2007 Prius totaled, now fighting with insurance..need help

[narf]

Well. the resolution to this mess couldn't have gone better. Once I turned things over to my insurance carrier things went much better. They reinspected the car, once they got to $15,000 in repair costs they decided to total out the car.

Their initial offer (for a 2007 Package 5 Touring with 23,000 on it) was around $23,000). I made the argument that that price was pre-$4.00 gas, and now cars like mine were going for orignal MSRP or more. They did a bit more research (which I think was mostly looking on Autotrader.com) and agreed with me. The result was that that yesterday I signed the papers and will receive a check for within $500 of what I originally paid for the car INCLUDING tax. This was significantly more than I had asked for or expected, and about $7,000 more than the other guy's insurance company had offered. They didn't make me jump through any hoops or provide documented proof of multiple sales like the other company wanted.

This means that my new 2008 Prius Touring package 6 won't cost me a thing, and in fact after the Colorado Rebate I'll end up with some cash in my pocket.

What have I learned?

1. Deal with your own insurance company if you can.
2. Farmers will have my business for life
3. AIG sucks.

[lfwintx]

That's wonderful news! Thanks for telling us how it ended.

[Tammy7287]

That's great to hear. You know the other insurance company was hoping that you'd drop it or not push so hard if you had to all the research yourself.

[patsparks]

Narf, good to hear you got a good outcome.

Rule 1 after an accident is never deal with the other guy's insurance company.
Rule 2, Before an accident always get the best insurance you can afford from the best company.
This is why I have a protected rating 1 with the RAA Insurance which is the best in South Australia and by having my house insured with them I get a further 10% discount. I have all my insurance with them, except the bike because they don't insure bikes over 600cc. That is 3 cars, home and contents. If they did health insurance I go to them for that too.

[echase]

Congradulations on getting a respectable offer.

I am in a similar situation myself, this weekend my wife was rear-ended (she's OK), but it was hit-and-run. We have uninsured motorist coverage, with no deductible, and our company has just totaled the vehicle. I'm waiting for insurance (21st, now owned by AIG) to lowball me, and go through the same process.

I'll be starting a new thread, and appreciate any advice to help in being "mad whole"

[JimboK]

Originally Posted by patsparks

Rule 1 after an accident is never deal with the other guy's insurance company.

That certainly should get results (as Narf can attest to), but after the last wreck I was involved in (10+ years ago), the other party's insurance company seemed to bend over backwards to satisfy. She was drunk and swerved across two lanes before hitting me while I was stopped at a light. Fortunately it was just a glancing blow at low speed (my car was still drivable), and most importantly no one was hurt. But I figured her company was doing swift damage control nonetheless -- and it worked. I got my car fixed promptly at a body shop of my choosing.

[Tdoff1]

j

[ualdriver]

Originally Posted by narf

This means that my new 2008 Prius Touring package 6 won't cost me a thing, and in fact after the Colorado Rebate I'll end up with some cash in my pocket.

A little thread drift but what is the Colorado rebate?

[pdhenry]

Originally Posted by ualdriver

A little thread drift but what is the Colorado rebate?

Colorado -- Alternative Fuel Income Tax Credits

ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE CREDIT
Colorado income tax credits are available for the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle, for a motor vehicle that is converted to use alternative fuel, or for the replacement of the power source with a power source that uses alternative fuel. To qualify, the vehicle must be titled and registered in Colorado. (§39-22-516, C.R.S.)...

Computation of Credit
The credit is a percentage of

a) the difference between the cost of the vehicle and the cost of the same or most similar vehicle that uses a traditional fuel, or
b) the cost incurred in converting the vehicle to an alternative fuel, or
c) the difference between the cost of replacing the power source and the cost of the same or most similar power source that uses a traditional fuel....

Credits Available for Selected Common Vehicles
...
2008 Toyota Prius (Base Grades):
Incremental price difference - $2,370
Tax Credit available $2,015
2008 Toyota Prius (Touring):
Incremental price difference - $3,654
Tax Credit available $3,106

Interesting that they pick up most of the delta between a base and a Touring...

[Doc Willie]

Originally Posted by RhythmDoctor

I, too, used to worry that grey would be too invisible, but never felt that way with these other two cars. I'll have to see if I feel differently inside my invisible Prius.

No car needs to be invisible. Paint, vinyl, and Scotchlite can fix anything. You just have to be willing to use your creativity to find something you will like and be willing to be seen in.

Getting older and not giving a $#!+ what other people think helps.