Dealing with insurance ???

[forddaddio]

Sad, sad day. On thursday some S.O.B. puke in a suburban not paying attention did a job on my '93. Hit me from the rear going about 30mph and then pushed me into the vehicle in front of me. Early word from the insurance people is that it may be totaled.If this is the case what options do I have as far as the wrecked vehicle?I know they will probably low ball me on the value of the L but I know what the true value is. Whole lotta stuff added.(perf.,audio etc...)Anyone with any experience or advice with this type of situation please let me know the best way to handle it.Thanks in advance for any help given.
Ron

Btw:No one injured but I did cry like a little baby!

 

[Red 93 L1 #3383]

As long as the frame isn't bent, tell his insurance that they will be rebuilding your L. If you have to get a used box, fenders,... Post some pics. If you need a new hood, look into a fiberglass one, rear bumper? replace with rollpan (about $400 cheaper than a new tube bumper), Instead of painting inside of box have it rhino lined. Pay the difference and have the whole truck painted. How good are you with body/mechanical work? The two times I've been rearended (Lumina car & Bronco II) I've come out good. If they total it out by it back and rebuild it, even if you haver to track down a used L frame. Work with their adjuster, see what options he will let you have. Be sure to tell them they won't be allowed to keep any of the custom parts you have installed, tell them it will be a bone stock truck with no motor and tranny when they come to take it away (because you have a custom motor and tranny ) If the insurance tries to screw you, screw them back. Keep the seats & stick a vinal (sp) reg f-150 seat in. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Ken Thompson]

forddaddio,
I have heard those exact words. In Georgia, I had 4 years to settle the claim with the insurance company. So, I took all the insurance companies leverage out of the game. I had a second car, so I didn't rent a car. The other one is, storage fees. I had my truck at the Ford dealer and talked to them everyday, about what the insurance company was doing. My insurance companies first offer was $7795.00. I cant tell you what I said to them, children might be reading this. Then about a week later I got a letter from them and they quit paying the rental car company. O.K. I didn't have a rental car. The storage fee was brought up and I told them, if they release the truck to me, I will have a flat bed at Ford and take position and park the truck in a garage so it wouldn't get damaged more then it already was. DO NOT LET THEM PUT IT IN THEIR STORAGE LOCATION. If you do, kiss it goodbye!
Long story short, I got 11k for the truck and bought it back for 1500. This took 2 months of fighting, but it was worth it. I need to apply for a remanufactured title, but my truck is as good as it was before it was hit.
The best advise I can give you, is find a lawyer that will take a phone call. Then find out what your laws are in your state. Or call your Insurance commissioner and find out what your law's are.
Don't accept the first offer. Insurance companies do not like a claim to take 2 months.
Ken

 

[stryfe]

heres how i just obtained my lightning.

A kid had bought it (93) november 8th. he did not drive it this winter much cause of the salt.

he decided one night to impress his girl, and out they go, drinking and driving. he lost control of it (power surprised him) and hit a street light, wasting the grill, hood, airdam, and bumper.

incidentally, the frame horn that attaches the bumper on the drivers side was bent. his insurance company basically said this:

"We no longer repair frames. Your truck has frame damage. Here's $9360 to pay off your bank note."

he then proceeds to buy the truck back from them for 1/3 of that figure, and i bought it from him. i just fixed the frame horn and obtained a front clip.

since i got the truck before it was processed, i got a normal title, not a salvaged or rebuilt one. lucky me. i paid a little over 3k for a 93 with no mechanical damage, needing a hood, grill, bumper and the trimmings.

the way i got it figured, the insurance companies are soaking us for millions, so ANY kind of screwing back that we can do is just a moral imperative!

heheh

 

[johnlightning]

Hell with used sheet metal make them put new Ford stuff on it. Most good body shops will not deal with used sheet metal unless the owner or insurance company accepts it. It usally has too much prep work to it. Its your truck and you have the say what goes on it. If they want to total it, Just go on the board and print off all the 93's for sale that are about the same mileage and condition of yours (before wreck), get a local trading post if there are any lightnings in it, go to autotrader.com and look for lightnings like yours. Take some prices and stick with it. Dont just settle for what ever, thats why thay call it a settlement, they try to get you to give up. Good luck, and I feel for you. Ive been hit 3 times,my mom 2 times and Its been a war every time.

