Auto Insurance Claims/Total lose

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Expert: - 10/20/2010


Question
"I have a jeep rubicon with full coverage and 3k in gap insurance, I also have an extra 15k insurance for all the modifications done to it upgraded everything but the engine, transmission, tourque converter. So tires, bead lock rims, axles, axle shafts, full body roll cage, air compressor on board, tie rod, sway bars front and back, tri link suspension, seatbelts, seats, winch, etc. In the off road community it was apprasied around 28-30k.So I daid for the extra 15k insurance. It has 50k miles on it kbb has it at 19k in perfect condition owe 16k on it. How will they work this? The guy who built it said it was a total lost anyways when he saw it. However there is a possibility some parts can be salvage off it? "

Answer
Hello,

I don't know how your policy is set up, but by your discription with the gap the loan will be paid off and you will get the additional $15k.

As for removing parts, I don't believe the insurance company will let you touch the vehicle or they will not pay you.

With 20 years of claims handling I have never seen where an insured was allowed to remove parts once the vehicle was a total loss.

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I was just wondering if you spoke with the insurance company in referrence as to if they told you that you could remove any parts. As I stated, it has been my experience this was never allowed, because in most instances they anticipate selling the vehicle for salvage and any removal of parts lessens the price they get for the vehicle at auction.


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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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