Progressive Claims Experience
I recently got into an accident where an elderly woman ran a stop sign and totaled my car. Her insurance is through Progressive, 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 was feeling desperate. I just started a new job, and losing my car without a rental would have left me in a tough spot, especially since my phone was also ruined in the wreck.
The adjuster said they wouldn’t cover a rental car, which is frustrating. For the total loss (TL), Progressive is offering just under $15,000, but I owe a little less than $19,000 on my car and don’t have gap insurance. Naturally, I wanted to negotiate the TL amount, but the adjuster informed me that there would be no negotiations and that they won’t reimburse me for any personal items damaged in the accident.
I’ve received a preliminary appraisal from a third party valuing my car at $16,500. I haven’t gone for a full appraisal yet because I want to avoid unnecessary costs. I’m simply trying to negotiate for an additional $1,000 to lessen the amount I’ll need to pay back to the lender. The adjuster mentioned something about depreciation but wouldn’t provide any details even after I asked multiple times.
Additionally, the dealership where I’m trying to purchase a replacement car needs the total loss summary or a letter from Progressive to finalize my loan. In the meantime, I’ve arranged to rent a vehicle from a buy-here-pay-here lot. I informed the adjuster about this in hopes of reimbursement, but they described the situation as “sketchy” and indicated that reimbursement is unlikely.
Any advice on how to handle this situation?
I’m sorry to hear about your situation; it sounds really stressful. Here are a few thoughts that might help you navigate this:
Negotiate the Total Loss Amount: Since you’ve received a preliminary appraisal stating your car’s value is higher than what Progressive is offering, it may be worth pursuing that additional $1,000. You could provide them with the appraisal as evidence to support your case, even if you haven’t officially paid for a full appraisal—a preliminary report can still carry weight in negotiations.
Understanding Depreciation: Depreciation is the reduction in the value of your car over time, and insurance companies often factor this into their payout calculations. It might be helpful to ask the adjuster for a detailed breakdown of how they’ve calculated the depreciation on your vehicle so you can better understand their offer.
Personal Items and Rental Coverage: Unfortunately, insurance policies can be very strict about what is covered. If they are denying coverage for personal items and rentals, you may want to review the specifics of their policy regarding personal property and rental coverage. If you believe you’re entitled to reimbursement based on your policy, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or to escalate your concern to a supervisor.
Consider Legal Help: Even though you felt pressured to sign the BI release, it may still be beneficial to consult with a lawyer, particularly one with experience in auto insurance claims. They can provide tailored advice and may help you negotiate a better settlement.
Documentation: Make sure to keep detailed records of all your communications with the adjuster, including dates, times, and what was discussed. This documentation will be valuable if you escalate the claim or seek legal assistance.
Timing with Dealer: Since the dealer is waiting on the total loss summary, be proactive in following up with Progressive to expedite this process. If you have a letter from them acknowledging your claim, it might help to discuss your situation with the dealer again and see if they can offer any assistance during this waiting period.
Stay persistent, and good luck with your negotiations and getting your vehicle situation resolved!