Auto Insurance Claims: total loss of nissan maxima in tornado, Total Loss auto

Question
WE HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH ALMOST 90000. MILES. OUR CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS FROM THE MAY 22,2011 TORNADO THAT HIT JOPLIN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY GEICO ONLY WANTS TO PAY $13127. FOR OUR CAR. WE HAVE LOOKED EVERYWHERE TO FIND WHAT I HAD- COLOR AND INTERIOR COLOR, NOT THE LEATHER. WE HAVE FOUND ONE IN SAN ANTONIO TX-ABOUT 11 HOURS FROM US...ITS THE SAME COLOR INSIDE AND OUT WE HAD A LONG MOONROOF DOWN THE CENTER OF THE CAR STARGAZER I THINK.JUST LIKE WE HAD-DO WE HAVE TO SETTLE FOR LESS, I JUST WANT WHAT WE HAD. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOM WANTS ME TO LOOK AT A CAR SAME YEAR, SAME OUTSIDE COLOR, BUT LEATHER DARK CHARCOAL, AND NO MOONROOF FOR 11980. DO WE HAVE TO SETTLE FOR A LESSER CAR THAN WHAT WE HAD? WE ALSO HAD VERY NICE CHROME WHEELS TO THAT THIS ONE DOES NOT HAVE... PLEASE ANSWER QUICKLY AS AM AWAITING HIS RETURN CALL...THANK YOU Jodie Lewis

Answer
Jodie,

Before I answer your question, I would ask that you contact Larry Boyd, the Market Manager at KZRG Talk Radio in Joplin (Office:417-624-1025 Cell:417-825-5260) and let him know what Geico is doing to you, and ask him to get me on as a free guest.

I sent Mr. Boyd an email offering to appear as a guest and take questions from listeners, THOUSANDS, just like you. I asked for no compensation other than mention of my website www.UClaim.com, a website that sells 29 various eBooks I wrote on how to maximize insurance claims and how to get denied claims covered (UClaim also provides FREE COPIES of policies to disaster victims). I know of NO ONE in the USA (or the world) with my knowledge, background and experience in property insurance claims who has ALSO made it available to the public. Mr. Boyd declined my offer to appear, stating "we have more guest than we can support". All respect to Mr. Boyd, but I doubt that he has taken a thorough look at UClaim.com.

Now to answer your question. No, you don't have to settle for a "lesser car". They must add, and usually do add, for the differences. The problem is that the underlying valuation of the vehicle is usually lowballed. Believe it or not, "YOU ARE THE ENEMY". Read that document on the UClaim "Considerations" page. It is Geico's (and most insurers) standard practice everywhere, to make a lowball settlement offer using an unwieldy, deceptive (and often fraudulent) computerized multi page appraisal report, and add only a few dollars for those who complain the most. They may have 100 so called "comparable vehicles" to yours in their database, but they will only show a few vehicles in the very lowest price range in their report. And the so called "comparable" vehicles are rarely in a reasonable local market area for you to inspect.

Take the $13,127.00 and deposit or cash the check, but DON'T sign a release (requiring a release, by your own insurer, is illegal in most states). This way you can still argue over the difference, "the disputed amount", and pursue that amount in small claims court.

Jodie, I have written books on how to handle your type of claim. I cannot give you every possible scenario on how your claim will proceed in a forum like this. Why? Because it is like a chess game that changes with every communication between you and the adjuster. But I can teach you how to play the game. And that's what I do in my eBooks. Look for one of the eBooks at UClaim.com on the Products page in the Automobile section on Total Loss Auto Claim Advice.

The Automobile eBooks have a money back guarantee and also currently come with free telephone consultation with me. Its the best value anywhere.