QuestionHello Merry Xmas Richard
Sixteen year old goes up street in car that starts to smoke under hood. Thinking car will blow up like as seen on TV, He stops car, gets out and does not put car in park! Car rolls downhill into My driveway and hits My 1979 Buick Regal!
His Insurance company (state farm) wants to settle for $2500. I do not want a body shop to fix or touch this car. I'm a car nut and have fixed damage like this before and will fix this car to. They will settle with Me only under the terms I let them put a salvage title on it. The $2500 is ok with Me but I do not want a SALVAGE TITLE on My car! I,m in Kentucky and have contacted the insurance commissioner and that still did not help. Please help, what are My rights, where's the law that says a salvage title must be put on it for a settlement!
The car is sentimental to Me, I purchased it new in 79. Car was fully functional, not wrecked and Tags where expired as I have many cars I do and don't drive from time to time. Car is still fully functional. Anyway the paint had faded a bit, I needed a reason to work on it and fix the bad repair it received when a body shop molested it back in 1994. A razed 4x4 ran up on it then and that's why I don't want body shops around it again! Same thing happen back then. Insurance co. (meridian) wanted to total the car and give Me $1800 in 94. I contacted insurance commissioner, paid out of My pocket $2700 to have a body shop fix it as I was driving the car back then. Then drove to the Meridian headquarters in Indianapolis with the fixed car and showed them the bill. They then phoned the guy in charge, a settlement was made without a salvage title!
But what can I do now? I don't want a shop to work on it and don't want a salvage title on it. I can't fix it and show them the bill. Besides, when I start working on a car, I get it right and can be a bit real slow. I just want to keep a Clear Title on it and have the $2500!
Advise So Much Appreciated
Thanks
Aaron
AnswerHi Aaron,
Unfortunately, I'm no specifically familiar with Kentucky law. However, many states have an age limit, after which no salvage title is needed.
You should call the insurance company and ask to speak to a claims supervisor or manager. Explain your situation and ask them to pay the claim as a repairable vehicle. You may even offer to sign a release form indicating that you will not come back for more money regardless of how much it costs to repair. Be calm and polite when you speak to them. If that does not work, I think your only other alternative would be to file a law suit.
I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh
