This is an area where a lot of people get upset about what the insurer of the person who hit you (i.e., the at-fault driver) will pay. In most cases, the insurance company is only going to pay the fair market value of your vehicle for the condition that it was in at the time of the crash. So, when the insurance company wants to settle for my vehicle, what do I do? Kep reading to find out.
What is Fair Market Value?
Fair market value is the price you would have received if, prior to the accident, you had sold the vehicle on the open market. It is very common that this amount ends up being far less than what you paid for the vehicle and leaves you in a position where you don’t have enough money to then buy a suitable replacement vehicle.
How You Can Bolster Your Claim
Here are a few things you can do to bolster your claim: First, if you have pictures of your car or truck that show it was in good condition, send copies to the adjuster. Second, if you know that your car was in better-than-average condition, go back to the mechanic or dealer who typically serviced your vehicle and see if that person will write a note that you can send to the adjuster, stating that your car or truck was in better-than-average condition. Also, if you had extra features added to your vehicle -- such as higher quality trim or after market modifications -- get the mechanic or dealer to state that in the letter as well. Finally, use the Internet and go look for comparisons of your vehicle's value so that if those values are better than what the adjuster is offering, you can send this information along as well and try to get a better deal.
If "the Insurance Company Wants to Settle for My Vehicle" and You Still Don't Know What to Do ...
Contact the qualified and experienced Hagerstown car accident lawyers at The Poole Law Group to learn more about your options when it comes to the settling with an insurance company in Maryland.