Drunk driver tottaled my ranger NEED ADVICE

[jglimpse]

So about a month ago a drunk driver hit my truck while it was parked on the street. I got the call at 3:30 am that someone had hit my truck. It pushed my truck pushed it 20 or 25 feet in to the back of a toyota tercel (4 door with a trunk) my truck was able to remove most of the cars trunk my front bumper stopped about 1.5 inches from the rear window of the car. Ill try and post pic of the carnage. The driver was arrested and charged. Now I'm trying to settle with the insurance the offer they are making me would be great if i had a stock ranger (my opinion). So what I would like to do is tell you folks what I have, had and see what you guys think I should be asking. My ranger is 1991 4.0 ac worked, 135K on the truck, ext cab, slider rear window, cd player, interior was in great shape no tears ect, out side had a few dents scratches nothing major, 30" or 31" tires good tread 75%. 6 inch lift stock axels with lockers (nothing special, like air lockers). For some reason NOW I CANT FIND MY PICTURES OF MY TRUCK so I will have to post them in a hour or 2 Sorry and thanks

 

[TheTopher]

You may want to look into getting a lawyer on this one.

 

[Capt Jay]

Unfortunately if you didn't have the truck reevaluated the best you can usually do is Kelly Blue book RETAIL value. You can argue with the adjuster with some of the after market options, they may pay you those too, but not necessarily. You can also look at comparables in the area, if they are going over blue book they have to pay you actual retail value. Other than that not a whole lot you can do. Unfortunately, sentimental value is priceless. It literally has no cash value. At the end of the day it's just a truck. Take all the money you can get and make the truck you want, learning from the mistakes of your last truck (or realizing what you'd do differently).

I had my off-road truck parked on the street and a kid rolled his truck into mine. The truck is completely custom. They wanted to pay blue book. I took all I could take. Told them what it would take to fix things and the time and they paid me accordingly. Fortunately mine wasn't totaled. They initially wanted to pay me about 2K. I argued with them (negotiated) and eventually settled for around 5K. They said if I had had the truck reevaluated by the insurance company as a "specialty truck" I could have gotten more. Good luck.

 

[jglimpse]

So the kbb value is around $3900 they are offering me $1800 and the only rangers in this area in the same body style are stock beat ones that people want $1000 to $1500 for. I cant seem to find anything that is in decent shape or lifted. So should I tell them I want it revaluated as a "specalty truck"? Im not trying to get rich I just want to get my $ outta the truck so I can either buy it back and fix it or get another one in the same condition and have $ to put in to it. Thanks for the advice!!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Pics and receipts will help in the negotiations.
Sometimes letters from respected members of your community [neighbors, parts places, mechanics/friends that worked on truck] that know your truck can help your case with the adjuster. Basically shows you're not a rip-off artist.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[press 1 for english]

Being it is a 19 year old Ranger, you should get about $1500-$2000 for it and that is it. KBB is way way way way too high in their values....insurance companies use their own system to determine values. Contacting a lawyer for the damage done to a 19-20 year old Ranger won't help......the lawyer will tell you that.

 

[feellnfroggy]

When the insurance offers a settlement turn it down 2-3 times. no matter what they offer. THey will low ball you at any cost. Chances are their offer is less than a stock ranger is worth. BUild up a realistic figure on your own and present it to the insurance company, tell them, "meet me here" dont be afraid to ebellish your costs a little. They arent gonna give you that full amount, but it widens the gap between the two of you and gives them the ability to pay more while still thinkin they are getting the better end of the deal.

 

[jglimpse]

If anyone see any with trucks that seem like what Ive decribed (pre wreck)on craigslist, auto trader, here ect could you send me links to them that would be much appreciated. Thanks for all the help

 

[Capt Jay]

Insurance companies HAVE to pay blue book value. It's the law. To go above that you will have to have receipts for any mods that were done to the truck. Do not accept anything less than blue book. Kbb online take regionality into consideration when it values a vehicle, that's why you input your zip. They will low ball you, don't back down. Retail value is exactly that, the value you'd have to pay at a dealer to replace your truck. You are not expected to try to buy privately or negotiate a deal. It wasn't your accident/fault. It was their client, you shouldn't suffer for his negligence.

 

[Capt Jay]

What area are you in?

 

[jglimpse]

Medford, OR. 97504 WOW! I just ran it on kbb it came up with $4360 for retail, private party excellent is $3660 and good condition is $3460 any one of these is way better than what they are offering me. F this sucks because this is my insurance co Im dealing with. So KBB is basical gods work for them?

 

[feellnfroggy]

Insurance companies HAVE to pay blue book value. It's the law. To go above that you will have to have receipts for any mods that were done to the truck. Do not accept anything less than blue book. Kbb online take regionality into consideration when it values a vehicle, that's why you input your zip. They will low ball you, don't back down. Retail value is exactly that, the value you'd have to pay at a dealer to replace your truck. You are not expected to try to buy privately or negotiate a deal. It wasn't your accident/fault. It was their client, you shouldn't suffer for his negligence.

remember they only have to pay that value when someone throws that law in their face. If they pay you less and you dont catch them in it, they will get away with it.


If you aint cheating you aint trying, if you get caught cheating, you aint trying hard enough.

 

[jglimpse]

Im calling in 10 or 15 min Ill put an update as soon as I get off the phone

 

[Capt Jay]

Why are you dealing with your insurance company? It should be his unless it's the same company. Don't back down. They owe you what they owe you and they know it. KBB retail is the starting point. Remember receipts for any upgrades (lockers, lift etc.).
Let us know and don't take any of their crap. You have nothing to loose that you haven't already lost if you stick to your guns. They can't just come up with some arbitrary dollar figure. Don't let them compare local trucks if they are less money. KBB is the market value of a vehicle.

 

[jglimpse]

It has to go threw my insurance because the guy that hit my truck didnt have his own insurance the truck was on his grandmas insurance but it was registered in his name. So all state grandmas insurance (ALL STATE) wont cover it. Because they say they have no insurable intrest in the truck. They had no problem cashing her checks for it but they do have a problem getting check to those who have lost property due to a truck they insure