Well, they offically totalled the Jeep today. The offered payout was expectedly low. How the hell do they figure out how much to pay you? Ive tried taking the average of all the comps and taking 20-25% off of that and my figure is still higher than what they offered. I have most of an email ready to be sent with my math etc to the adjuster but just curious if there might be something im forgetting about trying or linking or if anyone has any tips, tricks, hints, magic dance or voodoo to actually get more out them?

Don't they use the KBB or NADA book?

Appraiser said that WA state doesn't go by book value, its based off of comps. He also said that they take the middle figure of the comps but that hasnt been true thus far.

I kinda remember, but refresh me. (edit, I remember now, you swerved to miss a deer and rolled?)

DO you plan to buy it back for salvage cost?

My ins. Is paying for it. No, i do not plan on buying it back

I'd ask to see the comps it was being compared to.

Insurance companies are a pain in the ass to deal with. Back in '04 I bought a beautiful black on black '02 Durango R/T with all kinds of extra dealership add on's that had a grand total of 11k miles. I had that thing exactly two weeks and ended up driving into a rockery retaining wall trying to avoid a large German Shepard that came bolting out of a driveway. He survived, my new car didn't

My former insurance company tried to screw me over with a similar story. Comps this, comps that and I asked them to show me what they were looking at. Come to find out, what they were doing was taking trade in values and averaging them out and subtracting about 15%. We went round and round until' they gave a little, but not much. I needed a car, needed the payment paid off, and moved on. Still bugs me.

They were decent enough to have comps that listed the dealer it was at blah blah, only one was still shown on the dealer website (they had 5 different dealers ranging from olympia to oak harbor) if i average the comps then subtract 20% id be 2500 more than i was offered.

Not exactly helpful in this instance, but if you're ex-military or otherwise eligible, get your insurance through USAA.

Not sure if your aware bit you have 3yrs to settle. They hate it when you don't settle right away. They always want to hurry along the process. If you can be patient and do some more research it will benefit you greatly.

That doesnt really make sense. How are they offering you so much less than the comps they provided? They should (at least I think) also be adding in sales tax and licensing so them being that much below their own comps just doesnt jive.

As much as I hate our insurance commissioner their office is pretty good at helping consumers through this type of thing. They might be helpful.

Is this your insurance company or someone else’s? If it’s yours and you have any kind of relationship with your broker, talk to them for some help.

Beyond that, get as much data as you can to get a reasonable amount. Politely demand that amount and show your comps explaining that your amount is a fair market value. Also use KBB to estimate sale value.

After doing all this homework, they will probably still not budge. This is to be expected. If they don’t, then write a letter to the company and adjuster, yes an actual letter in the USPS mail, documenting their case for them (ie list all the comps, and establish the fair value). In the letter tell them that this is your final request before you pursue other avenues.

The adjuster will probably call you with a better offer at this point. It might not be what you want, but it will be better. If it’s good enough, then take it and move on. If it’s not good enough then file a case.

If it’s less than $5k, it will go to small claims court where you represent yourself. As I understand it, judges are pretty lenient toward the person suing an insurance company as long as the claim is reasonable. If it’s more than $5k you’re looking at a regular civil court and you should hire a lawyer, who will probably take a cut of any winnings.

Source: this is what I learned while battling an insurance company over diminished value when my new car got rear ended. I stopped at the “good enough” because it was $500 away from my desired amount. I figured that it wasn’t worth my time and hassle to go to court over a $500 difference.


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I don't know why you are ok with settling for 15% below average market. I would find a few clean history, dealership sale with a 5,000 mile bracket of your current miles cars and make them pay the average of that.

What company is this?

Pull comps from car gurus, autotrader and carfax.

Also back it with KBB.

If they still refuse then threaten to file an R-67 claim against them for "delaying or denying legitimate claims." Look up R-67. If you have a solid case they will be scared shitless.

You can also talk to the office of the Washington State Insurance Commissioner. Even mentioning that you are considering filing a complaint or inquiry can get you some pretty quick favorable attention. If that doesn't work, file a formal complaint. Insurance companies absolutely HATE that shit. Every complaint has to be investigated and goes toward some sort of published rating. Explain your concerns and beefs. Take your time. The insurance company wants to short change you and settle as quickly as possible. Generally, once they figure out you're not going to cave that easily, and with the State breathing down their neck, they get a little more generous. It is a major PITA to deal with those reptiles. Stay strong. You have my sympathy for what it is worth.

as others have said, absolutely do not take tyhier 1st offer. Many are worse than the worst used car salesman. They want to get out of it cheap as possible.

Stay solid. Do your own comps, find rigs in same shape, year approx mileage and options. Then add your sales tax, licensing, etc and send that back to them saying that is replacement cost. Plus the state agency info as mentioned.