Please help, I have an emergency......
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2
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S430 4matic
Please help, I have an emergency......
Tonight I drove my precious 2004, S430 4matic down over a very steep 15-17 foot embankment and skid across an ice pond which nearly broke through the ice. I was ok but I am sick to my stomach to consider what this may have down to my beloved car. It was a massive snow storm and unavoidable. The police came and a towing company dragged my car out of the huge hole it was in. The hood is warped on the driver side, no longer lining up. The car was filled with a lot of really wet snow, all soaking into the seats and when they pulled it out of the ditch, the frame of the car was dragged across solid rock and gravel - it teatered like a sea-saw on rock and my heart sunk to see my baby twisted and mauled up that hill.....when the tow truck jockey looked at it is exclaimed "good as new" as if nothing had happened!!!!!!!! Tomorrow I go to my insurance company and I don't want any BS or nonsense when it comes to the "real" state of my car. What do I need to push for, even insist for?. I don't want pinion problems, twisted frame problems, very wet interior electronics. Hell I don't even want the damn car any more. I'm used to an air tight ride in luxury and am sooooo fearful of a rat trap full of squeeks and problems.....Please advise me - I really worried about going up against me insurance company (State Farm).
Many thanks in advance
Bob
Many thanks in advance
Bob
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 7
04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
You have your proirities skewed...
Damn that car and be glad you're alive!!From what you described it will more than likely be a total loss. the car onlly books barey over 20k retail so don;t think they are going to pay 15K on repairs..
All you cam push for is getting as close ti book as possoble from the settlement. I don't know anything about the previous condition of your car so I can't say what you should expect to get.
Damn that car and be glad you're alive!!From what you described it will more than likely be a total loss. the car onlly books barey over 20k retail so don;t think they are going to pay 15K on repairs..
All you cam push for is getting as close ti book as possoble from the settlement. I don't know anything about the previous condition of your car so I can't say what you should expect to get.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 960
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From: Long Island, NY & SE England
A Mercedes obviously!
The hood is warped on the driver side, no longer lining up. The car was filled with a lot of really wet snow, all soaking into the seats and when they pulled it out of the ditch, the frame of the car was dragged across solid rock and gravel - it teatered like a sea-saw on rock and my heart sunk to see my baby twisted and mauled up that hill.....
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 8
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W220 S55, R32 Skyline, F4i Stunt bike
Aim for complete total and look to the future of a new car. Fight for kelly blue book, not market value. Deals are to be found, and the nice thing is much like LandRover actual vehicle cost is far below kbb.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: San Jose, California USA
S500 Silver, Range Rover HSE Black
Total
You can get there quickly by demanding that all repairs are calculated with ONLY OEM GENUINE parts. That adds about 30% to the parts costs alone and helps get you to the total loss ratio quicker. Also, don't let State Farm try to use NADA book for value. It is always lower than Kelly BB which as the prev poster says is what is widely recognized as the gold standard. The exception is the current state of use car values like yours and other gas guzzling suv's that have virtually no buyers these days. Don't forget to list with any receipts upgrades you had on the car prior to the accident. I have USAA and they actually reimbursed me for window tinting and an upgraded GPS I had recently done in a claim I had couple of years ago.
Best of luck and hope you land a nice replacement after the check clears from State Farm! Accept nothing short of a total loss. Dont need the worry or time waiting for it to be reconstructed.
Best of luck and hope you land a nice replacement after the check clears from State Farm! Accept nothing short of a total loss. Dont need the worry or time waiting for it to be reconstructed.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Palm Springs, Ca
05 S430 & 99 SL500
If it helps, I spent yesterday fighting with the insurance company over a thief of my car. It's an 2005 S430 with 48k miles on it in perfect condition. Their first figure on what the car was worth was $28k. I wrote a big long letter and sent it back to the claims adjustor showing it was a certified used, perfect shape, etc. They are suppose to get back to me Monday regarding my letter. Luckily though they found the car last night a mile from my house. My house was broken into and they stole the car and the keys. They had only driven the car a mile with my stuff from the house and dumped the car. It's as perfect as the day they took it.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 7
04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo
THe O/P is a one thread wonder.. and not interested in his post.. WHy respond to it when he will likely never chime back in with this??.. check the post history.
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