Re: Insurance hassles

[Linus Toy <linust@mindspring.com>]

I think you're looking at this the wrong way.  Farmer's is trying to make
you whole--put your car back to the way it was before the damage (less your
deductible).  The way I see it, Farmer's is _encouraging_ you to get your
car fixed, and is willing to pay appropriately, but should you decide to
view this as pure economic damage, compensate you accordingly.  This is a
choice you make.

What if it were the other way around?  What if _you_ wanted to fix your car,
but the insurance company simply said "Here's your check--go figure out how
to do it" but left you a couple bills short?  Or would you rather have
Farmer's as your insurere?  

My experience with Farmer's (my current insurer) is that they have always
been very fair in dealing with me.  They have never questioned the shop I've
taken my cars to (known to be pricier than others) nor stipulated that
non-factory parts be used (as I've seen other companies try to do).  On this
last item, we're somewhat fortunate that the aftermarket doesn't chase
low-volume cars like our Audis too much.  My only complaint with Farmers is
they won't even consider insuring certain cars (which means when I buy a
certain German car, I'll have to change insurers).

my 2 pennies.
--Linus

At 01:41 AM 7/8/97 -0400, Drivfour@aol.com wrote:
>Drove my 5000csq to work during which time my other car was hail damaged.
>Farmers sent me to their COD shops for "estimate"  Amount seemed low to me so
>I asked the wife to get some more estimates- none of the body shops in Denver
>would attempt to give estimate once they found out it was a Farmers insured
>vehicle- you would think they saw a ghost. Have since been told that Farmers
>will pay the shop whatever the final bill comes to once the car is repaired.
> Since my deductable is $500 I have decided not to fix it.  I cannot get an
>unbiased "cash" estimate-  it's in everyones favor- except mine to low ball
>the estimate and collect after the repair.
>So have I been asleep and missed the change in car insurance? I feel that a
>loss is either now or at trade in time and if I keep the cash I am not making
>money, only even.
>Any insights from the list welcome.      Thanks JD in Denver

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* linus toy                       email:  linust@mindspring.com      *
* mercer island, wa                                                  *
*                                                                    *
*            Insanity is doing the same thing you've always          *
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*                               - Roger Milliken, Milliken & Co      *
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