A&Q about Lotus
Q:
some sad story... got my new Lotus Elise 3 week's ago and last week a lady oversaw it on the parking lot and drove into the back (while I was having lunch with colleagues..) .... after having done this she drove away but luckily an eye witness saw her and I could run after her and catch her on the other side of the parking lot..... got all her details and her insurance involved (State Farm Insurance)
The Team from Lotus of Durham was very helpful and wrote an estimate (replacement of rear clam, paint and starshield) for approx. 6K USD the next day. Called insurance and they agreed to settle but now comes the interesting part.... they do not agree with the amount (not yet) and the adjuster said that this should be repaired like a corvette in a fiber glass body shop and they do not agree on putting new starshield on the car neither... to me completely unacceptable.
Did anybody have similar experience with a claim adjuster of State Farm Insurance or any other insurance in North Carolina or Virginia (was told that there is a similar case in Virginia currently...)
All comments, suggestions, help are very welcome... Thanks' in advance.
A:
just a comment or two...
you may be eligible for a diminished value claim also. i hope that the other driver was cited for hit and run. if not, you may want to pursue that as well. it could provide leverage with the other party's insurer. you also have the option of placing a claim with your insurance company as it could give you a better chance of being made whole without all the drama. they'll just take the loss to State Farm.
oh, and a corvette shop to repair your brand new car... pfftt. no f'ing way.
$0.02
A:
Same situation. State Farm was the carrier for the person that backed into me (with 14 miles on the car!). Same crap. Wanted me to take it to a corner garage (not). Wanted to have some lame company transport to L of D (not). Wanted to argue fiberglass repair (not). Didn't mention diminished value (had to sue, got $5500 for $200 worth of legal fees using one letter from the dealer).
State Farm NC: bad company. Get a lawyer. Best $200 I ever spent. New clam. Repair excellent by Lotus of Durham. Old clam resides as a stage in my home movie theater. Got my check this week. Accident was in January. Had to pay for the repairs out of my own pocket until it was settled.
A:
I suggest that you two share information, then contact the claims adjuster with the information. If he persists, advise him that you will pursue a bad faith claim, then tell him that you are going to share the information from both claims with the Insurance Commissioner.
Mark
A:
what a headache - good luck with all of this...
A:
and i know for a fact that state farm will pay loss of value on a claim. been there, was paid that.
A:
When dealing with a recalcitrant adjuster while trying to get my claim paid I dropped the statement that their driver ran a stop sign. Just like that the issue got resolved. You might want to mention that their driver was a hit and run. I'd also let the driver know that you will pursue that if they don't fully pay for the repairs.
A:
Thank's a lot for everybody's help...
Talked to the insurance again and their approach I think is moving a little. Also talked to Lotus USA (Andy Plant). Insurance will get in contact with him / Lotus USA on monday.
Lotus of Durham has been a great help and the Body Shop Manager has been very very patient so far with the insurance...
I will post updates over the next day's and will let everybody know the outcome. But my clear conclusion at this stage is that dealing with StateFarm (not my insurance but the lady's insurance that wrecked by car) is far below the level that I would expect any insurance customer to be treated....