QuestionMy car was recently flooded at my apartment while I was out of town working. I estimate the water got up to at least the bottom of the front seats since the electric seat adjustments no longer operate. However, there is still plenty of water in the floor also. I'm getting computer errors, and the exhaust had a large amount of water in it.
I am insured with GEICO, and the adjuster came out look at the vehicle recently. The adjuster spent about 15 minutes looking and later that day I received an estimate for 2,800 dollars. I am concerned after receiving an estimate that low for flood related damage. In addition, GEICO contacted me to close the claim even though it has not been fully inspected by the dealership.
The car is being examined by my local dealership, and their personnel have already notified me about more issues with the car than were addressed by the adjuster's estimate. The dealership also let me know the adjuster is going to be making a trip to the dealership after he found out the damages are more extensive.
This was news to me since the only call I received was to close out the claim. I am concerned that GEICO is more or less trying to make decisions and quickly close out the claim without much input from me. However, I will be contacting the adjuster Monday, and I will be on hand when the adjuster and technicians meet.
My car is a 2006 Pontiac GTO with 30,000 miles, and I owe about 18,000 on it. I estimate the value, if I wanted to sell it, to be about 21,000 dollars. I also paid extra to have a 10 year/100,000 mile GM warranty on the car. I am concerned about the following;
1. The insurance company's estimate is far too low for something like this.
2. I will not be able to sell this car after having it repaired.
3. If someone did want to buy it they would not pay anything near 21,000.
4. My warranty will be void, or I will have a lot of problems in the future when trying to have repairs done under the warranty.
Thanks in advance for your advice and time.
AnswerHi Jason,
First of all, you need to cancell your extended warrantee and get a refund of as much as possible. The extended warantee is now worthless since they will deny everything that happens after this on the flood.
Never assume that your insurance company will keep you informed. They do not care about you. They just want to issue a check for as little as possible. You need to be proactive. You should tell the dealer service manager that you want to be kept in the loop every step of the way.
You should demand that all computers in the vehicle ne replaced. You should demand that all seats be replaced in cluding the seat frames. The seat frames will begin to rust in just a few days. Any wiring that was exposed to water should be replaced as well. Thell the mechanic to remove the seats. They should also replace the carpet all the way to the Jute.
Just stay on top of things and you should be ok. Just remember, your insurance company does not work for you, they work for their stockholders.
I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh
