My 300D met a deer tonight. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Junkman · #16 11-21-2015, 02:49 PM

I only call insurance companies after knowing the situation. A deer is likely a "non-chargeable" accident. This varies by state. For anything chargeable, you have to weigh the effect on your premiums vs the repair cost minus the deductible.

Any little bump is likely to total an easily repairable care. Datsun Z people would love to find an example as good as my SD parts car. Wait another 5-10 years and our cars will also be much fewer. We may have to make our fuel.

Mxfrank · #17 11-21-2015, 04:56 PM

Sorry to say, but the distinction between chargeable and non-chargeable is going to depend on your driving record, the insurance company and whether your state has no-fault. As a rule of thumb no matter where you live, if you have five reportable events in five years, you're going to be put into a high risk pool with high risk rates or you will be refused renewal. A reportable event is anything from an accident (your fault or not, even with a deer) to a ticket to an innocent window repair under all glass coverage.

Drago · #18 11-21-2015, 05:44 PM

Hit a deer in my 93 300D, $600 in materials $30 dollars in beer and a couple of weekends

JamesDean · #19 11-24-2015, 03:30 PM

Well guys,

The adjuster came out and looked at it last week. He sent over some information:

Car Value = About $1900
Repair Estimate = $5464

They want to call it a total loss and give me $1900 for it or $1600 if I want to keep it.

In that first email they didn't bother to send me a breakdown of the repair cost. Just a single page with the number on it.

I emailed the adjuster for the breakdown. He sent it back with an email saying he was anxious to hear my decision (about $1900 or $1600 I presume).

I looked at the estimate. I scanned it in here, I thought you guys could use a good laugh. If you weed through it, there is a good one in there about using all these genuine parts but skimping out and getting a used turn signal. I seem to recall my mom saying that he (the adjuster) said he had trouble finding parts.

http://i.imgur.com/pS1Din0.png

http://i.imgur.com/ewSWWBm.png

http://i.imgur.com/52TIgZl.png

http://i.imgur.com/JgtNTzO.png

Full album of pics and stuff:
2015-11-18 1991 300D Deer Hit - Album on Imgur

TnBob · #20 11-24-2015, 04:42 PM

His $1900 value sure needs to be challenged. Where could you find a replacement for that price ??? No doubt you have a mountain of paperwork proving what you have done, he needs to see that too.

take a peek. Search All Junk | Ever wanted to search multiple classifieds sites at once? | Home

JamesDean · #21 11-24-2015, 05:02 PM

Here is what they initially sent me. 9 pages of how they found my car's value...and one page of the repair estimate...without a breakdown..

See the end of the album, after the last "total loss" page.

I also see they have a 300E in there for comparison..
http://imgur.com/a/fG7q4/layout/grid

97 SL320 · #22 11-24-2015, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Well guys,

The adjuster came out and looked at it last week. He sent over some information:

Car Value = About $1900
Repair Estimate = $5464

They want to call it a total loss and give me $1900 for it or $1600 if I want to keep it.

This is why I don't keep comp on any of my cars. The preminum Vs pay out benefit isn't there. In 95 I bought a 91 Dodge Spirit for Mom, the insurance co thought it odd that I didn't want comp. I paid $ 3,500 ( wholesale ) and could get her another one same day out of pocket it it was a total loss. I'd probably only consider comp on a car with a value of over $ 20 K , this isn't because I have big $, it is a choice to self insure limit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

In that first email they didn't bother to send me a breakdown of the repair cost. Just a single page with the number on it.

I emailed the adjuster for the breakdown. He sent it back with an email saying he was anxious to hear my decision (about $1900 or $1600 I presume).

It is a lot of work to generate an accurate down to the part estimate. If the adjuster could not find used parts they defaulted to new as there is not other choice. Once you list a few parts, it gets apparent that it exceeds the value of the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

I looked at the estimate. I scanned it in here, I thought you guys could use a good laugh. If you weed through it, there is a good one in there about using all these genuine parts but skimping out and getting a used turn signal. I seem to recall my mom saying that he (the adjuster) said he had trouble finding parts.

You pretty much answered why the adj went with new. ( used parts are not in his system. )

Volvo Diesel · #23 11-24-2015, 06:06 PM

Definitely challenge the value. For comparison purposes (even though it really isn't an apt comparison as they are two totally different vehicles), Progressive paid a bit over $3,500 to repair my '85 300D with 275,000 miles just last year. I was tapped from behind by a semi on the highway in stop and go traffic. The damage was minor but the trunk lid was bent so they had to paint, blend, etc., and the whole rear bumper assembly had to be replaced. The adjuster told me after the repairs were authorized that they had valued the car at $5,285. Note that I did fax over comps to the adjuster before I even had a phone conversation with him, and during the first conversation I asked if he needed to look through the folder of all repair receipts since 12/85.

gatorblue92 · #24 11-24-2015, 06:29 PM

Here are some comps from eBay.

I would forward these on and ask when the body shop will have the repairs completed.

Mercedes Benz 300 Series 4DR Sedan | eBay

Mercedes-Benz : E-Class E300D DIESEL

Mercedes Benz E Class Diesel | eBay

JamesDean · #25 11-24-2015, 07:18 PM

Here the estimate from the first body shop:

I can probably knock out the cost for the headlight, corner marker and the radiator support.. That will take it down near what they said the "actual car value" is..

JamesDean · #26 11-24-2015, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volvo Diesel

Definitely challenge the value.

How does one challenge the value? Like what do you do to prove its more than what they picked?

I have a notebook and spreadsheet full of items that have been done to it since I've owned it.

JamesDean · #27 11-24-2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Here the estimate from the first body shop:

I can probably knock out the cost for the headlight, corner marker and the radiator support.. That will take it down near what they said the "actual car value" is..

I was able to get the quote down to $1957 by sourcing the radiator support bar and headlight/corner my self.. Insurance valued the car just below that..

mannys9130 · #28 11-24-2015, 10:09 PM

Unfortunately with these old Mercedes, it helps to get a policy with an agreed upon value. That way, this doesn't happen where they try to dork you around with comparisons that devalue your car.

This whole comparison thing happened with my 190E that I had a long time ago, but I made out. The car was bought for $1100 and they totaled it for $3000.

Volvo Diesel · #29 11-24-2015, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

How does one challenge the value? Like what do you do to prove its more than what they picked?

I have a notebook and spreadsheet full of items that have been done to it since I've owned it.

It's sort of standard operating procedure for the insurance company to initially value the car at the lowest possible figure. It's easy enough to understand why. You need to tell them that you don't agree that their offered dollar amount represents the actual monetary value of the car. Provide them with examples of truly comparable cars that have sold for more money. Make sure to include examples that have actually sold. Explain to them why the comps they picked are incorrect. Maintenance and repair receipts can be very helpful as well to demonstrate the car was mechanically solid. At the end of the day, it's sort of like haggling with a seller for a lower price....except you want to be going in the opposite direction.

Based on the other quote you received for the necessary work, you really only need to demonstrate to them that the car is worth a bit more than the cost to repair. It's nice to be able to avoid the buy back/salvage title hassle if possible.

JamesDean · #30 11-24-2015, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mannys9130

Unfortunately with these old Mercedes, it helps to get a policy with an agreed upon value. That way, this doesn't happen where they try to dork you around with comparisons that devalue your car.

This whole comparison thing happened with my 190E that I had a long time ago, but I made out. The car was bought for $1100 and they totaled it for $3000.

Our insurance calls out "stated value $8000" for my 300D however..its not apparently true.

Its the lesser of:

stated value
actual car value
repair value