AAA has assigned an independent appraiser to my loss case

[Jerry Bransford]

I am not all that up on automotive insurance but getting my stolen TJ's worth opinion out of the hands of AAA and into the hands of an independent appraiser doesn't sound too bad to me. What do you all think?

I don't know how to deal with an independent appraiser, will I be given the opportunity to talk to him? My TJ is well documented with a 104 line item Excel spreadsheet on its add-ons, including photos and receipts. I also found plenty of Craigslist and eBay ads for 1997 Wranglers ranging all the way up to $19,000, though I am not so stupid I'll get anywhere near that.

Is having an independent appraiser assigned to my loss the good thing it seem to be? I got the feeling AAA did that because of the extensive documentation (the spreadsheet) I sent them.

[Jeff Weston]

That seems like a plausible scenario Jerry that they need somebody more up to snuff to evaluate your loss. Another possibility is that this guy is going to come play the bad cop so your insurance company can remain the good cop. A third possibility is that the insurance company is so busy that they are using independent contractors to help them with their backlog. State Farm is sending an independent guy out here today to look at the roof for wind and hail damage that likely needs to be completely replaced.

I hope they are generous in their offer to you. Having to fight for everything gets a bit old. Good luck!

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks Jeff, I can only hope it is the good thing I am starting to hear it is. I'm too old & tired to be fighting AAA though I certainly will if it comes down to it.

[Lawrence]

Wow, I've been out of the loop for a while and now I am reading this! Sorry for what happened to your TJ Jerry, that sucks.

About the "independent" appraiser, he is hired by the insurance company so he may be biased. Not saying he automatically will, but there is a good possibility. So, be aware of what you tell him and how you interact with him.

When we moved to MN, the shipping company damaged my wife's FJ in transport. We filed a claim, they tried to be tough with us, I told them to go pound sand, and they agreed to send an "independent" adjuster.

The "independent" adjuster estimated the damage to be $2,500 to fix while one of the best body shops in town estimated it to be $5,500. The insurance company thought I was nuts, I told them that I didn't care what they thought and that I wanted our vehicle fixed the proper way. The final bill ended up being around $6,500 or so (which also included a rental SUV for the duration of the repairs) and the insurance company paid for everything.

It was not easy, it took some leg work and calling a few people certain names, but I got what I wanted. There is no reason you should settle for anything less than a reasonable agreement. Be tough Jerry, it's your money !

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks, I'm definitely not going easy on this Lawrence. I'm at least a little hopeful it won't be as bad as it could be, I hear a lot of good things about AAA, my insurance company. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Thanks, I'm definitely not going easy on this Lawrence. I'm at least a little hopeful it won't be as bad as it could be, I hear a lot of good things about AAA, my insurance company. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

You can hear all the good and bad things in the world about AAA and until the check is in your hand, it's all BS.

[Lawrence]

Originally Posted by mrblaine

You can hear all the good and bad things in the world about AAA and until the check clears, it's all BS.

Fixed it for you

[Jerry Bransford]

I agree, I may be crying the blues when all this is done and over with. I'm just holding out a tad more hope based on how AAA paid off far better than was expected on a few Jeep related incidents I am aware of.

The latest news is that I got a call yesterday from the rep at an independent insurance appraisal firm (Appraisal Express in LA) who was hired by AAA to appraise my Jeep. I was kinda shocked after talking with him as it turns out the guy is a Jeep guy who knows his stuff. He has a pretty darned good knowledge and rattled off Currie, Warn, RE, etc. & said my use of their products significantly enhanced the value of my Jeep. He also said that had my Jeep instead been built with ProComp, Smittybilt, etc. type "crap" (his word!) that he wouldn't be able to do much to help but that he could base a high appraisal on the top quality & reputation the Currie/RE/Warn/etc. level of products that had been installed. He even commented about my Warn HS9500i winch and that it was too bad it was no longer sold new any more, that it was a "great fast winch". So this guy definitely knows his stuff.

So there's a lot more that needs to be done before I even get their first offer this but at least I'm pleased I got an appraiser that doesn't need to be taught who Currie, RE, and Warn is. He specifically said my Jeep was definitely worth far more in ACV (actual cash value) than any other Wrangler he had ever appraised so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. And after 45 minutes on the phone, he closed by saying that if I had had Farmers, State Farm, Progressive, Geico, etc. that I would be screwed but that he believes that based on what they told him, that AAA is going to come through for me. I don't think he was just saying that either, I believe this particular individual is a straight shooter... or a damned good liar.

