Another Phoon Down, need some info

[cincy-ty]

As i posted before, my phoon and I were at a stoplight when a multi-car accident sent a Ford ranger into my tailgate at about 40mph. Needless to say it was a bad way to start the morning. This all happened at the end of september and I'm still waiting for Progressive to work things out. At first my agent said it was fixable, but when the repair total went past $9000 they ended up totaling it. This is where I need some help. The person who was at fault has progressive also, and her agent has been "trying" to come up with a "fair" value for my baby. Since i live in Ohio, he says that the value is derived from the average sale price of similar autos sold at car dealers. Does this sound right? So far he has only found two Phoons sold at dealers, One for $9000 and one for $11000. So he values my Phoon at $10000. Who knows what shape these other two were in, but mine was in Very good condition inside and out, and had 105,000 miles. Did anyone else out there buy their truck used from a dealer? If so, can you tell me where, and the price you paid so that this guy can get the value of my truck closer to what i think it was worth. Any help is appreciated, cause I am still paying on my loan and at 10,000 I wont be able to even buy my truck back from salvage. If all goes well I will have a phoon powered something or other by spring. Sorry for the long winded story, but its day 50 since the wreck and it makes me sick to think that winter is coming and my phoon is still under a tarp with no windows.

Thanks everyone, and for the folks with the lists scratch off 93 Ty # 0102

 

[MyTyphoon1993]

Try the kelly blue book, and nada.com . Hope that helps you.

 

[cincy-ty]

Thanks, I've already done both (11,650) but according to Progressive the only numbers that matter for totaled vehicles in ohio are the average dealer sale prices. If he cant find higher sales then I get $10000 no matter what the blue book says. Its not that the 10000 number is that far off, it just kind of burns me to think that this guy pretty much randomly chose the value of my truck. Plus when i asked him, he told me he didnt even see my truck. This on top of the several hours of work i put in looking for real parts when they told me they were going to use aftermarket fiberglass "ground effects" instead of real cladding. If anyone out there can switch to stated ammount insurance then do it. This has been a hassle for me for two months now.

 

[just a 6]

When i bought my Sy 2 years ago with 96K miles, my creditunion (had to borrow money) had a trade-in value of $9,500 on my truck with 96k miles. So i would guess that your Ty is worth more then $10K if you were to buy a simular vehicle, miles and condition. That is what they are suppose to reimburse you for, so you can buy a simualar vehicle. If Progressive can't find a simular truck in your State they have to look in other states. I would demand to see what miles and shape those other Ty's where in that was sold at a dealership. If a dealer sell for $10K it got to be in a bad shape or something wrong with it. A dealer wont sell for under book value except if it's high miles or a bad truck.

Also try to find a Ty with same miles and condition that are for sale and tell Progressive that you found a truck in same condition that yours was and you want Progressive to cut you a check so you can buy that truck, just give them a shit load of documantation on the Ty for sale and also on what other dealers sold these trucks for, you more paper work you can supply to an insurance company the less is the chance that they turn you down, i meen if you can proof that your truck is worth more then $10K maybe Progressive will reconsider there offer?

 

[cincy-ty]

Thanks, all good ideas. Hopefull I can get a hold of the guy soon. Funny how they will cut you if your payment is late but they have no problem dodging your calls week after week when they owe you.

 

[Sy769]

Just curious why you aren't considering rebuilding it. Every insurance estimate I have ever got was inflated. There is always a cash price and a insurance price. Pick up a few used parts here and there and you could probably build it back for much less.

Make sure you don't accept a check until you are satisfied.

 

[TurboManiacal]

I'd hate to say that I don't believe your truck (baby I know) is worth much more than 10 or 11. It's just a fact that your high mileage truck (in unrestored or highly modified condition) is worth much more at a dealership or otherwise. Try getting some quotes from the more high end / exotic dealerships. One that comes to mind is Highland Park Auto in Chicago. They always deal in High Demand Exotics or hard to find autos. I am constantly seeing pristine 1999 Honda Civic SI's there advertised at $17,995 or Low mileage Supra Turbos. I don't have a link for them, maybe GM Turbo will know.

I'm wondering if the best thing for you to do is just work out a deal to get as much money and the truck back and get it repaired yourself. Sorry I can't help any more than that.

 

[cincy-ty]

Thanks all, and trust me if i could fix it i would. I'll post picks soon, but picking up a few parts here and there will not fix a truck that was rear ended at 35mph (the tailgate was pushed in a foot and a half) My brother and I know the shop i was taking it to, and could have gotten a deal on any needed parts, but that would not have changed the fact that the doors overlapped the quarterpanels by a half inch and the roof was now three inches higher than it should be. Oddly enough except for one leaf spring, the frame and rear body took all the damage, so the drive train was unharmed. Without the body (and VIN) being original however it pretty much lost its value as a phoon, and the ammount it will cost to bring it back to how it was will never be recouped if i sell so im just being realistic by dropping the good bits into something else. If i were looking to buy A Ty I wouldnt give a fake one or one with a salvage title a second glance no matter how well they were put together. I'll be back in the spring driving my Ty in one form or another.

