Dealing with insurance adjuster

[DWalt]

Start collecting comps for the value of your truck. Autotrader, other online car sales sites, and auction sites like BringATrailer and Cars and Bids. The auction sites will probably have the nicest examples and highest prices, here's BAT for Ford Ranger '98-11 for example:

Ford Ranger 1998-2011 For Sale - BaT Auctions

A good thing about the auction sites is they show an actual sale price.

To get top value, you will have to show examples that are equivalent to your truck. A couple years ago, my enclosed car hauler trailer got wiped out in a hailstorm. No structural damage, but totaled due to cosmetic damage. I had to fight with State Farm for four months because they kept trying to value my trailer by comparing it to the cheapest stuff on the market, when it had a finished interior and many options and upgrades. I finally got what I wanted for it, but it was a fight, and I had to provide comps for the value to prove my point.

Buying back at salvage is also an option, but you have to consider that the truck will always be devalued by a branded title and balance that with the cost of repairs. I bought my trailer back, and continue to use it to this day... it looks like a golf ball, but it still functions 100%. It was a no-brainer, because the only actual repair was a $100 roof vent.

Good information, will be helpful.

 

[CalifEd]

I had a similar incident, old car, high miles that the insurance wanted to total and made a low offer.
I said it was low so I countered. YOU go find a like vehicle, same condition, miles etc. and give it to me as the settlement.
Took a while, but they came back with a fair market value settlement, not their version of a Blue Book.

 

[Sarge9]

Let me guess Progressive ?

I had to fight my own co. after being rear ended by kid w/the same co.
We hit the car in front of us.
Stopped at a stop sign with a birthday cake in my lap. What a mess.
good luck!!

 

[03hemi]

Last Friday, my beloved 2003 Ford Ranger was backed into by a truck, and will probably be totaled. It is (was) in great condition and had low mileage for its age. I made a claim to the other party’s insurer and sent them pictures. So far, no action on their part. Looking through all of the local used car websites, I found nothing even close to mine for sale for less than $9K, and anything I would buy is more like $12K. I am fully expecting that when the adjuster shows up I will probably get a ridiculously lowball settlement price. Question is, what is your advice on the best way to deal with the adjuster in a situation like this? This is actually a first for me, never had an accident where the other party was at fault.

That really sux, you will only be given book value on your truck and will not receive what it would cost to replace it or its intrinsic value.
Been there, if you really love the truck you can buy back the salvage title and recondition it.
Look up the value on your exact truck with mileage on Kellybluebook, they're not the most accurate, but will give a higher price than Edmunds.com which is closer to real world value, unfortunately, your intrinsic value is gone.