Still no word, when they said it was time to make a decision, the owner of the vehicle who hit me said they fessed up last minute. So they were waiting on an adjuster to go take pics of a car that pushed my bike over in a parking lot ???
Now they wont return or pick up my calls. Called them 4 times, left 3 voice mails. nothing. I'm taking these ass hats to small claims.
:(
Who do they hire for claim adjusters anyway? Do you have to pass some test that proves you will deny everything and not return calls? My apologies to any and all good claim adjustors out there. I know you're out there somewhere but the bad ones just smear your good work with poo. 9 out of 10 stories I hear are like this one. Good luck He Man. [thumbsup]
Dude, you need to write a book....
Quote from: NAKID on February 08, 2010, 08:34:39 AM
Dude, you need to write a book....
People would just steal it.
ive never met mine...but she works for HelpPoint Claim Services and sounds like shes either smokes a pack a day and shes 50, or she smokes 50 packs a day and shes 25.
BUt judging from her depressed voice mail greeting, shes probably 50.
MY claim adjuster on my insurance end, is upfront, he says it like it is, even if its something you dont want to hear and even though i dont have full insurance, he gives me a call every week or 2 and checks up to see if I need any help on tips or advice on trying to get my bike covered.
What is fishy to me is why would the person who hit me fess up in the 11th hour? She had to make a decision to approve or deny my claim by Friday, apparently the guy called in Friday morning or something and admitted it. That night my witness called me and said he spoke with them recently to get the story straight. That was 3 weeks ago.
Quote from: MrIncredible on February 08, 2010, 08:42:04 AM
People would just steal it.
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] Coffee on keyboard, via nasal passages. Thanks.
you're insurance company can fight for you. or did we go over this already?
Quote from: Raux on February 08, 2010, 09:24:34 AM
you're insurance company can fight for you. or did we go over this already?
we already went over this because i do not have full insurance. they only fight for you if you have the coverage.
Quote from: MrIncredible on February 08, 2010, 08:42:04 AM
People would just steal it.
[laugh] No, someone would sue me saying I stole the idea from them and therefore they should receive all rights and any money i made.
you could dress all black leather take the baffles out and go over to the office and POLITELY remind them bikers are badass.
Quote from: Raux on February 08, 2010, 09:46:37 AM
you could dress all black leather take the baffles out and go over to the office and POLITELY remind them bikers are badass.
My leathers are all red, would it help if i threw pigs blood all over me to look like i just ran over a deer and someone made it through?
Do you know how to write a letter?
Phone calls are worthless.
Write a letter, on paper, and mail it in one of these:
(http://www.freefoto.com/images/04/30/04_30_63---US-Mail-Box_web.jpg)
sent it CERTIFIED MAIL with return receipt.
Send one every week, and each one, reference the prior weeks (i am following up on the letters that I sent you on Feb 1, March 1, etc)
When you go to court, if you have to, that shows you are making an effort and they are ignoring you.
Keep a copy of each one.
PHONE CALLS ARE WORTHLESS
Ink pens and snail mail are out of date and barbaric.
(sorry. It had to be done)
Gotcha. They WERE picking up phone calls up until magic man decided to fess up. Now they arent.
Ill write a letter first thing tomorrow for the next 2 weeks. And then going to small claims and filing for the maximum allowed amount $5,000. Do I really need to get the bike checked by a mechanic for a repair bill (cause theres no shop locally anymore, they closed down to management issues). Or can I just cite the OEM prices? $5,000 is not hard to get to
You could cite those, but the main issue usually is labor.
True in this day and time but still effective none the less. I'm thinking a personal visit is due, that is if they live in the same town. Nothing says "take care of your business like you're supposed to" like a nice face to face visit. They can refuse to not return messages, answer phones or not respond to emails/texts all day long but if they don't know what you look like they can't run and hide when you walk in their office. By then it's too late... you are now sitting in their office! A nice introduction, hand shake and explanation why you are there with their supervisor is always a nice touch too. [thumbsup] Does wonders in all kinds of business and day to day affairs. It's becoming a lost art.
Nah, they are way to far out there.
They are about 30 minutes from downtown philly.
