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Old 03-26-13, 08:33 PM
  #5  
CandSAdventures
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: North Texas
Posts: 79

Bikes: Fuji Robaix, Specialized Stumpjumper

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1. Educate yourself on values. Research the same bike or as close to it as possible. The adjuster assigned most likely will not understand what your bike was so you may have to educate him/her. Ask if they are familiar with bikes. If they are not, ask if they have someone who is.

2. If you disagree that it should not be a total, you will have to have repair estimates. Different states allow property to be declared a total loss at different levels. Some are as low as 70% of the value, some are higher. Ask the adjuster what the state says.

3. Loss of use of your bike is a component of the value. Some states allow loss of use on totals, some do not. I live in Texas, loss of use is not owed on totals in Texas. It is also part of the value of the damages that can make it a total. What does it cost to rent a similar bike in your area? Something else to educate yourself and your adjuster on.

4. You love your bike or at least really like it. For the adjuster, it is a business transaction, a negotiation. Have a value in mind. If the adjuster offers more, accept it and walk away. If they offer less, be prepared with a counter and be able to support the cash value of it.

5. Once they pay for it, they own it. Sometimes, they don't know what to do with it after they pay for it. You can negotiate an amount that lets you keep the "salvage".

6. You did not say if you got hurt or not. If you did, they cannot lump the property damage claim in with the injury claim to force you to settle both.

Hope this helps.
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