[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Krishnan V G

... really happy to have insured the vehicle with Future Generali. ...

Noted, thank you for the good-service recommendation.

[Visaster]

My pampered less than a year old CIAZ ZDI got submereged, not just 4-5ft.
It was parked at the 3rd level basement which is 30 feet below ground level and water was 8ft above ground level. So a total of 38ft under filthy contaminated water for a period of 21days. That is how many days it took to pump out the whole water out from the basements. I had the first sight of the car on the 24th day after cleaning the area and getting some lights. It was a sad sight from when I left it in its shinny glory to rest.

Anyways after multiple calls to dealer, insurance company, agents... I dont even know whether my case is taken up yet by the insurance company. The dealer (ABT MARUTI) took Rs.6000 just for registration and have not heard a sound from them after that.

They forced into buying Maruti insurance so that they said it is easy for customers to handle insurance claims. I feel that is the worst scam. We end up paying easy 6k more when we are forced to buy insurance from Maruti to top it there is clearly no advantage doing so.
Iam planning to raise a dispute on my credit card to reverse that amount paid.

I am at the mercy of Royal Sundaram insurance company's surveyor, Who is happily on holidays. Just an automated email after many complaints.

How is the calculation for claim done on cars on total loss? How do I negotiate? whom do I play the ball with?

Mr. Thad can you give me the contact of your RS surveyor? or the process you followed and what the insurance company did to arrive at the figure mentioned by you. Thanks.

[LandCruiser]

A question and need some help as well. One of my apartment person passed away during the floods and the keys for his Honda Civic are missing. The car is in first basement facing the wall. The tow truck is unable to get to the basement and they say pushing the car backwards is not possible.

Any ideas how this can be solved. The car need to be out of basement so it can be towed to Honda to get the locks replaced.

[swami69]

Originally Posted by LandCruiser

A question and need some help as well. One of my apartment person passed away during the floods and the keys for his Honda Civic are missing. The car is in first basement facing the wall. The tow truck is unable to get to the basement and they say pushing the car backwards is not possible.

Any ideas how this can be solved. The car need to be out of basement so it can be towed to Honda to get the locks replaced.

Sharing what I know - A BMW got locked up in my apartment and they could not move it similar to your case. They brought in some sort of a platform with its own wheels and lifted the locked side of the car on to that platform and moved it to a convenient place before towing it away. I am sure, you can find this and use the technology to place it under the wheels, lift the car on to it and move it. Hope it helps..

The other way they tried initially was to put a jack on both sides and move the car inch by inch, but it moved, despite very slowly, but possible.

Swami

[aim120]

Originally Posted by LandCruiser

A question and need some help as well. One of my apartment person passed away during the floods and the keys for his Honda Civic are missing. The car is in first basement facing the wall. The tow truck is unable to get to the basement and they say pushing the car backwards is not possible.

Any ideas how this can be solved. The car need to be out of basement so it can be towed to Honda to get the locks replaced.

With two or four trolley jacks on each sides you lift it and push it out,but if their is an inclination in the basement,then you can't do it.

Or break open the Glass and release the parking brake.

[swami69]

Originally Posted by Visaster

How is the calculation for claim done on cars on total loss? How do I negotiate? whom do I play the ball with?

After speaking to many people, I personally think the total loss option is ONLY being considered for cars which has an IDV of around 5 Lakhs wherein, they engage a salvager, work out the cost and arrive at a deal to the owner. Insurance companies are offering between 80 - 90% on the current IDV value of the car for Total Loss options. If the IDV is more than this OR the car is relatively new and the estimate is too high, they are suggesting repair and reimbursement which many of my friends have taken up. It is just not that easy to get rid of any car saying, yes, I will get total loss. Multiple scenarios, multiple options are being considered.

Now, specific to your question - I think you have to get yourself nicely engaged with Surveyor and try to push the value higher against the IDV which I am sure is possible as it is purely now a people to people relationship than rules as there are NO standards.

Swami

[madbullram]

Originally Posted by LandCruiser

A question and need some help as well. One of my apartment person passed away during the floods and the keys for his Honda Civic are missing. The car is in first basement facing the wall. The tow truck is unable to get to the basement and they say pushing the car backwards is not possible.

Any ideas how this can be solved. The car need to be out of basement so it can be towed to Honda to get the locks replaced.

