Auto Insurance Claims: Adjuster came up with price and I dont agree, available cars, model condition

Question
I had a 1998 Ford Escort with 76,500 miles totaled. The adjuster called me and said he would pay me $3,165 plus tax for the car. I looked up NADA clean retail for my car and it's $3,650. Adjuster says they don't use that. They use actually car sales prices. He suggested I could look for similar cars. I went on google and got 17 same cars with miles +- 4,000. I averaged the price and it's $4,412. He said it must be within 15 miles of my house. He wouldn't move on his price. What do I do now? I'm in NJ

Answer
Hi Mike,
The prices that you are finding on NADA and Google are the top dollar 'dream' price that the sellers would love to receive, not their 'lowest willing to sell for' price.  With any new or used car, the seller has an asking price, but you are always able to negotiate a lower selling price.
Before making you a settlement offer, the insurance company hired an independent company to survey your area for cars of like kind and condition.  That survey presented a question to the dealers that was worded somewhat in the following manner:
"Do you have a car of this make, model condition, equipment and mileage in stock?  If so what is your lowest 'willing to sell for' price.  If you don't have this car, what would be your lowest 'willing to sell for' price if you had such a car?"
The insurance company was provided a list of about 20 cars showing the actual equipment and mileage or what the dealer would sell for if he had such a car.  They should be willing to provide you a copy of this list and you can go and look at the available cars.
If the cars on their list are not comparable to yours, then you need to visit at least 5 dealers and get their lowest 'willing to sell for' price if they have the car in stock, or what their price would be if they had such a car.  Get this in writing from the dealers
with the dealership name and date.
If the 5 quotes on your list are higher than the offer being made by the insurance company, you will now have documentation to negotiate with the insurance company for a higher price for your car.
I hope this information is of help.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area