my z got hurt need insurance advice

[gnosez]

Maybe is the answer re: is the adjuster's statement and approach okay?

You need to do a complete assessment/estimate of all the parts needed to be replaced separate from their's. How else will you know if the price they say is what they'll pay will in fact cover the real costs. Hint: if they can't get the parts list and/or prices right, then figure they will low ball the bodyshop time too.

Take out a piece of paper and make a list then go to MSA, VB, etc. and put prices next to each. Compare to their list. Don't agree to anything until you've had a day or too to think/research it through.

[MikeW]

One other thing you could do is post some pictures here (yes, I know it's painful). Extra eyes might spot some damage or extra work that the insurance guy won't.

The other issue that you're going to have to deal with is paint. If your old paint was faded a bit then things aren't going to match and you're going to want to get the whole car painted. They're already going to be painting most of it anyhow from what you said so you might as well come up with the extra out of your pocket to get the roof and doors painted at the same time.

[EScanlon]

Bad news, my car was parked for the winter and uninsured, ...

Take this as a strong lesson on how to set yourself up to possibly loose a bunch of good money by trying to save poorly.

Don't take this as a slam, it is a learning lesson though.

In the future, check with your insurance carrier and check the price for STORAGE insurance. You may find that being covered in that manner can really make a HUGE difference in situations like these.

However, one very important note needs to be asked. What were you doing driving an uninsured vehicle? If you need to have on-the-spot and occasional insurance just in case you have to drive the car in winter, then the storage option above just requires a phone call to be changed. Being un-insured, unless you can just call your agent and get added to an existing policy, is going to take a day or so.

So, it may become painful, and hopefully it doesn't, but a word to the wise....

Enrique

[mtdripo]

Well thanks to all of your advice I think I did a good job with the ins. co. After a further inspection of my z the damage is not as bad as when it first appeared, guess this had something to do with the fact that after it first happened I was in a very negative mood thinking I would get like a grand and a salvage title. Anyhow, they started with an offer of a very trivial amount and no salvage. After I told them I was willing to wait as long as it would take to get what I thought was fair they changed there tune. They came back with an offer of 2k and I snubbed them, told them I would call the ins. commission, guess it worked because ten min. later they called me back. I was after $3300 and no salvage title and we settled with $3000 and no salvage title. Thanks yell, you guided me through this perfectly.

Dan