83 300D - Vandalized - Insurance Adventure - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

71inka02 · #1 01-20-2009, 07:50 PM

Hooters - New Year Eve - 100 miles from home - a group (9) of drunken spanish speaking guys blocking the drive/parking area - my car a DIESEL, meaning you can HEAR it running - I was trying to drive thru lot - they heard and saw me - they didn't move - I gestured with hands...motioning I wanted to get thru - they said words once they let me pass - parked in lot next to Hooters - went in, avoiding the drunken 9 (of course when I was younger and stupid, I'd have jumped out and probably been beaten--but they would have remembered me) - dark when I left - New Years Day I noticed "keying" on my freshly painted Benz - contacted Insurance company and filed Police Report on Jan 2nd - 19 days later, after much communication, bouts with blood pressure levels at extreme highs - settlement has been reached - Insurance and NC Law requires car to be declared "Total Loss"......damage at or above 75% of value = total loss.

Insurance Co., used CList and local newspaper to find comparable vehicles -- all 3 had rust, faded paint and were in need of many repairs - I finally persuaded claims department, by doing their job for them, and provided 'links' to web information and Indy dealers, as well as NADA to give them "real" information - Once they had good information, and agreed to listen - the process moved nicely...so frustration with my Ins. Co. of 10 yrs, has passed. Still going to shop them anyway....

Lesson learned: Have your car appraised, have your insurance agent take pictures and keep on file, keep receipts and be ready to fight, or go with "classic car" insurance....The battle can be won.

Final outcome: NC Law allows, and requires the Ins. Co. to offer the owner to "retain" the car, but it will be tagged with a "salvage title"...I'm going to "retain", or buy the car back from the insurance company --- Salvage value, to buy the car back is $20.25!! Is that SICK or what....

In NC, a salvage title is no big deal - especially if you can document why, and have car inspected and it's proven road worthy and safe --- They can even carry full insurance coverage.

Spent several sleepness nights pondering the future of my car --- I going to sell it....It was for sale anyway ---- Someone is going to get a great deal on a great car - Price just dropped way low....Solid no rust car w/ 211,xxx miles...Less than 3K miles on new Michelin tires, new injectors and new glow plugs...everyday driver. If you know of anyone interested in a W123 that needs some paint work --- Send me a PM and we'll discuss further.

I posted pictures - some before and after - including today w/ snow on it: http://s571.photobucket.com/albums/ss152/71inka02/

PS....Has anyone heard from the member who had his 123 burn up in the church parking lot???? Curious his experience with insurance company....

cphilip · #2 01-21-2009, 02:57 PM

Checking in Randy. Hey... I am very interested in this car. One thing that I can do is paint. Oddly enough didn't have to do so on my other one. But I am fairly good at paint and body. Lets discuss. As I told you in my PM's I am still waiting on the insurance company's first offer. Nothing yet.

But lets talk about your car and see if we can meet up.