A friend of my daughter has an '85 300 Turbo Diesel as described below. I
suspect the insurance company is low-balling her, but don't know what
questions to ask to figure a more favorable value. Can anyone suggest a
procedure to follow from this point? They sent pictures but only of the
damage and I can't really tell what vehicle I am looking at.
Thanks -
BillR
Jacksonville FL
1981 300SD 290k miles
I am Dania's friend and she had called me and mentioned your love for the
Mercedes Benz Diesel. Dania will send picture of my wrecked car shortly.
I was offered $2,168.00 from the insurance company. They first offered me
$2042.70 and then my attorney faxed all of the maintenance receipts to them
and they came back with the second price.
Go look on AutoTrader, Ebay and the like to get similar cars. You
might ask that they find you a car in like condition that would sell
for the amount they are offering.
Ebay will allow you to see completed sales; get some color images from
those cars and compare them objectively with yours. Its best if the
average price is say $3k but based on images of these cars x, y, and z
compared to pics of your car yours is nicer you've got more ammo.
Factual data is your friend and if you have time to wait them out,
better still.
If it works, it takes the numbers almost completely out of the
equation. To write you a check is the easiest path, to lowball makes
it better for them.
Tony Wirtel