Im all the way up in NYC. But if it comes down to it, you bet your ass I'm showing up there.
I just sent her, a what I think is a very respectful way of saying "stop being a pregnant dog and approve the claim or else ill be seeing you and your insureds ass in court" email and also telling her i sent her a physical copy of the email.
I also told her in the letter that if you are ready to make a decision, i'll be happy if you cover the cost of all parts paid for in full OEM prices instead of you covering labor as well.
either way, i need very little to fix the bike because I'd be doing it myself and ebaying used parts. But how much I can fix it with, with what I am rightfully owed is 2 different things.
You do need to write a book.
With Pillar
[laugh]
Seriously, good luck.
Your estimates do not have to come from a Ducati dealer. There are many private shops in Brooklyn. Here are two:
http://www.worksengineering.com (http://www.worksengineering.com)
http://www.mccarrenmotors.com (http://www.mccarrenmotors.com)
Quote from: Monsterlover on February 08, 2010, 01:13:52 PM
You do need to write a book.
With Pillar
[laugh]
Seriously, good luck.
hahaha! i was thinking along similar lines.
the book would be titled "Failing to live up to Pillars legacy"
[laugh]
Thanks Howie, ill call them up and see how much they'll charge for an estimate.
But my email worked...
her response
"Sorry I have not gotten back to you. I did receive the photos of our insured's vehicle and I have spoken with the witness. I have placed a call to our insured and as soon as I hear back from her, I am hoping it will be today, I will give you a call back by the end of the day."
So I am waiting for her to call me back.
Who wants a bet that she wont? I got $1 on she will not.
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 08:47:39 AM
So I am waiting for her to call me back.
Who wants a bet that she wont? I got $1 on she will not.
I'll be some [bacon].... 8)
OK i owe someone a dollar she did call back...for
$2284.69... [roll] what do you guys think?
What does that include??
nothing. its just a check.
I dont know where they are getting this number from. I was going to be happy with half the face value of my bike + no total, which is approximately $3000.
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 02:33:25 PM
nothing. its just a check.
I dont know where they are getting this number from. I was going to be happy with half the face value of my bike + no total, which is approximately $3000.
you would have been happy with a $1500 check and your bike not totaled? sounds like you got a good deal, but i would still raise hell. Corse's labor rates are what? $500/hour plus your sperm for a year?
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 02:03:55 PM
$2284.69... [roll] what do you guys think?
Quote from: ducatiz on February 09, 2010, 02:13:12 PM
What does that include??
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 02:33:25 PM
nothing. its just a check.
I dont know where they are getting this number from. I was going to be happy with half the face value of my bike + no total, which is approximately $3000.
i think if you're concerned about the amount, you should ask for an itemized accounting of how they arrived at that figure.
Quote from: ducatiz on February 09, 2010, 02:56:03 PM
you would have been happy with a $1500 check and your bike not totaled? sounds like you got a good deal, but i would still raise hell. Corse's labor rates are what? $500/hour plus your sperm for a year?
No, i would be happy with $3000! not $1500.
Face value of my bike is arouind 6000 in good conditon. mine is in okay condition (i crashed it twice) + $1000 in suspension mods and hours of my own hour put into it.
Im building up a list of what i need to repair it myself. It woudlnt cost more than $1500 really. But thats ME working on it. Not someone else. I WANT $3500. Am I going to get it is another question.
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 02:03:55 PM
OK i owe someone a dollar she did call back...for
$2284.69... [roll] what do you guys think?
I think I owe myself some bacon.... [bacon] [bacon] [bacon]
;D
check w/ your insurance guy and get the itemized list.
i bet if you call them back and call their bluff (or make your own) you can get the final number up a bit.
what do you mean call their bluff?
I am thinking my best to make my own. But to be very very honest.
If i do the math of replacing all my parts with cheaper and brand new aftermarket parts, it comes out to exactly what they quoted. These are BRAND new parts.
And if i add $1200 labor to remove the frame and put it back together. I just add the $1200. So thats my only leverage.
Thats how my value of $3000-$3500 came about.
