Sorry for the long post, but I need some advise. A few weeks ago my '82 300CD was severely damaged in a high speed collision with, among other things, a couch and several guard rails. As I suspected, the car is being totalled. Unfortunately, the insurance adjuster and I do not seem to agree on the value of the vehicle. While far from concourse aesthetically, the car was nearly new mechanically. Every wearable suspension part front and rear, including new Bilstein HD shocks at all corners and new rear spring have been replaced in the last 20k miles (the rear springs and suspention was done *2 DAYS* before the accident). The transmission was rebuilt less than a year ago. The motor was (is) very strong, and the car only has 223,000 miles on it. The interior is very good except for one hole in the driver's seat and a few cracks in the wood. It is a unique color combo of silver on black interior. The paint is faded, but there is very little rust for a New England car. The insurance company wants to give me $1,600.00 for the car. I wasn't expecting much, but this seems low. I was hoping for something in the $2,500 to $3,000 range. Besides sending them all the receipts I have for work and parts on this car, is there anything else I can do? I really don't have the time for legal action, and for another $1,000 it's probably not worth it. But I do want to get fair market value for the vehicle. One important note is that this vehicle did not carry collision with my insurance company, so I am dealing directly with the other party's insurance. The other party was found fully at fault. Due to the nature of the accident, it falls under collision.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

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J.B. Hebert

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Current Vehicles:
'76 Ford Bronco
'78 Volvo 262C Bertone V8
'80 Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe (For Sale)
'94 Ford Explorer
'95 Mercedes E300D Sportline+

You can expect fair replacement value in addition to recent repairs or upgrades that were done........

Blue book means NOTHING.

Get multiple estimates of cars in equal condition, Add your recent work to that.

And be firm and stand your ground.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Bonehead is right but I would also like to add to get the receipts for the maintenance and repairs that you mention and present them to the property damage adjuster you are talking about. Also call him everyday. Be a pest. Be a nice pest. Send him a receipt a day. He will then just pay you more to get rid of you. Do not be belligerent, just keep plugging away at him. This always works. Everyday send him something and call him to make sure he got it. Similar car values, etc.

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The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!

Here is one in approximately the same condition, with miles in the same range on ebay, bidding at $3000 and the reserve hasn't even been met yet. Fax it to the insurance agent, and tell him you are going to fax the same web page to your lawyer if he doesn't write you a check for four grand. You need to point out the paragraph that says:

"Four doors are nice and the wagons are useful but it is always the two-door turbo diesel coupes that are the most desirable cars to own not only because of their legendary reliability and fuel efficiency but also because of their sleek design and timeless beauty! Far few two doors were made and thus this model is a rare find! The investment on this car increase as time goes by."

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6330&item=4508539968&rd=1

The car is rare enough to warrant the money, a lawyer would have a field day with it, and they would get stuck with attorney's fees. Bet he writes you a check.

1) Check if your state subscribes to the Uniform Fair Claims Settlement Practices code. If so, then there are prescribed conduct and rights outlined in the code.

2) Don't like the offer from the carrier? Then the burden is on you to prove what the "actual cash value" of the vehicle is, to make a reasoned counter-offer.

3) Can't get no satisfaction . . . small claims court against the owner of the other car. Remember, your statute of limitations clock is currently running.

Actually, it would be handled under the tortfeasor's liability coverage, as opposed to collision.

Others have also provided great advice. Get multiple estimates of the FMV of your vehicle and even consider hiring an appraiser to obtain a fair value.

Also, this link may be helpful......

E500 owner in trouble! Help Help!

Good luck!