insurance claim question

[kathyd]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
My truck was involved in a roll over accident and totalled by the insurance company. We are waiting on a settlement, but they are giving me comps on a 4 speed automatic and 5 speed manual. The truck is a Dodge Ram 6speed manual transmission high output. None of there comps are a 6 speed manual transmission. Don't they have to give me comps that are the same as my vehicle. It makes a huge difference when shopping for this particular truck. When speaking to my claims rep. she acted like there was no differece, even though there is when it comes to towing and hauling. They are saying that I now have to hire an appraiser at my cost if I disagree. What can I do?

[ecmst12]

They can use those comps, the report should adjust for the differences between your vehicle and the similar ones found. It's frequently impossible to find an exact match but the valuation company should have enough data to know how much value the additional gear would add to your vehicle compared with the others.

[FlyingRon]

You don't give the year or the precise model, but the difference in BB value for a 2005 RAM 2500 with a 5.7 gas engine 5-speed versus the Diesel HO/6-speed is $5000. I would run your numbers both ways like I did at KBB.COM and show there that there is a substantial difference.


Even if they don't agree with the KBB absolute value, it's clear that these two options aren't the "same".

[ecmst12]

Numbers on KBB are useless. I believe that a gas vs diesel engine would make a big difference, but it's a lot harder to find diesel engines. Like I said, they shouldn't be offering you a settlement based on the exact selling price of non-identical vehicles, but on that price with adjustments made for the differences in options/engine/condition/mileage/etc.