millionmileguy

I personally driven 3 mercedes (combined) well over a million miles. Chose to take my 91 300e to a million and now with 646,000 miles on her (gas) same engine no rebuild was rear ended by a careless driver. She is fixable but insurance company says it a totaled because of the age and mileage. The mileage is the asset. At this point in the game it wont make it to the mercedes meusem, on the david letterman or jay leno show or be able to be used for advertising campaigns for mercedes longevity because of a careless driver. They want to pay me 2,200.00 for her and think Im satisfied. Ok guys and gals get the word out please.

N_Jay

Find a few "Comparable" cars and prove that it is worth over the $2200.

What is the repair cost estimate?

millionmileguy

estimate to repair about 4,000. sent them comps ranging from 4,900-5,600. They found a junker listed for sale at 1,900 and credited me $200.00 For my $569.00 tires. The issue is make me whole as to where I was so I can continue on my journey to well past the million mile mark. Whats that worth? At present that opportinity has been taken by a careless driver. Whats that worth? and thank you for your reply.

N_Jay

Keep sending them Comps and point out why their $1900 car is not comparable.

I went through this with a totaled 1989 Rage Rover in 1995 and ended up getting their initial $16K offer up to $21k

smo0othride

While the high mileage is impressive, it only gives the car a high value to you and most other people would not see a car with that high of mileage as valuable. The insurance is making a fair and reasonable offer, and if the car has that much sentimental value to you then you're going to have to pay for it to get fixed out of pocket.

N_Jay

The issue is they owe you enough to get a comparable car.

Don't settle for less.

If you have been a customer for any length of time and they hope to keep you as a customer, they will make you happy (as long as you are reasonable).

millionmileguy

Im dealing with the careless drivers insurance company. Also, the statutes reads comparable car in model, age and mileage. Impossible to find mileage that is comparable or is it. We're at a stalemate.

N_Jay

Is it a big insurance company runninmg a lot of feel good advertising?
Have you been with them a while?
Do you have a lawyer friend to help you write a persuasive (but reasonable) letter explaining what you consdider to be comparable to a car you have personally maintained and trusted for 600,000 miles, and request them to put on paper exactly what they consider to be "comparable", and why the cars you priced out are not and why the one they found is.

Notably (VERY) copy your Lawyer friend

babyman1737

It looks like bluebook (and real) value for the car are a little over $3,000. You should be paid at least that, maybe $3,500 if the insurance company is really generous.

Do you by chance mean they're paying you $2,200 and you get to keep your damaged vehicle? Because that sounds about right. Like $3,200 and you have to pay $1,000 to buy back = $2,200 ?

millionmileguy

yes, 2,200.00 and i keep car with major catch in state of florida. results in destruction of title rendering my car if at best yard art. cannot be driven on any roads.

babyman1737

Well that makes a lot more sense. They're totaling out our vehicle, and you are opting to buy it back. Price sounds about right. Unfortunately, insurance company cannot pay you for sentimental value.

millionmileguy

its much more than sentimental value, see post #1, a deliberate goal to surpass 1 million miles for various reasons stated and those come with alot of value. A million mile car gets alot of media coverage.

N_Jay

Unless you purchased a "Stated Value" policy to cover the intangible value of the car, that argument will not carry any weight with the insurance company.

You have to focus on what the policy covers.

Make them show you what they consider "comparable", and you show then why they are incorrect.

The only way to win is to be Reasonable and FIRM,
and FIRM and Reasonable.

Know what you want/need, have good solid LOGICAL reasons why it is within the policy.

Don't over think it, or try to out smart them (They are experts in that area).

Instead, keep the discussion very simple.
Them: Here is a car that is comparable.
You: I don't agree for reasons 1, 2, 3, . . .
You: Here is a car I think is comparable.
(If they don't agree) Ask why they don't agree.

Good luck.

millionmileguy

thanks for your reply. well put. also lookking for any 300e owner in united states years 90,91,92, with over 600,000 miles that is mechanically solid and driven daily.

N_Jay

Don't limit yourself to 600k cars.

Get prices on 100k, 200k, etc. that show that if well maintained the value stops decreasing with mileage.

Show that if you simply want to replace it with a car of EQUAL condition, they owe you what you are asking.

sylus

to be honest the 600k miles is more of a boast than a value item

your insurance would only give you the value of your car and that year against condition.

never accept the first offer and always counter with comparisons. facts and figures work better for you than emotions

millionmileguy

its not a boast its a rare fact of deliberate intentions to surpass the million mile mark because yes that comes with alot of value. Read up on high mileage cars reguardless of the make and see the benefits bestowed upon those people that made it without interuptions from a careless driver. thanks for your reply.