A Sad Day
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Atlanta suburbs
Hi all--
I don't mean to hijack this thread too much, but I, too, just had an accident in my 2010 XKR. Or rather, my wife did. She was sitting at a red light, and the other driver, by her own account distracted by a hands-free conversation she was having, side-swiped our car's driver's-side rear quarter panel on her way to the left turn lane next to my wife. The other driver admitted fault, and her insurance company, which happens to be the same as ours (State Farm), also is treating the case as 100% her fault. We live in Seattle, Washington State, USA.
The challenge is this: My SA at a Jag Dealer I have known for long time recommended a body shop, one of the two Jaguar-approved repair shops in the area. So I had the car towed to that shop. In summary, the rear quarter panel is toast, but there is also damage to the rear bumper, and, far worse, there is damage to the left rear wheel well, which is apparently welded to the frame. The preliminary estimate for repair is $25-$30,000, supposedly. The body shop estimator says that they have particular problems with State Farm as a carrier, too.
Although I have not heard back officially from State Farm, their own estimator/appraiser tells me it is very likely they are going to total it. They have been taking their sweet time to come to this conclusion, however, and meanwhile the body shop is charging me $100/day in "storage." The car is in excellent condition, 40,000 miles, wrapped with Expel Ultimate (and with an ECU Group pulley and tune, incidentally). I anticipate a real battle with State Farm on valuation. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to maximize the total loss payment?
Incidentally, when I told the bad news to my wife, to my great surprise she burst into tears. I've always been the car guy in our household, (the tweaked XKR, a couple Dinan M cars, and a heavily modified 930 over the last few years) which she has appeared to tolerate to the best of her abilities, and I knew she liked this car and considered it hers. But I did not know how much, apparently. So I've located a 2014 XKR, same colors inside and out, with 5,000 fewer miles on it, and have secured it with a deposit. I will surprise her with it when all is said and done. But in the meantime, I have a sneaking suspicion that State Farm is going to try to rip me off on a settlement payment...
I don't mean to hijack this thread too much, but I, too, just had an accident in my 2010 XKR. Or rather, my wife did. She was sitting at a red light, and the other driver, by her own account distracted by a hands-free conversation she was having, side-swiped our car's driver's-side rear quarter panel on her way to the left turn lane next to my wife. The other driver admitted fault, and her insurance company, which happens to be the same as ours (State Farm), also is treating the case as 100% her fault. We live in Seattle, Washington State, USA.
The challenge is this: My SA at a Jag Dealer I have known for long time recommended a body shop, one of the two Jaguar-approved repair shops in the area. So I had the car towed to that shop. In summary, the rear quarter panel is toast, but there is also damage to the rear bumper, and, far worse, there is damage to the left rear wheel well, which is apparently welded to the frame. The preliminary estimate for repair is $25-$30,000, supposedly. The body shop estimator says that they have particular problems with State Farm as a carrier, too.
Although I have not heard back officially from State Farm, their own estimator/appraiser tells me it is very likely they are going to total it. They have been taking their sweet time to come to this conclusion, however, and meanwhile the body shop is charging me $100/day in "storage." The car is in excellent condition, 40,000 miles, wrapped with Expel Ultimate (and with an ECU Group pulley and tune, incidentally). I anticipate a real battle with State Farm on valuation. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to maximize the total loss payment?
Incidentally, when I told the bad news to my wife, to my great surprise she burst into tears. I've always been the car guy in our household, (the tweaked XKR, a couple Dinan M cars, and a heavily modified 930 over the last few years) which she has appeared to tolerate to the best of her abilities, and I knew she liked this car and considered it hers. But I did not know how much, apparently. So I've located a 2014 XKR, same colors inside and out, with 5,000 fewer miles on it, and have secured it with a deposit. I will surprise her with it when all is said and done. But in the meantime, I have a sneaking suspicion that State Farm is going to try to rip me off on a settlement payment...
I'm sure you wife is distraught over the accident, but the important thing is that she wasn't hurt and you have already taken steps to replace your 2010 XKR. Based on the repair estimate, it's likely that State Farm will total it. Don't forget to remove all the goodies before State Farm has a chance to take possession. You may want to use some on your new XKR or sell them.
As for doing battle with State Farm, I suggest that you read this recent thread https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...onight-230407/ that also involves valuation issues after being struck by a deer. Read it in its entirety and note my comments, in particular, my recommendation to hire an independent, qualified automobile appraiser to determine the value of your 2010 XKR immediately before the accident. There's a link to the company I used around almost 10 years ago when my 2007 Lexus LS460 was hit by a young woman driving a Prius and caused damage that cost over $30,000 to repair. By using an appraiser, the Diminished Value settlement increased from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
I hope you find that thread helpful. Good luck!
