Rudy,
Unfortunately we have to deal with insurance companies often when we are at a
very low ebb. I don't want to say that they know this and take advantage of it,
but I'm not saying they don't, either. Their goal is to get away with as little
as possible, not to be fair or to recognize value or anything else.
It sounds like you are on the right road with them, and whether you get someone
to represent you or fight them on your own, it's definitely worth keeping on
with your efforts. Here are some ideas:
In your state, is there an insurance department in consumer affairs or an
insurance licensing board? Try calling them and telling them that your
insurance company doesn't want to pay on a policy, and see where they direct
you. In most states there are insurance professionals who represent consumers
in your situation -- they're called different things in different states --
sometimes it's a professional appraiser and sometimes it's more of an advocate
type of role, some sort of a broker -- they will be able to tell you how to find
one of those, if you just don't want to deal with them yourself right now.
Since you were towing Streamer at the time, your vehicle insurance may be your
primary coverage, and they may go after your trailer insurance for you. I was
surprised to learn that my car insurance covered my trailer if it was attached
to my vehicle (not even necessarily underway), don't know if this is applicable
to you. If both are with AAA, this may not be useful to you.
Maybe people on this list have experience with AAA and how to deal with them
specifically as a company? In California AAA is notorious as a company that
always tries not to pay, their first stance is to under-offer and see what they
can get away with. Other companies (State Farm, sometimes Allstate) are known
as better payers. But AAA will eventually come through if you keep after them.
It's hard when you are feeling like you've already lost the most important
thing, and no amount of money will bring it back, etc., all that is
understandable, but you will eventually wish you had followed up more
energetically now, even if right now you're in the frame of mind of
rationalizing letting it go.
Good luck to you! Keep asking for input, and don't let the buzzards wear you
down!
--Sarah
> I have now received an offer from my insurance company. on AAA it is about
> $7,400. this is an increase from
> the $6,000 they first offered on about 8/15/07
>
> no amount of money can replace it. It
> was a family airloom . I woudy have ratter have had it stolen. Streamer is a
> loss to all vintage lovers world over A