Anybody have any tips on how to get insurance company to value the car higher because of my 3.4 liter swap? I plan to keep the salvage, but want to maximize the payout.

 

Receipts. Or, "receipts".

 

After the fact, good luck.

:wabbit2:

 

photos, proof of some kind: 1/4 mile times, speeding tickets, etc.

 

It's really going to depend upon the company you are insured with and your policy contract with them. First thing to do is to read through the collision or comprehensive section of your policy (whichever is applicable). Some will read that they will only cover for factory or similar parts (aftermarket, salvage, etc). It will vary how this is worded in the contract. Any customizations would then be covered by an endorsement (if offered and would be subject to an additional premium). If your policy doesn't have this language, the simplest thing to do is to talk with the adjuster and ask what they would consider as proof of the customization and the associated additional value of the vehicle. Some in a total loss situation would consider resale valuations of comparable vehicles (in other words, similar vehicles in your home area with same or similar customizations are selling for.) Some might consider receipts if you have them. Consider this though... I'm assuming you'll be keeping the vehicle and there is no damage to the engine. In this case, you haven't really lost anything by the body of the vehicle being damaged. Depending on the adjuster's judgement, the fact that there is a different engine in the vehicle may not effect the vehicle's value anyway... Just giving you a little different perspective on things. Hope this helps.

 

Who's at fault?

If you are at fault, you're pretty much SOL unless you had made the company aware of what was done to the truck and got it appraised by an independent appraiser. You may get a little for the "newer" engine, but they would adjust it as if it were a new/rebuilt 3.0 and base the value off that.

If the other party is at fault... receipts, receipts, receipts. You won't get your labor back, so don't ask. Comps help so start looking for similarly built rigs for sale. Don't be afraid to say no to their offers, just play hardball.

If you're buying the salvaged truck back, bear in mind that the higher you get the price to go, the higher your buyback price may be.

I used to work as an adjuster. Don't let them run you over, but be reasonable about the fact that you are talking about a 23 year old truck and sentimental value is worth nothing.

 

Thanks for the tips. It was me versus a tree on a jeep trail, and the tree is uninsured, so I am proceeding against my own insurance company.

What would be useful is a "comp" of a listing of a first gen with a 3.4 swap. Anybody have any idea where to find one of those? (Probably hard to find -- why would anyone want to sell such a fine machine!)

 

They have been in the classifieds. Gonna take some leg work on your part

 

One of the comps they used was a private listing that said "new motor." They adjusted my value down by $800 because my 3.4 wasn't "new." I think I should be able to get a few hundred of that back. Thoughts?

 

You hit a tree on a trail, offroad.

I say you take what they're offering as it wasn't anyones fault but yours.
not trying to be. Adick, but if they find out it was offroad, I doubt they'd pay anything.
as far as I know. But I could be wrong.

If I was in your situation id take what they were offering, consider I got lucky to get anything.
I don't know if I would even try to claim insurance if I hit a tree offroading..

Goodluck

 

Comprehensive means comprehensive. Yep, it was my fault, but I was totally honest about how it happened, and they are prepared to cover it.

 

I had a friend that a women ran a stop sign pretty much tee boned his vehicle.

There again was a case of a highly modified vehicle trying to collect after the fact .

Now this was a few years ago last time we talked it still was not settled sad fact he is unable to touch this vehicle till this is settled.

So all the money he invested is being destroyed by the weather.

Now this is a catch 22 you want to insure all your upgrades as you go but are you willing to pay higher rates for enhanced coverage??