert did not take all known theories into consideration before rendering their "Forensic" conclusion. Many insurance carriers us independent "Forensic" experts to examine reported stolen vehicles commonly using flawed methodology implicating the innocent insured with the theft. My job is to determine if the insurance expert reached his conclusions based on accepted scientific principals or just net opinion with no basis other than opinion. My case record against such experts is very compelling.My resume can be seen at the catagory "Auto Theft and Prevention." In "Forensics" the scientific method must be employed. In the forensic locksmith field determining how a reported stolen vehicle was last operated, many processes cannot be duplicated and are conveniently not addressed. If they were, juries would have the opportunity to make a fair and impartial opinion at least about what the expert could or could not prove. There is a purported process determining the last key used. The chances of determining such is very rare uless the key is found in the ignition lock. Experts commonly destroy evidence as well and are rarely questioned on this event. I reveal the weakness in their testimony on such instances.
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