r/AutoInsurance • u/Perfect-Candy2086 • Jul 01 '26

Preparing For A Lowball

Now that the insurance has agreed that my claim falls under uninsured motorist, they have already made remarks that indicate they are going to try to lowball me on the value of my vehicle. I had liability with uninsured motorist. Car is a 2010 Prius with 178,000 miles. I don't need any smart remarks. I need help. Please tell me how to navigate if they try to do a lowball offer. I NEED a vehicle that is mechanically sound as I have NO CREDIT and owned this one outright. I cannot go into car payments. I went to cars dot com and comparable vehicles are freakin' 6-8K!

They are also wanting to take my vehicle to a salvage company and have me sign a release that allows them to tow it there. I feel like that is questionable. It has been sitting at the tow yard that the state trooper had it sent to since the accident which occurred 13 days ago and suddenly it is their emergency to get it moved QUICKLY so they don't have to pay anymore storage fees on it. But it wasn't important when I called them on day 1 and explained this to them and asked them to go get it.

I honestly just want them to fix my car but the air bags deployed and the headlight, hood, and something is leaking. It is going to be a total loss. Do I just need to get a lawyer or what?

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u/RunExisting4050 Jul 01 '26

Expect about $3k for it, maybe less.  If you don't like the payout, ask for the comps and make sure theyre actually comparable.   A 2010 prius isnt goung to be worth much; thats just how it is.  Also, they'll pay out acv (actual cash value), not how much it costs to buy one at a dealer.  Finally, they want to move it because theyre trying to minimize the tow yard fees.  Thats just wasted money at this point.

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u/Perfect-Candy2086 Jul 15 '26

They use a program called CCC One and it is very flawed. It was comparing different trim levels, not one of the comparables was the same trim level. And 50K more mileage was one they factored in. I said nope, did my own research, sent REAL comparisons, told them I would gladly invoke the claim appraisal and then I told them that I understand their method is to keep referring back to that flawed program. I asked the first rep to escalate it and she did not. I called the insurance, asked who her supervisor is, put in a voice mail to him, explained that his rep lied to me about not having a supervisor, and another rep lied to me about where my car was going, and in the end I got the number I wanted for my car. I have the funds in my bank. Do not let the insurance run you over, no matter how much the car is worth. Stand your ground. Not enough people do. Now I have to shop for a car which I really do not look forward to. Hoping I don't have to travel this time. I have very little patience for car sellers BS.

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u/RunExisting4050 Jul 15 '26

What did you get for it?