i don't feel like i''m getting treated fairly

#1 04-26-2004, 03:34 PM

What is the name of your state? Louisana

I have a 1988 Ford Taurus 4 Door Stationwagon GL. With 138,000 miles on it. and this is my only means of transportation, and basically it gets me where I need to go. My neighbor across the street backed out of his driveway where my car was leagally parked hitting the door on the drivers side. My car is still driveable, the problem I have is that I have electric windows and when I try to roll the window down it pops the door open, even with the door being locked and the window still does not roll down. I called the guys insurance company and they took down all the information they needed. They told me to take the car to 1 of 3 places to get it appraised and I did this and they appraised the cars value $825.00 but they stopped the appraisal when the repair cost reached $897.00 and that wasn't even all damage. Then they told me that the car would just be totaled. So I contacted the insurance company back and they told me that my car was worth only $580.00 and that's with them keeping the car, and that they would offer me $570.00 and I could keep the car but they have to turn the title in as a salvage title which entails me having to get my car reinspected by the police to prove the car is road worthy, and getting it re-registered and I think I have to pay to getting the title switched back over so it won't be a salvaged title. Ok for 1 how can they offer me less than the value that my car is valued at? And I don't feel I'm getting any kind of compensation when I am having to get my care reinspected and re-registered and the title changed over. And also if I would of excepted the $580.00 and they keep the car there is no way I could find a car for that amount of money, and I feel like I'm not getting treated fairly. I looked up in the NADD blue book the value and the low retail rate was estimated at $925.00. What are the law requirements on how they should value my car? I have found that other states example MA cars that are over 10 years old are exempt from the "salvage title law". Is there any kind of exemptions like that for the state of Louisana? At this point it looks like either way I go I feel like I am not getting fairly compensated. Is there any information or advice you can give me on this matter?

Thank You

stephenk · #2 04-28-2004, 02:05 AM

go to a mechanic of your choice and get a full estimate of the damage done to your car. if the damage is more than your car is worth you are only entitled to the value of your car. if the damage is less than the car is worth, you are entitled to the repair estimate. Either scenario, you should just sue the other driver in small claims court.

#3 05-05-2004, 01:39 AM

I was told by the insurance company to find three of the same cars (model, year, miles, etc) for sale and they would pay the averaged price, assuming this is more that they're offering. (Hey, if they sell for less that they give you, just buy another one)