Jami Finney thinks a mechanic hit the gas instead of the brake while at the shop.
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“As I’m sitting in the waiting room, all of a sudden I hear a screech and then boom,” she said. “Did they just wreck my car?”
The shop’s insurance picked up the tab. She says they paid about $5,000. The insurer told Action 9 attorney Jason Stoogenke they paid more than $6,000. Either way, Finney expected more.
Finney and Stoogenke went on websites, including CarMax and Carvana, to look up her make, model, and year to see how much it would be to buy a similar car. Most had fewer miles than hers, but the prices were in the teens, which was thousands of dollars more than she got.
Another important note: She had a car loan. So, the lender got some of the payment, leaving her with even less.
The insurance company -- Penn National -- emailed Action 9, “Settling claims quickly and fairly is a priority at Penn National Insurance, and we are proud to have been recognized for superior claims service for seven consecutive years. When determining the value of a totaled vehicle, we consider many factors including the vehicle’s age, mileage, and condition before an incident, to ensure the settlement is fair to all parties. Additionally, the claimant has an opportunity to review and contest a settlement recommendation before it is closed. In this case, we offered, and the claimant agreed, to a final settlement of approximately $6,300 paid to the claimant and lien holder for an 11-year-old vehicle with about 150,000 miles.”
If you don’t like an offer:
- You can complain to the state Department of Insurance or talk to a lawyer.
- If you accept the money, you may be giving up the right to dispute later.
- If you still owe money on the car, your lender may get some of the check, so you may have sticker shock.