Stuart
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
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From: Seattle
Thank you, Stuart, that is excellent advice. I have read through your linked thread and located at least one professional appraiser in my area. I have not flyspecked my policy, but I assume I have a right to dispute State Farm's valuation, and that any further dispute after I submit an independent valuation from a professional appraiser would be subject to arbitration? Of course, the trouble with such arbitration provisions in general is that the arbitrators are heavily dependent on the industry they serve, with a bias toward the insurer as opposed to the insured....
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Hastings
Bruce,
I am in a similar situation as you with a different car. Fortunately I have great lawyers representing me (sadly that's what it takes not to be eaten alive).
Found out through the law firm (who happen to be close friends) that State Farm is the absolute worst company.
Some things to keep in mind, all the things you had on the car, the xpel, tune, it gets counted same as any personal property you may have had in the car.
I am in a similar situation as you with a different car. Fortunately I have great lawyers representing me (sadly that's what it takes not to be eaten alive).
Found out through the law firm (who happen to be close friends) that State Farm is the absolute worst company.
Some things to keep in mind, all the things you had on the car, the xpel, tune, it gets counted same as any personal property you may have had in the car.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 591
Likes: 470
From: Leicetershire, UK
Hi all--
I don't mean to hijack this thread too much, but I, too, just had an accident in my 2010 XKR. Or rather, my wife did. She was sitting at a red light, and the other driver, by her own account distracted by a hands-free conversation she was having, side-swiped our car's driver's-side rear quarter panel on her way to the left turn lane next to my wife. The other driver admitted fault, and her insurance company, which happens to be the same as ours (State Farm), also is treating the case as 100% her fault. We live in Seattle, Washington State, USA.
The challenge is this: My SA at a Jag Dealer I have known for long time recommended a body shop, one of the two Jaguar-approved repair shops in the area. So I had the car towed to that shop. In summary, the rear quarter panel is toast, but there is also damage to the rear bumper, and, far worse, there is damage to the left rear wheel well, which is apparently welded to the frame. The preliminary estimate for repair is $25-$30,000, supposedly. The body shop estimator says that they have particular problems with State Farm as a carrier, too.
Although I have not heard back officially from State Farm, their own estimator/appraiser tells me it is very likely they are going to total it. They have been taking their sweet time to come to this conclusion, however, and meanwhile the body shop is charging me $100/day in "storage." The car is in excellent condition, 40,000 miles, wrapped with Expel Ultimate (and with an ECU Group pulley and tune, incidentally). I anticipate a real battle with State Farm on valuation. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to maximize the total loss payment?
Incidentally, when I told the bad news to my wife, to my great surprise she burst into tears. I've always been the car guy in our household, (the tweaked XKR, a couple Dinan M cars, and a heavily modified 930 over the last few years) which she has appeared to tolerate to the best of her abilities, and I knew she liked this car and considered it hers. But I did not know how much, apparently. So I've located a 2014 XKR, same colors inside and out, with 5,000 fewer miles on it, and have secured it with a deposit. I will surprise her with it when all is said and done. But in the meantime, I have a sneaking suspicion that State Farm is going to try to rip me off on a settlement payment...
I don't mean to hijack this thread too much, but I, too, just had an accident in my 2010 XKR. Or rather, my wife did. She was sitting at a red light, and the other driver, by her own account distracted by a hands-free conversation she was having, side-swiped our car's driver's-side rear quarter panel on her way to the left turn lane next to my wife. The other driver admitted fault, and her insurance company, which happens to be the same as ours (State Farm), also is treating the case as 100% her fault. We live in Seattle, Washington State, USA.
The challenge is this: My SA at a Jag Dealer I have known for long time recommended a body shop, one of the two Jaguar-approved repair shops in the area. So I had the car towed to that shop. In summary, the rear quarter panel is toast, but there is also damage to the rear bumper, and, far worse, there is damage to the left rear wheel well, which is apparently welded to the frame. The preliminary estimate for repair is $25-$30,000, supposedly. The body shop estimator says that they have particular problems with State Farm as a carrier, too.
Although I have not heard back officially from State Farm, their own estimator/appraiser tells me it is very likely they are going to total it. They have been taking their sweet time to come to this conclusion, however, and meanwhile the body shop is charging me $100/day in "storage." The car is in excellent condition, 40,000 miles, wrapped with Expel Ultimate (and with an ECU Group pulley and tune, incidentally). I anticipate a real battle with State Farm on valuation. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to maximize the total loss payment?
Incidentally, when I told the bad news to my wife, to my great surprise she burst into tears. I've always been the car guy in our household, (the tweaked XKR, a couple Dinan M cars, and a heavily modified 930 over the last few years) which she has appeared to tolerate to the best of her abilities, and I knew she liked this car and considered it hers. But I did not know how much, apparently. So I've located a 2014 XKR, same colors inside and out, with 5,000 fewer miles on it, and have secured it with a deposit. I will surprise her with it when all is said and done. But in the meantime, I have a sneaking suspicion that State Farm is going to try to rip me off on a settlement payment...