[DC]

Well, as before, I hope this goes well for you Jerry. And if you don't mind sharing, I would like to hear how this ends up in the final analysis. All of my vehicles (including my truck camper) are all insured by Progressive, and while the pricing for their policies is good, I have wondered from time to time how they would actually pay out if the need ever arose. (I have AAA for towing, but that's it).

Good luck down the home stretch,

Don

[Jerry Bransford]

It turns out AAA went above the requirements of my policy and paid me close to 50% more than they were obligated to. The independent appraiser made a good case for that and AAA paid what he recommended. I was shocked with the offer. Not a great offer but it was significantly higher than what I was expecting. I'll be staying with AAA, that is for sure, the appraiser told me that no other insurance company he works with would have paid off nearly as well.

I'm not happy with everything, of course, but I'm far happier than I expected to be. At least I can buy another TJ from the proceeds and get it reasonably wheelable. I think I've found another TJ to buy, a Rubicon, from a friend who has promised me a real special offer on it. I can't wait to see it.

[DC]

That sounds good Jerry and I'm glad that you at least got more than you anticipated. Best of luck with the Rubicon!

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

I think I've found another TJ to buy, a Rubicon, from a friend who has promised me a real special offer on it. I can't wait to see it.

If it's a black one, make sure the front locker is reconnected.

[NAILER341]

So.... what did they pay for your jeep?

[Lawrence]

Good news, glad to know it is working out for you Jerry.

[Joe Dillard]

I put in a good word with AAA for you Jerry.

[DC]

Originally Posted by Joe Dillard

I put in a good word with AAA for you Jerry.

Is that why Jerry didn't get even more from the settlement with AAA?

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

If it's a black one, make sure the front locker is reconnected.

It seems more than a few have figured out which Jeep I'll probably end up with.

[NAILER341]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

It seems more than a few have figured out which Jeep I'll probably end up with.

One Savvy black Rubicon LJ?

[Jerry Bransford]

Not the LJ Erik, it's his TJ Rubicon. He's got so many Jeeps that he probably won't even miss it.

[Cutch]

Originally Posted by Joe Dillard

I put in a good word with AAA for you Jerry.

Could you put a good word in with AA for me then

Glad things worked out for you Jerry.

[emills]

Glad to hear things worked out well for you Jerry.

[Jerry Bransford]

I just got back from AAA where I signed their forms, turned in my keys, and picked up the check. I gotta say I got pretty choked up when it was all over, kind of like throwing that symbolic handlful of dirt onto the casket. Well it's all over, time to look forward to the building up the replacement. The $$$ is already burning a hole in my pocket.

[DC]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

I just got back from AAA where I signed their forms, turned in my keys, and picked up the check. I gotta say I got pretty choked up when it was all over, kind of like throwing that symbolic handlful of dirt onto the casket. Well it's all over, time to look forward to the building up the replacement. The $$$ is already burning a hole in my pocket.

So, did you decide on the replacement Jeep yet? (Inquiring minds want to know).

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by DC

So, did you decide on the replacement Jeep yet? (Inquiring minds want to know).

Unless something unexpected happens, yes I have. I'm talking to Gerald about his 2003 TJ Rubicon which I am planning to buy once he gets back into town. I wasn't planning on a Rubicon but sometimes you get an offer that is too good to pass up. Heck I haven't even seen it so I'm anxious.

[DC]

Sounds good Jerry. It isn't black is it?

Good luck !

[Darrell C]

Jerry,

I haven't posted up yet, but I've been following along. Sorry you had to deal with this. A frustrating and trying time, but I'm glad for you things are working out in the end.

Darrell

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by DC

Sounds good Jerry. It isn't black is it?

All black.

[DC]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

All black.

So, if it's black, is it also Savvy?

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by DC

So, if it's black, is it also Savvy?

It is a pretty Savvy Rubicon.

[speaceman]

Obviously, it would have been better if you didn't have to deal with the situation at all but it certainly sounds like things are working out nicely in the end. In the end, trading an 97 for an 03 Rubicon isn't too shabby of a deal.