So it looks like my Sienna will be a total loss. Repairs are in the $8k range. I have State Farm. Anyone here total a vehicle while being insured by State Farm? I'm wondering how their tactics are (how they'll try to screw me over).

Warren

 

Nope, but I had someone unsured by State Farm total my car. They were pretty easy to work with, actually, and value of my car was within 5% of what I'd estimated it to be worth.

 

back when I still had my civic, I rear-ended someone and came within a few hundred of a total loss. they actually wanted to total it, but we convinced them to cut a check for the value of the veh minus the salvage fee (about $1000), and I was able to fix it with a couple hundred to spare.

best of all, they didn't change the title to a salvage.

I've been with state farm since I started driving, and they've been a great company to work with.

 

I did. Although I had a weird situation. I took my first s2k for an alignment at Les Schwab tire Co in Utah. Apparently the tech took it out after the alignment to "test" it. Right after he pulled out he started racing another car down the road and spun it out into some parked cars. Fortunately Les Schwab paid for the car and all my mods (and fired the tech). I did have to deal quite a bit with State Farm but it wasnt really money out of there pocket so that may have had something to do with it.

 

I have had experience with 3 cars totalled under State Farm this year. No, they weren't mine but close friends. One had 2 totalled due to hail and another friend had one with what looked to be minimal repairs but State Farm declined to fix it.

All 3 were nightmares of low balling. One of the adjusters that came out said that if State Farm didn't have to supplement her estimate then she was going too high.

In other words they low ball you and hope you will settle.

Personally I have recently had an experience with State Farm on a diminished value claim after a State Farm insured person backed into me. I had to file a complaint with the state insurance board to get my money.

Before I had my car fixed I went to the used car center of the dealer who was fixing the car and asked how much value loss this should translate into. They gave me the figure of $1,500.

When State Farm came back out after the repairs were done they offered $300. I told them I had already gotten a diminished value of $1,500 so they raised their figure to $500. Then they told me that if I wanted more I had to get the diminished value in writing from 2 car dealers and they would pay me what the dealers said.

I got 2 and both were $1,500 so State Farm now said they'd go up to $700. HUH? They'd already said they'd pay what the dealers said?

I went up the ladder of supervisors and finally had to file a complaint with the state insurance board to get them to do what they said they would do. Then they wanted me to dismiss the complaint before they'd pay me. I solemnly swore I'd dismiss it, got my money and am now still working the complaint. They need to be stopped!

 

thats what insurance companies do.

 

don't let state farm pick up the car until you've come to an agreement on the price. having the car in your possesion, or still at the shop is one of your bargaining chips. once a salvage yard takes it they have a hand up on you.

 

I have totalled 1 vehicle with State Farm. They gave within 5% of the value of the vehicle (Dodge Caravan). I just got a check from them 2 days ago for $1500 to fix the door on my civic where someone backed into me. They paid to fix my S2000 no questions asked. I have been with them since I started driving and they have been nothing but awesome to work with.

 

Totalled my S. Just stay on them to expedite the process in a reasonable manner so that you're not stuck for longer than the bridge insurance on the rental car.

I wound up paying $200 in extra rental fees because they dawdled. Otherwise, my agent has been STELLAR to work with.

 

thats the thing about it.... its the agent's who help the most.

if you file a claim with someone else who has state farm, it might not be as plesent.

if you file a claim and you have state farm, and they start to screw with you, call your agent and let them know. thats what they're there for.