Thread Starter
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Veteran Member
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From: Los Angeles
Sorry to hear about your wife's and your misfortune. Luckily no one was hurt as in my case. I handed the claim to my insurance since the woman who hit me had State Farm who was disputing the facts of the accident. I have never had any problems with Mercury Insurance who has always taken care of claims even on my 2002 XKR where the damage was greater than the car's worth at the time. Good luck.
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From: Los Angeles
Update, my car is essentially finished, and I will pick it up later this week. I got a call from the woman who hit me's insurance earlier saying they weren't going to take liability because they claimed I opened my door into her passing car. The truth is that I already had a foot out of the car when she turned from the alley right into me. I told her insurance person that the door was pushed forward into the front quarter panel because the door was already open and pushed from inside the car forward. She said she needed photographic evidence to reconsider. I called the body shop, had him look at the inside of the door and sure enough there is a big scratch/gouge on the inside metal lip where her car hit the inside of the door. I sent it off to both her and my insurance to back up my story. I hate when someone lies to cover up their mistakes, and I hate being called a liar which is essentially what they've done. Can't wait to pick her up.
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From: Hastings
Update, my car is essentially finished, and I will pick it up later this week. I got a call from the woman who hit me's insurance earlier saying they weren't going to take liability because they claimed I opened my door into her passing car. The truth is that I already had a foot out of the car when she turned from the alley right into me. I told her insurance person that the door was pushed forward into the front quarter panel because the door was already open and pushed from inside the car forward. She said she needed photographic evidence to reconsider. I called the body shop, had him look at the inside of the door and sure enough there is a big scratch/gouge on the inside metal lip where her car hit the inside of the door. I sent it off to both her and my insurance to back up my story. I hate when someone lies to cover up their mistakes, and I hate being called a liar which is essentially what they've done. Can't wait to pick her up.
You might find this helpful.
I was hit by a car that was traveling in the wrong lane and broke several laws. Yet State Farm tried to intimidate me by asking if I had my headlights on during the day.
So I gathered proof that my headlights cannot be turned off and submitted it to my lawyer friend. He said its just one of many scare tactics they use and did nothing with my proof. The trick in essence is to put the burden of proof on you. What happens when we play the same game- can she prove the events according to her story.
You see the game, weakest loses.
Last edited by Queen and Country; Mar 23, 2020 at 06:49 PM.
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From: NY
Update, my car is essentially finished, and I will pick it up later this week. I got a call from the woman who hit me's insurance earlier saying they weren't going to take liability because they claimed I opened my door into her passing car. The truth is that I already had a foot out of the car when she turned from the alley right into me. I told her insurance person that the door was pushed forward into the front quarter panel because the door was already open and pushed from inside the car forward. She said she needed photographic evidence to reconsider. I called the body shop, had him look at the inside of the door and sure enough there is a big scratch/gouge on the inside metal lip where her car hit the inside of the door. I sent it off to both her and my insurance to back up my story. I hate when someone lies to cover up their mistakes, and I hate being called a liar which is essentially what they've done. Can't wait to pick her up.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
As you all imply... I too am getting very tired of this theme of denial when in the wrong.
As my dad would say... Stand up and be a man. The bigger man is the one who admits fault and expresses an apology.
As my dad would say... Stand up and be a man. The bigger man is the one who admits fault and expresses an apology.
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From: Atlanta suburbs
Appoint a Loss Assessor to work on your behalf. No 'regular' person can out-haggle insurance company Loss Adjusters - they do it day in, day out for a living. A Loss Assessor works for you and will get the very best deal possible out of your insurer. It may still be a rough deal in the context of your beautiful (possibly totalled) Jaguar, but at least it will be the best rough deal possible. You can find a Loss Assessor (they sometimes are Claims Handlers etc) local to you using Google. Good luck with whatever you decide to do - and what a lovely gesture to replace your wife's car the way you are doing! Kudos!
You're in the UK and Bruce M. is in the USA. It appears that you forgot what I recently wrote about the differences between auto insurance in the UK and the US in my Post #39 in this thread: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-230407/page2/ .
I took this screenshot to refresh your recollection as well as for those Forum members who didn't read that thread. My screenshot wasn't able to capture the entire post, so click the above link to read it. Note that although one US owner is in Pennsylvania and the other is in Washington (State), the principles remain the same. You'll have to click the above link and go to my Post #39 to open the links below.
Last edited by Stuart S; Mar 23, 2020 at 09:29 PM.