Just because you will be doing the work yourself doesn't mean they don't have to pay labor charges.
that is correct and why I am asking for more. But I need a good way to strong arm them into giving me what i want ($3500 no totalling). I already emailed a short notice asking for the itemization. Once I get that, ill basically be telling them the follwoing....
I am willing to take this to court and get full coverage on my bike. Thats basically totaling the bike which is in the $6000 range. And since they agreed to pay, that means the guy assumed responsibility already. So no doubt they have to pay either way.
So they can either give me the $3500 i need, which is the price i quoted for cheaper non OEM parts ($500 goldline resovoirs from DNA, or from motowheels for $169...big price difference, and this is for all the parts that require replacement). Or we can bring it to court and let a judge decide, and you can expect me to ask for OEM parts, which will cost an arm and a leg. And the bike has a sentimental value so ill be hiring a lawyer to make sure it doesnt get totaled. I'll also be sueing to cover the lawyer fees because YOU were the one who is not willing to settle this the easy way...
Or should I Just send the email right now telling them, i keep trying to crunch the numbers to get it to your price level. I cant. I need $3500 or we can go to court and ill be hiring a lawyer to sue for cost to fully repair the bike with OEM parts which will be in the $6000 range.
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 05:11:08 PM
that is correct and why I am asking for more. But I need a good way to strong arm them into giving me what i want ($3500 no totalling). I already emailed a short notice asking for the itemization. Once I get that, ill basically be telling them the follwoing....
I am willing to take this to court and get full coverage on my bike. Thats basically totaling the bike which is in the $6000 range. And since they agreed to pay, that means the guy assumed responsibility already. So no doubt they have to pay either way.
So they can either give me the $3500 i need, which is the price i quoted for cheaper non OEM parts ($500 goldline resovoirs from DNA, or from motowheels for $169...big price difference, and this is for all the parts that require replacement). Or we can bring it to court and let a judge decide, and you can expect me to ask for OEM parts, which will cost an arm and a leg. And the bike has a sentimental value so ill be hiring a lawyer to make sure it doesnt get totaled. I'll also be sueing to cover the lawyer fees because YOU were the one who is not willing to settle this the easy way...
We have all been personally hurt by this story so you can sue for our mental pain and suffering as well.
WHats that amount to? $10 per a member? ;D
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 05:22:23 PM
WHats that amount to? $10 per a member? ;D
sounds fair but at least $20 for DP, he was young looking when your tale of woe started and look what it did to him!
Get a real estimate from a real Ducati mechanic. Seriously. Take it to a shop (document any transfer/towing costs) and get a real estimate.
Then, send them a copy of the estimate and the towing charges and tell them you want that amount and not a penny less.
That is the only way to do it.
They have numbers. You don't. You have bluster and righteous indignation. That's fine IF you have numbers. You go to court and ask for that amount and you'll be asked to show the proof of value or cost of work/parts. You got nothing? You lose.
Get an official estimate from a Ducati dealer.
They are probably using "nationwide industry costs" plus Ducati parts. That means they are canvassing ALL motorcycle shops in some area (it might be a 300 mile radius)_ and got a labor rate of $50/hr. They can show how they arrived at that number. You can't show why it's BS...
...unless you get an official estimate. That is your starting point. Plus costs (towing, storage, etc)
Listen to the shysters advice!
If you were to walk into his office, he'd tell you the same thing and charge you $300 for it. :P
Calling ECS tomorrow at 10am. But with the 2 feet of snow comming in, chinese new years and first round of test. I wont be able to get there till next next week. :(
Mostly why i just want to get this over with.
and i just realized i have to delay my court case tomorrow, cause im due in court on the 11th for my make the beast with two backsing licnese plate being dirty and unreadable, and because for some reason i'm STILL noted as a female on my notice to appear in court.
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 06:55:44 PM
Calling ECS tomorrow at 10am. But with the 2 feet of snow comming in, chinese new years and first round of test. I wont be able to get there till next next week. :(
Mostly why i just want to get this over with.
and i just realized i have to delay my court case tomorrow, cause im due in court on the 11th for my make the beast with two backsing licnese plate being dirty and unreadable, and because for some reason i'm STILL noted as a female on my notice to appear in court.
She man?
yup.
