Progressive Insurance Experience
I recently had an accident caused by an elderly woman who ran a stop sign, totaling my car. She has Progressive Insurance, and the adjuster pressured me into signing a bodily injury release for about $5,000. In hindsight, I should have consulted a lawyer, but I felt desperate at the time—I had just started a new job and losing my car without a rental could have jeopardized my job. To top it off, my phone was also damaged in the wreck, completely bent and cracked.
The adjuster informed me that Progressive will not cover any rental expenses. As for the total loss, they want to pay me just under $15,000, while I owe around $19,000 with no gap coverage. Naturally, I want to negotiate the total loss amount, but the adjuster stated that there will be no room for negotiation and that they won’t cover any personal items that were damaged.
I did receive a preliminary appraisal from a third party estimating my car’s value at $16,500. However, I haven’t paid for a full appraisal yet because I’m trying to keep my costs down and simply asking for an additional $1,000 beyond what they offered, as this would lessen what I need to repay the lender. The adjuster mentioned something about depreciation, but wouldn’t provide any further details despite my repeated inquiries.
The dealership from which I’m trying to buy a replacement car needs a total loss summary or letter to finalize my loan. Until I receive that from Progressive, a buy-here-pay-here lot has allowed me to rent a vehicle. I informed the adjuster about this and requested reimbursement, but they described it as “sketchy” and said there’s a high likelihood I won’t get reimbursed.
Any thoughts or advice on how to proceed from here?
It sounds like you’re going through a tough situation, and it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed after an accident, especially when you have a new job and need a vehicle. Here are a few thoughts on your situation:
Negotiating Total Loss Amount: Since you’ve received a preliminary appraisal stating a higher value for your car, it might be worth pursuing that further. Even if the adjuster says they won’t negotiate, you can present the appraisal and push for a reconsideration. Document everything and make sure to communicate clearly about the discrepancies between their offer and the appraisal.
Personal Items Compensation: As for the personal items like your phone, insurance policies can vary significantly regarding coverage. It might be helpful to review the policy details to understand what you could potentially claim. Sometimes, these items are covered under different endorsements that may not be immediately apparent.
Depreciation: If the adjuster mentioned depreciation, they likely mean the reduction in your vehicle’s value over time, which is standard in insurance calculations for total losses. It might be useful to ask for a detailed breakdown of how they arrived at their valuation, including what depreciation factors they considered.
Rental Car and Reimbursement: As for the rental car situation, keep documents related to this rental as you may have grounds to argue for reimbursement. It’s unfortunate that the adjuster deemed it “sketch.” Having clear communication and documentation could help bolster your case.
Consider a Lawyer: Even though you feel desperate, it might still be beneficial to consult with a lawyer who specializes in auto accidents or insurance claims. They can provide expert guidance, especially if you think you’re not being justly compensated.
Next Steps: Document all your communications, keep copies of the appraisals you’ve received, and clearly outline your needs and timeline for the total loss letter with Progressive. If they continue to give you difficulty, it might indicate that you need to escalate the situation or seek alternative avenues for resolution.
It’s definitely a frustrating situation, but being proactive and informed can help you navigate this complicated process more effectively. Good luck!