I can attest that State Farm is the pits for an insurance company. At the same time I hired an intermediary in my third party claim against them and they were essentially worthless.
My only satisfaction in the whole deal was that I insisted on the best certified aluminum shop in the Atlanta area who were more than capable in battling SF's continual adjusters. In the end my 07 was repaired better than new with new paint to boot! It cost them more than $18k total on a car worth $26K, though they wore me out on diminished value which I looked the other way on due to the high mileage.
So for me the moral is, SF (and probably all the others) will screw ya but at the same time you can win a little too.
My only satisfaction in the whole deal was that I insisted on the best certified aluminum shop in the Atlanta area who were more than capable in battling SF's continual adjusters. In the end my 07 was repaired better than new with new paint to boot! It cost them more than $18k total on a car worth $26K, though they wore me out on diminished value which I looked the other way on due to the high mileage.
So for me the moral is, SF (and probably all the others) will screw ya but at the same time you can win a little too.
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There was no police report filed, but I can still do so at the station. I didn't want to take extra time so I submitted the claim to my own insurance to handle quickly. I have heard from others about State Farm. In fact, my body shop owner didn't want to do the work for them, but loves Mercury, so we did it that way and they were out within one day to issue the estimate. Can't wait to see the car tomorrow or Wednesday.
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From: NY
There was no police report filed, but I can still do so at the station. I didn't want to take extra time so I submitted the claim to my own insurance to handle quickly. I have heard from others about State Farm. In fact, my body shop owner didn't want to do the work for them, but loves Mercury, so we did it that way and they were out within one day to issue the estimate. Can't wait to see the car tomorrow or Wednesday.
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
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From: Heart of Dixie
For the life of me I can not understand why anyone used State Farm for insurance, I stopped using them 30 years ago when I realized they were charging a premium for a 4 wheel drive truck, have never looked back. My neck of the woods is littered with stories from people who were happy with SF till they made a claim and got the short end of the stick. Good to hear OP is about to be back on the road.
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Seattle
Update--
As predicted, State Farm totaled the car, and we are now haggling over value. Somewhat surprisingly, their "offer" is less bad than I thought it would be--maybe $3000 under proper value, at most. These cars are rare enough that comps are not super easy to get.
It is my great misfortune to be a lawyer, myself, and State Farm knows this, so I have a feeling I'll get them closer before it's done--I am building my case as I type this. Should be fun.
Meanwhile, my wife is a wreck. We've been married 32 years, and on occasion she still surprises me. This is one such occasion. Which will make the reveal of the 2014 all the sweeter.
As predicted, State Farm totaled the car, and we are now haggling over value. Somewhat surprisingly, their "offer" is less bad than I thought it would be--maybe $3000 under proper value, at most. These cars are rare enough that comps are not super easy to get.
It is my great misfortune to be a lawyer, myself, and State Farm knows this, so I have a feeling I'll get them closer before it's done--I am building my case as I type this. Should be fun.
Meanwhile, my wife is a wreck. We've been married 32 years, and on occasion she still surprises me. This is one such occasion. Which will make the reveal of the 2014 all the sweeter.
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From: Hastings
Let me know if you need a formal receipt from my company for the speakers.
I was surprised too when I offered my wife a significant upgrade to the XKR, she would not hear of it. I think its the one car women genuinely like.
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From: Canada, eh
Take the cash and buy yourself mint XKR-S at fire-sale prices in a month's time.
Last edited by SinF; Mar 24, 2020 at 09:15 AM.
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From: Hastings
Be careful. The XKR-S forfeits the luxury aspect.
When you are sitting in traffic and your skin is sticking to the seat- you wont think 'wish I had 40 more horses on the 510 I have'. You will wish for air conditioned seats, which the XKRS does not have.
What are the odds that you will sit in traffic vs being on an open road where you can use 550hp? Only you can take that IQ test.
When you are sitting in traffic and your skin is sticking to the seat- you wont think 'wish I had 40 more horses on the 510 I have'. You will wish for air conditioned seats, which the XKRS does not have.
What are the odds that you will sit in traffic vs being on an open road where you can use 550hp? Only you can take that IQ test.
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From: Florida
Be careful. The XKR-S forfeits the luxury aspect.
When you are sitting in traffic and your skin is sticking to the seat- you wont think 'wish I had 40 more horses on the 510 I have'. You will wish for air conditioned seats, which the XKRS does not have.
What are the odds that you will sit in traffic vs being on an open road where you can use 550hp? Only you can take that IQ test.
When you are sitting in traffic and your skin is sticking to the seat- you wont think 'wish I had 40 more horses on the 510 I have'. You will wish for air conditioned seats, which the XKRS does not have.
What are the odds that you will sit in traffic vs being on an open road where you can use 550hp? Only you can take that IQ test.