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Date:   Sat, 24 Jan 2004 11:25:47 -0600
Reply-To:   Michael Ayers <ayers@KRAUSONLINE.COM>
Sender:   Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:   Michael Ayers <ayers@KRAUSONLINE.COM>
Subject:   Westfalia prices
Content-Type:   text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

----- Original Message ----- From: "LOREN BUSCH" <labusch@VERIZON.NET> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Friday, January 23, 2004 11:28 PM Subject: Re: Westfalia prices

Lauren Wrote:

>Don't be in a rush to settle. If your insurance provides a rental (usually >for up to 30 days) take it even if you don't need it. This puts a little >more pressure on the insurance company to settle.

This is very true. The insurance company wants to clear this case and get the paperwork off their desk. The longer you can hold out for an acceptable offer, the more inclined they will be to come up with an acceptable offer.

If after a period of time the insurance company does not come up with an acceptable offer, you can offer to file a complaint with your state insurance regulatory board. Insurance companies hate dealing with complaints to the regulators. ( A trick I learned from my wife when she needed to collect receivables from slow paying health insurance companies.)

> I asked to see the 'comparable sales' that the adjuster was using to come up with his figures.

When my Honda was totaled I looked at their comparables and they had used the lowest comparables they could find. I had no trouble increasing the settlement value by simply presenting them with higher value comparables.

> The adjusters job is to 'make you whole', that is, restore you to what you had (minus your deductible!)

I disagree with Lauren on this point. In my view, the adjuster's job is to get you to settle for the least amount that you will accept and thereby reduce the insurance company's settlement expenses.

One point I would like to add is it makes a big difference if you are negotiating with your own insurance company or the "other guy's" insurance company. If it is your insurance company, a hard-nosed negotiation could cost you more in the long run through higher premiums.

Good luck.

Mike


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