 

[Ken Thompson]

To go along with johnlightning's post, get your local newspaper ads. Plan for a war, and do not lose contact with your truck.
Ken

 

[forddaddio]

You guys are amazing! Thanks to all who helped out.Looks like I'll be dealing with these guys tomorrow so I appreciate the words of encouragement.I did take pics so I'll try to get these posted.In the meantime here is the carnage.Most of the damage is to the bed.The area from the tailgate to the rear left wheel is crumpled.The cab behind the driver seat has a huge dent where the bed impacted it from the force.The driver side door only opens about a 1/4 of the way.The front end did not get it so bad, it has damege to the bumper and spoiler and of course the fog lights.The front left fender has damage and the left light and the housing as well both cracked.I can only be grateful that the only thing damged was the truck.The bed acted as a bumper and absorbed a ton of impact.I can only imagine what may have happened if I was in one of these tin cans.These trucks can take alot of punishment.

 

[GOT BOOST?]

Sounds like you don't have any frame damage. Get that puppy fixed and back on the road. Been reading about too many GEN1 L's getting totalled lately.

 

[sstock]

forddaddidio,
The first rule of battle with insurance companies is to use the Boy Scout motto! Be prepared! Know in advance before your vehicle is involved in an accident about a plan of attack!
Never Ever have the tow truck take the vehicle to the tow truck impound yard! In fact if you have any idea at all that the hit will put your vehicle in jeoparty of being totaled, have it towed to your house directly. If you are going to the hospital directly,Always carry a spare check in your wallet or cash to plan on this because the towing company is going to be want to be payed COD.
This is the only thing about the Mighty USA that I don't understand...... These towing agencies think that after the wreck that the pocession of your vehicle seems to be theirs now. In fact almost like your vehicle is in jail now and the only ones that can get it out is the insurance agency, all along accruing daily exhorbant, storage fees.
If you have a modified vehicle such as stereo equipment or say a blower on a Gen 1, you definately don't want them knowing that until it is on your terms. Bottom line is it will eventually cost you another tow to the fix it place but you will be in control of YOUR property while you hack it out.
Never settle in the first round, you will get low balled without even as much as a reach around!
I've been a Firefighter for 22 years and the last 10 as a officer and I can tell you that I personally have helped many unfortunate victims of collisions to keep their vehicles in the own control while they are off to the hospital to get treated! Don't drop your guard they will bend you over, and remember if they did'nt have an insurance job, they would be selling used cars!
Fraternally,
Steve

 

[Chris Wood]

insurance companies suck!!!

Here a while back my wife was involved in a bumper scratch in a mall parking lot (private property). Look at my sig. I have 4 vehicles, full coverage on all except the Capri, $500.00 deductible. Since the accident occoured on private property, ther is no declaration of fault. Got an estimate 850.00, so to save the hassle, and rising rates, I pay it out of pocket, i would have only saved about 350.00. We get the sport trac fixed, about two months later, I get a letter from my insurance company, telling me I'm high risk and they are putting me into another bracket. I was paying 199.00/ month for all of my coverage, now it is 550.00!! damn, that pisses me off! I havent filed a claim with the insurance company in years! sons of bitches.

Be careful!! Sorry about the L

 

[gadrix]

Same thing happened to me in Austin on I35 lower. Came over a hill about 70 and all traffic was stopped. I got on the brakes hard, got stopped but the kid behind me couldn't. He hit me and I hit the truck in front.

Damage was minimized because of my roll pan and his Honda Accord. The nose of his car went under the rolled pan and stopped when it hit his windshield. The back wheels of my truck were off the ground about 3 foot. While we were standing there, the Lightning just rolled off it.

If you want a suggestion, take it to BlueBonnet Motors body shop in New Braunfels. Ask to talk to Brian Schwenn. Tell him Craig Goedrich sent you. He is a good friend of mine and talked the insurance adjuster out of totaling it. One thing I wished I would have done is gotten some new headlight lenses out of it. I did get new foglamps. Also put on a XL bumper. The painted it and put on the air dam.

They did a great job (no frame damage). I also had them clearcoat paint the whole truck, very reasonably with a lifetime paint warranty.

Just a suggestion and good luck.

 

[LIGHTNINGLINDSEY2]

Re: insurance companies suck!!!

Here a while back my wife was involved in a bumper scratch in a mall parking lot (private property). Look at my sig. I have 4 vehicles, full coverage on all except the Capri, $500.00 deductible. Since the accident occoured on private property, ther is no declaration of fault. Got an estimate 850.00, so to save the hassle, and rising rates, I pay it out of pocket, i would have only saved about 350.00. We get the sport trac fixed, about two months later, I get a letter from my insurance company, telling me I'm high risk and they are putting me into another bracket. I was paying 199.00/ month for all of my coverage, now it is 550.00!! damn, that pisses me off! I havent filed a claim with the insurance company in years! sons of bitches.

Be careful!! Sorry about the L

HI DAVID here who is your ins co, just wondering

 

[Chris Wood]

Librerty mutual.