She man is due in court. No She Man is not He-Mans girlfriend. According to skeletor, it is he man himself...err herself... you get the point.
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 07:08:31 PM
yup.
She man is due in court. No She Man is not He-Mans girlfriend. According to skeletor, it is he man himself...err herself... you get the point.
Transformed into Rosie O'Donell by an evil Skeletor spell, She-Man will prevail and walk away victorious.
Quote from: lethe on February 09, 2010, 05:29:15 PM
sounds fair but at least $20 for DP, he was young looking when your tale of woe started and look what it did to him!
I'm still young looking... ;D
but I'll take the $20
Quote from: ducpainter on February 10, 2010, 04:17:05 AM
I'm still young looking... ;D
but I'll take the $20
Ok, duly noted that SheMan owes DP 20 bucks, will a lawyer in the house officially write that up?
Quote from: lethe on February 10, 2010, 04:21:53 AM
Ok, duly noted that SheMan owes DP 20 bucks, will a lawyer in the house officially write that up?
There goes the profit. [roll]
Quote from: He Man on February 09, 2010, 07:08:31 PM
yup.
She man is due in court. No She Man is not He-Mans girlfriend. According to skeletor, it is he man himself...err herself... you get the point.
Show up in drag and say you thought you had to. You'll all get a good laugh - case dismissed.
If it was me, without any documentation, I would have told the adjuster that the phone call ballpark quotes and parts list you are working from ends up with $ 3.750. "if it would mean an agreement right here and now, I'm willing to meet you half way at $ 3,017.35 - the alternative is the full Dealer/OEM/HeMan-sits-and-watch package".
I feel bad you're having to go through this ridiculous crap. ???
Quote from: Venom51 on February 10, 2010, 05:42:19 AM
I feel bad you're having to go through this ridiculous crap. ???
$10 to Venom51 as well.
Quote from: Venom51 on February 10, 2010, 05:42:19 AM
I feel bad you're having to go through this ridiculous crap. ???
It's what he does ;D
Quote from: swampduc on February 10, 2010, 05:47:27 AM
It's what he does ;D
He does it well.
All joking aside, follow Tiz's advice and get an actual estimate....then make the phone call.
Quote from: Autostrada Pilot on February 10, 2010, 06:11:52 AM
He does it well.
All joking aside, follow Tiz's advice and get an actual estimate....then make the phone call.
i can safely say that no one who has gone against my advice has come to any good.
Quote from: ducatiz on February 10, 2010, 09:16:39 AM
i can safely say that no one who has gone against my advice has come to any good.
Same here. I once warned a girl i was dating of a similar issue. She didn't listen.
Three weeks later, she slammed her finger in the car door. Just goes to show.
Quote from: MrIncredible on February 10, 2010, 09:19:32 AM
Same here. I once warned a girl i was dating of a similar issue. She didn't listen.
Three weeks later, she slammed her finger in the car door. Just goes to show.
i did mean legal advice.... not sure what your advice was to her... [coffee] [evil]
Called Jay at ECS, after the new year is over I'm gonna bring the bike up to get an estimate, and then schedule a time for the other guys insruance to itemize it.
I already dropped them an email to give me $3653... based on their estimate + $1360 worth of labor (16hrs @$85/hr), or to go with the estimate that I will be getting. If they go with the estimate then i'll just let ECS do the work. If I get my $3653 then im getting some MONOBOOMS..when they come out that is.
Quote from: ducatiz on February 10, 2010, 09:16:39 AM
i can safely say that no one who has gone against my advice has come to any good.
Outside of emailing pictures.......I would agree
[puke]
Tell you what. You post the one you got and ill post the one I got. Lessee who gets more [puke]
Quote from: He Man on February 10, 2010, 09:48:05 AM
Called Jay at ECS, after the new year is over I'm gonna bring the bike up to get an estimate, and then schedule a time for the other guys insruance to itemize it.
I already dropped them an email to give me $3653... based on their estimate + $1360 worth of labor (16hrs @$85/hr), or to go with the estimate that I will be getting. If they go with the estimate then i'll just let ECS do the work. If I get my $3653 then im getting some MONOBOOMS..when they come out that is.
you could still probably get ecs to hook it up with aftermarket bits
Quote from: He Man on February 10, 2010, 09:48:05 AM
Called Jay at ECS, after the new year is over I'm gonna bring the bike up to get an estimate, and then schedule a time for the other guys insruance to itemize it.
