Sure.


Just not for "agreed value"


Try explaining to an insurance agent what makes an old "AMG" car worth so much. You will get the"dumb stare".

Every time.

The State Farm guy didn't know what I was talking about, Then I reminded him about the 18 million they just had to pay out. :D

Its not MY policy dealing with this--or as this subject--not JIMS policy -unless it was his fault, It's the other dimbulb driver that im refering to--They -usually State Farm cannot tell someone that they are running the show and are gonna walk all over the guy who incurred the damage!

Yes I saw a expo on "Why state Farm wants you to Drive a Ford Taurus" and Jim you gone along and bought your contemporary version except bigger, and the insurance company is still trying to give you the monky buisness.

Well, live and learn, I guess. I am going to look around for another insurance company that does not follow such parsimonious claims procedures.

Paying premiums faithfully since 1987 counts for nothing when it comes to claims, evidently. We are no longer a good fit, time to think about divorce.


And yes, it will be a remanufactured bumper cover. One came in today, and for a reman it looked pretty good. So I ordered the body shop to shoot it and hang it.

So I saved the $250 supplement by accepting that.

Maybe the car will be done in 2-3 days. It's been there since 6/29 which is a long time for such extremely minor damage..mostly just waiting for a bumper cover.


A new bumper cover even TODAY still can NOT be found or released by FoMoCo in either Canada or the USA.

Totally ran into a brick wall trying to get one, so I am glad both a used and a new one got ordered at the same time, and I had told the shop to use whichever one came in first, and it it was new, I would pay the supplement if forced.

I like driving and using the Grand Marquis, but am generally underwhelmed with Ford parts and service, sad to say.

They are indifferent. Doubtful I would EVER consider buying another vehicle from them, and anyhow the last Mercury Grand Marquis rolls of the line late this year, last of the good American cars, if you asked me.

Here some link about ford recycling
http://eerc.ra.utk.edu/ccpct/pdfs/eprn5-8.pdf

When I realized Geico at less coverages, was 130%+ Nationwide's quote on my motorcoach, I took a hike 13 months ago. I have never had a claim or accident using Geico on my MBs since 1991, nor this motorcoach since 2003.

There is no loyalty, they are animals that consume money by investing premiums before they have to pay most of it out in claims to survive. It's called 'float'. Berkshire-Hathaway Inc. now has in the neighborhood of $50,000,000,000.00 (billion dollars) of float in all their insurance operations worldwide, including Geico. This is money that is free for them to use/invest, which costs them nothing to procure or handle. How's that for a racket?

Insurance companies are the only companies I know of that make all their money, by holding money that was placed in their open hands by their insureds - they are the perfect money making machine. One step under the government, in their business model. All they are, are bookies in effect. It's an extremely difficult business to be successful in - since you sometimes get wiped out. But getting wiped out allows them to jack premiums up. it really is a vicious circle - the racket they're in.

all car manufacturers have issues with parts and/or service. the Grand Marquis is a fine road car and may be among the last of the rear wheel drive cars. the last few Ford's I've driven were very nice and handled well. again, a car is a mechanical device which is prone to problems and the companies behind them are run by people, hence none of them are perfect.

There will be RWD's in the future but not like the Towne Car -if you buy new cars better get one by the spring 2011.

someone once told me that when front wheel drive cars first came out, Mercedes seriously looked into it. after exhaustive testing, they determined that in an emergency situation, a rear wheel drive car tracked and handled better, thus they stayed RWD. at least up until the new stuff.....

Jim, were you able to get around having your Mercury fixed properly?

I'm sort of in the same boat, somebody rear ended my 300D and it's currently in the shop. Originally it was supposed to be inspected Monday, then they rescheduled for today. Then they call me and say they cannot make it and will have to reschedule Monday July 18th. I don't need a rental because I have another car, but I have a feeling they'll be doing the same thing. The body shop is a shop recommended by my friends, and has done work on their MB's.

The name of the insurance company is similar to what has been mentioned here. :rolleyes: I want the car to be fixed properly, it needs new (or used but good condition) tail lights, rear bumper, bumper shocks and trunk lid. From afar you can't tell what's wrong but if you look closer you'll see the trunk is pushed in a little, the tail lights broke inside the trunk and cracked the lenses, and the bumper was dented on both sides where the front bumper of her Nissan Pathfinder Armada touched the my car, TWICE.

This thread has great useful info I need to prepare myself for the other party's insurance claims adjuster for when they give me an estimate.

Sorry to hear about that, MBeige. Don't hold your breath for any adjuster allowing new parts for your repair.

If you want new parts, you might be best to settle with them and take a cheque... then order the stuff through Fastlane yourself, where you will probably be able to buy new for about what his databases will spit out as used price allowances for your parts.

My 300d that I purchased with damage was in excellent condition and the PO's insurer had agreed to fix it, but even on that car they did not allow for a new fender or doorskin, or inner tub repair panel. Everything was refinish and buy used... though for what they estimated as the repair cost, the insured could have purchased another above-average condition 300d.

Last time I checked, PanZZer had some really nice looking taillights for sale, by the way....

Thanks, I'm not expecting to get brand new parts but at least get good parts that are at the same level, if not better, than the ones the car had before it was hit. Thing is the car itself has so many nice parts that finding a good used one will be very hard.

I agree that the best way to go about this is to ask what the maximum value I can get without them writing off the car. Then I'd have to mention the diminished value. :rolleyes: