SafeCo

A lady t-boned my fully insured 2004 Toyota Corolla on July 9th, 2021. I called Safeco who insures my house and car. Claim # [protected].

For starters, I was assigned a phantom claims adjuster. It was like pulling teeth to get an actual response from him. For days and days I sent numerous emails, made numerous calls leaving voicemails and sent numerous texts to him begging that he get in touch with me to no avail. Grr.

I drove my car to Caliber Collision, the Safeco-suggested auto body shop. Big mistake. On their supplemental claim estimate the body shop declared it a total loss even though the gross amount of the claim was $600-700 below the 80% Missouri threshold to be a total loss. Safeco rushed to report my car as a total loss to the Missouri DMV without telling me and they told me that they are UNABLE TO RESCIND that report which, if true, now forces me to get a "rebuilt" title, allowing me to only have liability insurance.

Safeco never consulted with me as to whether I wanted to get more estimates at other body shops which I was entitled by law to do! Safeco KNEW that I intended to get my car fixed and keep it. By the way, I took it to another reputable body shop which estimated less to repair the car with no add-ons in the final cost, so the estimate from the body shop I chose would never have qualified it as a total loss.

Safeco never asked if I agreed to/accepted the payout amount. Safeco played God (1) by assigning an unresponsive claims adjuster, (2) not giving me the chance to get another estimate, (3) by declaring it a total loss without telling me, (4) by reporting it quickly to the DMV, again, not telling me, and (5) by sending me a check, the value of which I never agreed to and that is just wrong. It remains uncashed. All of these things made me furious! Below are the issues I want resolved.

1.  I want on paper a statement from Safeco that I am NOT AT FAULT for this accident.
 
2. I DEMAND that Safeco rescind the total loss declaration WRONGLY reported to the DMV. Safeco must tell the DMV that they screwed up and to remove the total loss report. "Total loss" means "not fixable."  It certainly is fixable with two new doors and a T-Frame and Safeco brazenly ASSUMED that there would be at least $600 more tacked onto the cost once work began. Safeco had no right to ASSUME a possible increase over $600 and they played God!

    3.  Safeco has not answered my question as to whether they still carry liability on my car.   I would like to have comprehensive as well.  I intend to get a "rebuilt" title for it, if I absolutely must, as soon as repairs are done. 

4.  I expect a prorated refund of the $941.90 I paid in April for May1, 2021 to May1, 2022 for all of the annual auto insurance coverages no longer applicable. Safeco has not responded to that request.

 5.  The salvage value seems extreme at 30% of ACV.  Why is it so high?  I researched and found the normal percentage is around 15%. I want an explanation of this. Most insurance companies have agreements with salvage yards/auction houses to purchase ALL their salvage for a percentage of ACV. That percentage is usually no more than 15&%, NOT 30%. If you state the salvage is worth $1, 899.00 to some salvage operator-PROVE IT with a copy of a written contract from your salvage buyer. Remember, Mail Fraud is a FEDERAL offense! Here are Safeco's calculations:

Vehicle Valuation

Actual Cash Value: $6275.06

Plus applicable taxes: $

Plus title fees: $ 14.50

Plus Registration: $ 27.25

Plus Plate Fees: $ 8.00

Minus your deductible: $ 500.00

Minus the salvage value: $1899.00

Vehicle owner payment: $3925.81

Total amount paid on this claim: $3925.81

6.  What the heck does this mean from the Missouri Department of Insurance?  "If your vehicle is 7 model years or older, salvage requirements are OPTIONAL." I want an explanation of this. Safeco told me this is mandatory once it is reported as a total loss and that I am stuck with it! My car is 17 years old with low mileage (63, 750 miles on the odometer). It has many good years ahead of it.

I am seriously considering suing Safeco for ALL of the above-listed reasons.