Re: 164S Totaled

["Jorge & Ani Mazlumian" <j.mazlumian@domain.elided>]

Vasco
How sad!  Sorry to hear about the crash.
Not a lawyer or expert, except personal experience.  Some insurance
companies are better than others.  Do not let them settle so quickly on the
price.  They will negotiate with you.  You can *help* them determine the
value of the car buy giving them solid info.  Area dealer's prices will
help, but how many are you going to find?  May be you bought it cheaper, if
it was used, but if you are losing a lot of money with what they offer, show
proof.  Your buying price, all the improvements and mods that add value to
the car, show receipts, summarize all in a clean sheet, add it up.  Find
prices of similar 164S with similar mileage for sale in the Alfa Owner,
local chapter, autotrader.com (is there any?).
Finally, yes you can buy it back.  With a newer car, such as a current
Bimmer, Merc or japanese car, they'll have buyers bid on the wreck car.
These guys are usually dismantlers, but not with a 164, I doubt it.  So you
can do them a favor by taking it off their hands, usually for about 10% of
the agreed-upon value of the car.  Do not give in quickly, take your time
for research and get the evidence (not about the accident) in your favor.
Their only rush to pay you off is to settle fast for a lower price.
I know how you must feel now, 'cause I have bee through it, more than once.
But make a BIG effort to have an *objective* mind, forget how much you love
this car, and ask yourself if it is worth while to shell out 5 grand to
repair a 91 164S, what will you end up with?  Just a thought.
I wont comment of the accident itself, except that to thank God nobody got
seriously hurt, except for the tree.
Jorge Mazlumian
Redlands, CA

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