usaa insurance

[mercrazy]

a guy with this kind of insurance pulled out in front of me and totaled my truck. i was banged up pretty good but didn't want to go to hospital and thought i would be ok. it's an older truck but i just had a new engine, new clear coat paint, new brake system and all totalling $4400 for just what i spent on improvements in the last 6 months. they only want to pay $3000. does anybody know where i can buy a v8, automatic, 4x4, with new paint, engine, brake system, and tires for $3000? i told them to fix my truck or give me $4k but they won't do either. i could have played hurt and sued but i hate to see that kind of thing and just wanted my truck replaced. is there nothing fair in this country anymore? now i'm having to try to sell 2 outboards to buy something to drive. this is the first wreck i ever had. what should i do?

[TTriton]

from our stand point USAA is a very good insurance company but they are in business to make money so I'm sure they all can be a pain in the ass..

But what I would so is go to several auto body shops and get quotes from all to bring the truck back to the way it was. Then go to several dealers or mechanics and get estimates on the trade in or retail value. Also check www.nada.com or any other places to get priceing estimates.. Take the ones that make you look good and show it to them. If they still have a problem tell them you ARE taking them to court and get a lawer. They will settle then I'm sure. And they will have to settle for more to cover your laywer, retal car, and to have your car/ truck fixed. And if they do take it to court now they are looking at a $10,000 legal bill even if they do win.

[laser]

You might try calling your state insurance auditor's office. I would make sure you have all your ducks in a row first. Like have every receipt for things that you did to the truck. I would also try and find sales listings for comparable vehicles. Without the documentation your screwed. Its worth a try.

[LakeRacer99]

I feel your pain...

I think USAA has to repair your vehicle or replace it. I think I would fight with them as much as I could. I had a minitruck that a paint co. painted my neighbors house got overspray on the truck, windshield, topper even the mirrors had overspray. I paid almost $6K for it a few years back. The paint co. ins co. were gonna allow for a detail shop to buff it out. I took it to a coulple different detail shops and they agreed that even if they wetsand the whole truck it might not work and with the time involve it would total more than $5K. I went back too the ins co. with those estimates in writing and told them to repaint the truck at my bodyshop of choice. I got a $4K paint job that was better than the unclearcoated black originally from Ford.

The bottom line (I feel) is you did not want this to happen to your vehicle and there (ins co) job is to make it like it never happened at no inconvienence to you. It will be a big hassle for you but stand you ground and tell them to fix your truck! Also a note your your ins co. if you have an older vehicle that is worth more than books, you can put a dollar value on it and they will charge your premium from that.

That is how I do my boats anyway. My Hydrostream was worth about $1500 boat, motor and trailer to State Farm. I paid over $5000 for it and I told them I wanted to insure it for $10K.
Coincidentally, I busted a propshaft that took out my gearcase and ins covered a brand new case $2800 - I bought a used one of course.

Good luck to ya though.

LR99