Score 1 for BicycleBuck

"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/09/2016 at 13:59 • Filed to: None

You all know about the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Now let’s talk about tires.

The WRX has symmetrical all-wheel-drive just like the rest of the Subaru lineup. This requires all four tires to be the same size, have the same tread pattern, and have similar wear. The owner’s manual says that things can go horribly wrong if you fail to maintain close measurements between your tires. How close? “Within 1/4-inch of tire circumference or about 2/32-inch of each other in remaining tread depth.” ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

I bring all of this up because the right-rear tire was slashed in the wreck and will need to be replaced. When the insurance company put together their estimate, they only included the cost of a single tire. So, I hopped on the phone and explained the problem. This was news to them. They asked me to send something in writing. So, I sent them a screenshot from the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

To my surprise, I just received an email containing this:

“We are in agreement to having all 4 tires replaced on your vehicle; although, we will apply applicable betterment to each tire.”

So, there will be some adjustment due to the wear on the tires, but they will be paying for new ones!

DISCUSSION (23)

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:04

This is good insurance, way to not suck insurance company.

Party-vi > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:05

Applicable betterment? Does this mean they aren’t covering the cost of all the tires, but just a portion thereof?

Stapleface > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:06

Nice. So what's the plan once it gets fixed? Going to sell it or keep it?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Party-vi
02/09/2016 at 14:09

How much insurance pays = (cost of the new tire) - (adjustment due to life left in existing tire)

jariten1781 > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:14

Surprised they didn't counter with just shaving the new one or having you out of pocket cover the other 3. Sounds like you won to me.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Stapleface
02/09/2016 at 14:14

That decision is still a bit premature. The shop tells me that it will be another week before they can put it on the rack and tear it down. Only then will they know the full extent of the damage.

I want to sell it, but that probably won’t happen until Subaru comes out with a new WRX hatch. I thought about “downgrading” from a 2104 to a 2012 so I could get one in red, but after seeing what is available on the market, it just seems like a bad move.

TheRealBicycleBuck > jariten1781
02/09/2016 at 14:15

Since they didn’t know anything about replacing all four tires, I’m not surprised they didn’t know about shaving the new one.

Funktheduck > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:17

Have they gotten an estimate in on the drivetrain and suspension?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Funktheduck
02/09/2016 at 14:24

Not yet. They have to put it on the rack and do a tear-down. They expect that to happen next week. It’s Mardi Gras and lots of people take the week off.

Funktheduck > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:26

That would drive me nuts.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Funktheduck
02/09/2016 at 14:30

I’m working hard to stay calm about the whole thing. The insurance company is telling me they plan to cut off my rental coverage on the 28th. I’m hoping that I’ll be back in my car by then. If not, it’s another fight.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:34

depreciation is such bullshit in insurance. I havnt needed to use my insurance for a while so I think i’ll only pay you guys 75% of what you bill me for. These people get paid so that when this shit happens you all set. when I was involved with home insurance repairs they would do the same thing.

Matt Nichelson > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:43

What insurance companies are involved?

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX
02/09/2016 at 14:45

This isn’t quite depreciation. I have about 24,000 miles on these tires. They might last another 20,000. I don’t expect the insurance to cover the full replacement cost considering I used half the life of the tires.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Matt Nichelson
02/09/2016 at 14:46

Allstate and Farm Bureau.

Matt Nichelson > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:49

Ah ok. Was just wondering. I am a claims adjuster, but not for either of those. Why are they planning to cut off the rental? I assume due to policy limits?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Matt Nichelson
02/09/2016 at 14:52

You assume correctly. If the repair takes long, I’ll appeal since it is the other insurance company covering the bill.

Matt Nichelson > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 14:58

Gotcha. Pin it on amount of time it took. Shop can step up and take over rental payment after the 28th if it took too lon lg on their end or if there is reasoning to believe it took too long on the carriers part then they should extend past limits. Hopefully it won’t take that long, but still. You shouldn’t have to be left holding the bill for it.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Matt Nichelson
02/09/2016 at 15:01

Thanks for the advice.

How much do you think they will reduce the tire estimate based on the “betterment” due to the miles on the existing tires?

Matt Nichelson > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 16:02

No problem! I’ve seen it happen before so figured I would offer my opinion.

Now that part I don’t know. Each insurance company is different, so it could vary one who offers what amount. I can only say what you probably already know, which is that the amount will be based on the tread depth.

Either way, it’s great that they are even offering to do it. Having supporting documents definitely helped you.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 16:48

Does this make my $10,500 estimate the winner?!

TheRealBicycleBuck > haveacarortwoorthree2
02/09/2016 at 16:50

We’ll have another round once I get the final estimate in. They won’t have it on the rack so they can do the teardown and final estimate until next week.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/09/2016 at 18:18

I’ve had similar luck with tires/insurance.

My car was written off recently and the adjuster gave me an extra $300 because I just installed new tires back in December.