Auto Insurance Claims: claim settlement on a totaled out mini van, chevy astro van, chevy astro


Question
On June 23 around 4 pm I was in my 1987 Chevy Astro van, going home from college. I was at a stop sign not far from my home. Across from me at the intersection was a Company Van who's driver thought he could beat the SUV truck coming down the cross road. Yeap! He didn't. She slammed right into him and more or less pushed his van right into me. My van is now totaled, it pushed the front side panel (driverside) into the front wheel and the back end of the Company van crushed the driver's side of my van all the way down to the middle of it, you can not open the driver's door. Well, I have a couple of questions for you.
1)When I talked to the adjustor the first time he offered me a rental car for 5 days to start off with while they did their thing with getting an appraisal on my van and I accepted it. On the fifth day I called back and the adjustor I was dealing with is out of the office until the 11th and some other guy is now handling his cases. Well since neither one were there I left a message that I was keeping the rental until they get back with me. Well we did talk and he offered $600.00 I told him now-way that would not buy me another van, he did not metion the rental and said he would get back with me. Well today he left me a message because I was in classes all day (the offer is question #2). He also says that I have to return the rental tomorrow, what are my option can I keep the rental until they settle my claim or not? I have to get back and forth to school and work.
2)Also, the adjustor tells me that they want to settle my claim for $689.00. I paid $1,200.00 for it. I have also looked it up in the Blue book and the other one NCA or something like that and it was priced from $1,700 to $1,300. There was no other damages on my van other than normal wear and tear. I do not want to settle for the amount they are offering me. For one thing I can not go out and buy another Astro van for $689.00. What are my options?


Answer
I ASSUME that the at-fault's company has accepted FULL (100%) liability for this loss and is not looking for the other car involved in the 1st accident/impact to contribute for your repairs.

I would ask the at-fault's carrier to provide you with their Actual Cash Value (ACV) work-up so you can see how it was calculated.  See if they deducted for high mileage (permissable) and prior damage (permissable) and if so the basis for same and how much.

Then you need to do your own research on the ACV... check your local library and look up the ACV in the Red Book and as well as the N.A.D.A. book.. these are the best books and the ones most widely used.... do NOT use the BLUE and/or Kelley book as those are NOT used.

Unfortunately what you paid for the vehicle and the ACV may not have anything in common and the ACV is what is controlling here and not what you paid.

On the rental piece the carrier owes you reasonable rental... in the case of a Total Loss that would end 3-5 days after they make you the Total Loss offer... the additional days are for you to find a replacement vehicle.

Something to consider.. is the van repairable and would you want to keep it... if so, ask what the "salvage value" of the van is... then get the Net ACV number (with the salvage which you are keeping subtracted)... can you repair the van for the Net ACV number... sounds like your van was totalled becasue of its low ACV as opposed to heavy damage.

Finally, keep in mind that the AVC of your veh is based on year, make, model, equipment, mileage, and condition.  

If you feel that the company is not being fair and essentially jerking your chain you can consider filing a formal complaint with your State Insurance Dept...

Hope and trust that the above answers your question(s) and provides some direction.

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Thanks