Re: my totaled 90 and parts

[OorQue@aol.com]

>  If somebody wants me to grab something else off the
>  car, I'll see if I can talk the junkyard (Clody's) into it.  Obviously, the
>  smaller and more insignificant, the easier.

Until the insurance company has paid you for it, it's still *your* car and 
you're free to take any parts off that you want, no matter where it's parked. 
 Even if they intend to total it, there's no law that says you have to give 
them a complete car ... if you really want to keep the wheels and tires or 
stereo, etc., then keep them and have them adjust their value for the car 
accordingly.  In general, salvage yards will rarely pay more than 20 percent 
of the retail value of the car so, for example, keeping $2k worth of car 
stereo or whatever shouldn't cost you more than $400 at the outside.   
  
>  Now, my question:  Farmer's (the other driver's insurance) is going to get
>  back to me with an offer for a check.  If it seems low to me, is it open 
for
>  negotiation (perhaps by citing prices in the paper), or do I just have to
>  take what I can get?

By all means, negotiate.  And don't forget the time-factor of money ... the 
sooner you want to settle, the less you will end up getting.  IME, the longer 
you can drag out the negotiations, the more you'll eventually collect.  Don't 
forget the medical waiver most insurance companies want you to sign has value 
to them as well ... I've had friends collect up to $5k just for signing the 
waiver alone, even though they weren't seriously injured!  Even if you only 
suffered headaches and sore muscles, there's also the time you'll have to 
take off to shop for another car, etc. to be considered.  Again, I know of no 
law that prevents you from being compensated for these things as well. 

>  How long will they tolerate my keeping the rental car while I car shop? 
(they've been evasive on this point)

The insurance companies will usually use this as a negotiating lever on their 
side ... if you can, buy your replacement car with other funds since the 
insurance company knows that most people can't afford to outwait them and 
once they take the rental car away, they usually have no alternative but to 
settle for however much they can get.

Good luck!

JG