2141smh@rduxb.UUCP (henning) (05/05/85)
> the body shop who towed the wrecks away made a deal with my parents' > insurance company to fix the Rabbit for some quantity of money > slightly less than what the company would spend if they called it > totaled. > > Moral: stay away from the Liberty Mutual insurance company, > and NEVER fix a car when it can be totaled. **** **** From the keys of Steve Henning, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, PA rduxb!2141smh I recently had two occasions to use Liberty Mutuals claim service for collision damage. In both cases they sent out an independent adjuster who itemized the damage. Upon receipt of the adjusters statement, Liberty Mutual promptly sent me a check and the list from the adjuster. It was my decision whether there were any items not on the list, whether I wanted to keep the money or get it fixed, and to get it fixed any where I wanted. I both cases I went to the best body shop (in my opinion) around and they accepted the list and check as payment in full. Also, the body shop called the adjuster back several times to witness several items he had missed. In each case Liberty Mutual cheerfully sent ME the check for the additional items, and I paid the body shop.
hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (The Polymath) (05/08/85)
>> and NEVER fix a car when it can be totaled.
The last serious problem I had with my car was a fire under the hood.
Because it happened during fire season in a public park, the Fire
Department decided to drown it (they used a hose the size of a sewer pipe,
or so it seemed at the time). The repair shop wanted to total it and the
insurance company (State Farm) gave me a very hard time about paying off.
My personal opinion (as a licensed mechanic) was that the car wasn't that
badly damaged and should be repaired. After some argument I got the repair
shop to replace the carburetor, clean the water out of the cylinders,
change the oil, and give it a tune up. Result: the car now runs better
than ever. The insurance company finally paid up on all charges (towing
and repair), a total of $360.
Background and side lights:
The car is a 1967 Chevy II station wagon with a '78 engine in it.
I now have a new insurance company (20th Century).
I carry legal minimum insurance plus fire, theft, and vandalism. The only
claims I've had since buying the car in '75 have been the theft of my
drive shaft (I kid you not), the fire, and a slashed tire.
Moral: It's nearly always cheaper to fix a car than to replace it.
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The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe)
Citicorp TTI
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(213) 450-9111, ext. 2483
{philabs,randvax,trwrb,vortex}!ttidca!ttidcc!hollombefsks@unc.UUCP (Frank Silbermann) (05/08/85)
In article <ttidcc.404> hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (The Polymath) writes: >>> and NEVER fix a car when it can be totaled. > >Moral: It's nearly always cheaper to fix a car than to replace it. Furthermore, if you maintained the car well, it was probably worth alot more than some random replacement car of similar year and model. Frank Silbermann
z@rocksvax.UUCP (05/09/85)
I agree Liberty Mutual handles their claims in a fast and polite manner. They do require their own inspector to estimate the damage but are then willing to change it as required by the body shop. I am pleased with their claims department. The possibility of having your car totalled and the upcoming expense of a new car is indeed gloomy. You have to consider that after totalling you should have the fair market value of your car plus use of a rent-a-car for a couple of weeks. It is hard to ask for more and still call it insurance.