 

[dgoodhue]

If i were looking to buy A Ty I wouldnt give a fake one or one with a salvage title a second glance no matter how well they were put together. I'll be back in the spring driving my Ty in one form or another.

It depends on what the damage is, if someone was to get side swiped and damaged all the cladding down one side, it may be close ot a total loss with minimal body damage.

Anyways has the insurance company given you a quote to buy back your Ty?

It doesn't seem right they can take just 2 dealer sale and average them, it isn't enough of a sample. Its a rare vehicle how many sales do they expecting in OH... I think you should be able to get the NADA value of 11,600 which is suposedly based on dealer sales (or whatever the value is)

 

[spooldup]

try searching autotrader or cars.com in your area. Maybe something will pop up at a dealer?

 

[Twins]

104k 92 Blk-Blk $9600.00 7-3-02

Doesn't help your cause but if you still want it I can scan the org. sale info from the dealer. Was a 9 inside 7 outside. (Min rust at the bottom of the pass door but mismatched paint. Since completely re-sprayed.)

 

[cincy-ty]

Thanks guys, I'll see what Progressive comes up with this week before I ask for any paperwork you have, but it may help my case to bump up the value a bit.

As for the buyback they originally wanted $1750 but I'll have to take a look at what shape the interior is in before I agree to that price. Except for a bent drivers seat back and snapped rear passenger side panel from the wreck it was in good shape. I hope it is still dry in there though.

 

[Boosted]

I know I am a little late to the party, but have you considered the posibility of getting an attorney to write a letter on your behalf? Seems to go a long ways for me. Luckily I have one in the family, but a couple hundred bucks for a professionally written letter along with documentation from Autotrader, ebay, and private transactions from the BB, all with a slant toward your favor, might make a big big difference. If members of the board have recently had their Ty's appraised, or what they have them insured for. Bury them in paper work, including NADA and such and you should have positive results...


off the topic...ANy pics?

 

[SYTECH]

Recent Insurance Dealings With a 87 Buick Grand National

Recent Insurance Dealings With a 87 Buick Grand National

Lee

At the beginning of October of this year, I had an incident where the hood on my 87 Buick GN came up while I was driving (Fiberglass hood, cam lock front pins) and flew over the windshield, broke my T-Top Glass, Destroyed the hood, speckled the body paint with glass chips, and pulled the hood hinges from the front bumpers.

I was 70 miles away from home when it happened. I had tools with me so I removed the hood pieces, cleaned up the broken glass, and drove the car home on the fwy.

I called AAA and filed a claim and I went to one of their approved body shops that qualified for immediate repairs.

The body shop had the vehicle 2 weeks, and finally gave a quote of 8K to the insurance company for repairs

The insurance Company did a valuation check and decided to total the vehicle instead of paying for repairs. They established the value of the vehicle at 8,000 and minus my deductible of 250, they offered me a settlement check for 7750.00.

I refused the offer, and I went on the internet and found 20 comparible vehicles for sale, I provided copies of every receipt I had for repairs, maintenance, services, and upgrades over the past 12 months, and I delivered this to the claims adjuster for reconsideration

3 days later, AAA made me a second offer of 12,000 for the vehicle, minus my deductible of 250.00, plus gave me the option of buying the vehicle back for $20.33.

I took the 12K, I bought it back for $20.33, I posted it on the GN forums for sale as a salvage / parts car, and within 1 week I had sold the vehicle for $5,600, as it sat.

Don't allow them to bully you into accepting a low settlement

Do your homework, find your own comparible sales, get your receipts, and have them redo their offer

You have to fight for your money, they will not offer it up for free

Good luck

 

[cincy-ty]

Thanks for the further responses, with the holidays and lacking a phoon I havent been on the board much lately. STILL working with progressive, if that is what you can call it. They return my usual Monday morning call about wednesday with some excuse about needing another day to get info then never call back. This despite my frequent messages for them. I sure wish I could ignore people at my job like that and get away with it. The main thing Ive learned from all of this is to save all my receipts, which i will do from this point on. Found a bunch of comparable sales on the net that i will show them when the time comes. Also, I have a local insurance agent that my family has done a lot of business with calling them for info as well.
One more question though. For all of you who had to buy their trucks back after being totaled, what condition was the truck in and what did you pay? The have quoted me $1800 on a truck the value as $10000 before the accident with $9000 in damage. The rear body and frame are beyond straightining, but it still runs fine and up front only the front bumper frame and grille are damaged. Just wondering. I figure 10% is fair, not 1800.

 

[kwick6]

See if you can find someone to come and do an appraisal of your truck.... its actual value if it weren't damaged. It might cost you a hundred or so, but I was happy when I was handed my appraisal sheet.

I wonder if I should have another one done, to be current. The last time I had one was in 2001, so I'm not sure how much that would be in terms of todays value. Does anyone have appraisals done on their truck every "x" number of years?

Just a thought. Hope things work out for you.

later,