I already dropped them an email to give me $3653... based on their estimate + $1360 worth of labor (16hrs @$85/hr), or to go with the estimate that I will be getting. If they go with the estimate then i'll just let ECS do the work. If I get my $3653 then im getting some MONOBOOMS..when they come out that is.
You are still not listening, get the estimate from ECS and one other shop. The other shop can work of ECS's if they want.
Quote from: howie on February 10, 2010, 11:17:26 AM
You are still not listening.
It's cause he's like, 22, and a guy. :P
I didnt know i needed 2. i just called works,
Works Engineering in Brooklyn says, the estimate is free if i let them do the work. otherwise its $100 bucks.
Steve and Jay, well either way, i know them so, whatever cost it is, i know ill be in good hands. But i dont think itll be more than $100 (forgot to ask).
Quote from: ducatiz on February 10, 2010, 10:14:16 AM
Tell you what. You post the one you got and ill post the one I got. Lessee who gets more [puke]
hahahahhahaha
I think everyone has seen the one you made of me.
You don't need 2. But, it may be easier to convince the ins co that you aren't padding the estimate by having 2 that are similar.
Well ECS is going to be cheaper just for the simple fact that they are out of new york city and ill be paying much less in storage and labor.
the 2 that Howie mentioned charges $100 labor, and im sure more for storage fees in comparision to ECS. Eitehrway, one is going to be high, one is going to be low, and my own is going to be lower.
If the ins. company agrees to cover the cost according to the shop quote, will they demand you do it there and use OEM parts a.s.o. ? I'm just asking, because that's how it's done here. If so, wouldn't that be all wrong for you?
Quote from: stopintime on February 10, 2010, 01:01:31 PM
If the ins. company agrees to cover the cost according to the shop quote, will they demand you do it there and use OEM parts a.s.o. ? I'm just asking, because that's how it's done here. If so, wouldn't that be all wrong for you?
No, they can't. Once they agree to an amount, they cut you a check and that's it. It would be different if he was at fault and using his own ins, especially if he still owed on it.
they cant demand me to use OEM parts. Its my monetary compensation for what it would cost to get the back to pre damage condition.
Im going to see ECS Next week friday, and Works Next Saturday weather permitting.
Shop around, $100 is more than I would want to spend. If Works plans on working from scratch, looking up all the parts prices and labor plus the actual inspection their price is reasonable. If you can get someone to use Steve's estimate as a boiler plate then they can charge less. There is a guy by me who might do it as a favor to me if you want to come to Da Bronks. NAKID is correct, only one is needed, two are better.
Oh, in NY, unlike Florida, insurance companies pay less than the prevailing hourly labor rate. Insurance just paid a whopping $35 per hour for a new windshield for my car. They also paid for over double the time so all worked out well for the shop. Shops who deal with insurance work have the experience to deal with this. Keep in mind, what you are paid for is your loss. I bet Steve finds damage you overlooked.
First of all, I hope you get the settlement you want........
Secondly, could we get a compendium of all the He-Man gets sh*t own post
So whenever we feel unfairly treated by the universe we could go to the list, and instantly feel better about our lives ;)
Seriously, though - best of luck with your claim
He must have opened the little red envelope last new year's.
"I can either mail you a copy or fax a copy over to you and you would give that to your shop of choice and if there are any differences, the shop will contact the appraiser and if a supplement is needed we will take care of that also.
If you have any further questions, please let me know."
Just gotta find time to see ECS
update?
total payout ~$2800 bucks.
ECS said that the bike is good to go. and they adjusted the shifter linkage for me. otherwise bike is okay. I still say the left passenger grab bar is bent down a bit. they didnt notice it. but maybe im just parinoid.
I put a large chunk away for track days. The end result was I dont really care how my bike looks. I rather spend $$$ on suspension and gear then bling. So im getting my shock refreshed and hopefully new oil, new valves (already got new spring), a bitubo steering damper and im stilling waiting on finding a good exhaust.