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I need help - insurance settlement value

2K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  sbukosky 
#1 ·
No good deed goes unpunished. I loaned out my pristine 2009 Executive (8,000 miles)and it was put in a ditch. Just seemed to be plastic damage but then it revealed that the frame had a fist sized distortion in it so the insurance company is totaling it on me. They are offering $5,600 settlement and the adjuster wants to buy it and in total will give me just a bit over $6,000 for it. I've been looking for replacements and it would be tight considering I'd either have to travel out of state or gamble and have one shipped here going on the word of the selling dealer. NADA value is $6,580. What do you guys think? I have American Family Insurance, reputable, but I've never had a vehicle totaled so don't know if it is a take it or leave it deal or if I'm being low-balled.
 
#2 ·
First off loaning your bike out is not a good idea , but I think you now know that ?
As far as your settlement goes , it's a good one take the money and run . NADA values today mean nothing in the real world , the only place I see them meaning any thing is in insurance settlements , and or at the dealerships to convince suckers into paying a higher than market price . Finding a replacement for your bike will be easier than you may think , but you may have to travel or ship to get it .

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/4515089536.html

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/4514873161.html

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/mcy/4514843485.html

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/mcy/4513349328.html

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/4509773971.html

http://nwga.craigslist.org/mcy/4507302804.html

https://scranton.craigslist.org/mcy/4503493966.html

http://greatfalls.craigslist.org/mcy/4494649191.html


TheReaper!
 
#3 ·
Blue book says $5400 for an exec, so sounds like the ins company is giving you a fair amount. Take the money and run. Buy a bike and have your idiot friend who ditched the last one pay for any short fall.
 
#4 ·
Check my 2012 with 11,000 miles in the classified section. It's not much more than the agent will pay you for yours. You can have anyone locally look at it and they'll no-doubt confirm that it's in like-new condition. I'll work with you on the shipping.
 
#5 ·
Go find the nicest 650 Burg you can find regardless of what the seller is asking , and lay that $6,000 on the seat and I'll guarantee you he'll take it .

TheReaper!
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the reply. Are you anywhere near Brighton or Lincoln Park? I found two candidates at dealers there. Just wondering if any are where you might frequent. C&C Sports and Bright Powersports are the dealers.
 
#9 ·
I'm an hour from both , what did you find I'll tell you if I know any thing about them .

TheReaper!
 
#7 ·
I'm not too happy with the person but he's my brother. I bought my first motorcycle from him and have loaned him others. He lost it in a ride trying to keep up with me on my Gold Wing and his son on his whatever it is Honda. We're glad that he was not hurt badly, or worse. Unfortunately neither he or I are getting any younger. That big half ton Gold Wing is getting a bit hard to handle for me on my not so good days. Do what you can but the legs just don't have the strength that they used to. This is why I got the Burgman. Everyday was a good day on it. I just wanted to share that with my brother. Oh well....
 
#8 ·
glad hes ok and family is family

I think the advice you have is good, bikes are not selling quickly as i look at the various forums i visit , unless its priced well, so you will be in a good bargaining position with cash in hand

Dealers always ask too much and if you are worried about repairs - suzuki warranties are transferable so a private sales with a warranty would be an option too
 
#10 ·
Here is how I see it. I believe most people would take the $6,000.00 as stated above. However... There is something that seems sort of fishy about the adjuster wanting to buy the scooter. Sort of a conflict of interest. I would ask for the full amount..of its value and even more. It is like negotiating with a used car salesman on your trade in... You never settle for the very first offer... Insurance companies are there to make money. They, nor the adjuster has your best interest as their concern... There is more money for your scooter, I'd say at least $500.00 - $800.00 more. I'd ask for $800.00 more and settle for $500.00. By the way, they HAVE TO BY LAW settle the claim and will usually do it by negotiation. I know several people that has refused the initial offer and gotten more money... Me included.

In my own experience I had some storm damage to my house, my insurance adjuster totaled the damage to be $4,900.00. I hired my own independent adjuster and got $9,800.00. I know this is home owners insurance, but he principle is the same. When I told my insurance company what I was doing they were quite uncomfortable with it, asking me why I felt I had to do that... Like they had no idea my claim was so undervalued by their adjuster. Point is, they paid...and did it promptly. Trust me... There is more money.
 
#11 ·
You need to ask for their documentation as to how they came up with the value. My 08 400 was totaled last July 1st. and the insurance company's (Allstate) was low. Since I was an insurance adjuster for 31+ years, I know how it works.

When I asked about how they arrived at their offer, I was told that they had someone do a market survey of similar scooters locally. The locally turned out to be in other states. I got a list of the bikes they used and called each of them and made adjustments to their figures based on the condition, miles, etc. of the bikes. My first question was if it had been dropped (all but one had been), mileage, condition of tires, options, etc. I documented everything, including every conversation with the adjuster with the time and what was said. The documentation and attention to detail changed the offer to within $50 of my first request and nearly $700 more than their initial offer. Part of the payment might have been nuisance value when they realized I was enjoying driving them up the wall and had plenty of time to do it.

The adjuster will pay you what he can document for his or her management. I was really doing his work for him but being a retired old f**t, I had plenty of time and I had a great time doing to the adjuster what people used to do to me.

If your research as to the value shows that the offer is fair, take it and be happy. Some adjusters low ball you on the first offer but many like me tried to make a fair offer first based the information I had available.
 
#13 ·
I viewed the hidden damage today. A dent in the frame, under where your left foot would be, was enough for the dealer to say that they won't repair the bike without replacing the frame. Liability reasons. I can understand that in these days but I was an aircraft mechanic and we frequently repaired airframe tubing. The frame as a whole is still in alignment. I rode it through some twisties after the accident and it handled fine. I'm getting a few hundred dollars more than the original offer so I'm taking the money and will see what I can do on a 2014. It needed a new tire anyway. <G>
 
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