I had a similar problem with my civic with doors jammed. Your only option is to brake open the rear quarter glass, open the doors, release hand brake. If the gear is in parking, then move it to Neutral (if it does not move, there is a small USB size slot near the gear level, if you press it with a screw driver it will release the gear and you can move to neutral).

if you have the duplicate, then drive the car out else see if some other vehicle can tow it with a person driving the civic and maneuvering out of the basement.

If thats also not an option, you need to get Honda to come to the basement and change the keys assembly

[swami69]

My 12 year Old Corolla - Flood story !

Car submerged in water up to Dash Board Level
Duration - approximately 24 hours in water
4th day - Checked the dip stick - Absolutely no Water
Towed it to a Local Mechanic (Rajan Auto Carriage, Thoraipakkam)
Removed spark plug, Ignition coil, cranked the card - No Engine issues
Cleaned and fixed back spark plug, Ignition coil, Cranked - No Life
There was no spark coming through
Opened up Dash Board, removed Fuse Box PCM and ECU
Full of water and PCM was having some slush
ECU completely gone - IC burnt, connecting terminals broken (anyway, i guess it has corroded in 12 years)
At this point, it seemed Alternator, Starter Motor were all good
Bought ECU for Rs. 2000 from Pudupet, replaced, no way, not working
Eventually gave the Immobiliser, Key Set, Meter to a Specialist (Locksmith)
He took 5 days to give me a alternate TOYOTA ECU with all functions ready
ECU installed, Crank - Starter motor spinning, Bendex not moving
Removed starter motor, dismantled completely, oiled, greased, refixed, Started - Fantastic, Car started and Engine beautifully running as usual

2nd set of issue - AUTO A/C control module board gone
Gave it to a TV mechanic
Replaced 5 Capacitors
Refixed the whole thing and A/C started working and infact Heater also started working which was not previously

All other oils checked, replaced.
Bought new Headlight dooms from G.P. ROAD for Rs. 2400 each DEPO MAKE from Taiwan
Did test drive, took the car back Home

BILL from local Mechanic - Rs. 44000 - I did not negotiate, just paid him off even though I know, he has taken advantage of the situation which is normal. (Seeing what other third party and ASS are charging at this juncture, i think he was reasonable)

Took it straight to VV Car Decor
Removed the Seats
Removed the under carpet
Removed side plastic panels
Seats covers pulled up and dried in Sun for 4 days
Washed Carpet and all plastic panels
Removed Door panels and washed
Replaced the Noise reduction foams under the carpet and doors by buying the same material from Pycrofts road
Complete washed the car from inside by removing the drain holes on the floor
Every plastic part cleaned using protectant and Dash Board Cleaned
Took all the parts carefully back to VV car decor
Fixed back everything and it was absolutely looking new
Polished the car using Machine polisher (bought from GP ROAD for Rs. 3000) and applied Wax

Above work done by me - so No Labor

Existing problems which I will tackle slowly as I did not want to leave my car for too long with the mechanic

Driver Side Power window not working
Central Locking not working
Airbag sign on

Suspected issue :

May be the Airbag ECU is gone, need to look for a replacement
Probably the Control board or some relay is gone which controls the Central Locking

My stereo, washer controls, Light controls, motorised mirror all escaped as water did not touch that level

Car is driving beautifully.

Insurance - I have gone in for a Cash loss - settled for an amount and YET TO RECEIVE THE MONEY. Once I receive it, I will let the forum know what was the deal as I guess it will cover what I have spent and also what I would spend in the near future for this car.

Hope this is of some use.

Swami

[Visaster]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

But what about the RTO transfer and all? Anyway, some further document, release note, or something is due on Monday: we will see what that is all about then.

Hello Sir, So how is the process going? Please help me on the details of how they are processing your claim and how they arrived at the amount to be paid to you.
Mine is a new car, inspection done 10 days back, no news from Royal Sundaram.
Waiting for your update.
Thanks

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by Visaster

They forced into buying Maruti insurance so that they said it is easy for customers to handle insurance claims. I feel that is the worst scam. We end up paying easy 6k more when we are forced to buy insurance from Maruti to top it there is clearly no advantage doing so.

Very true.

How is he calculation for claim done on cars on total loss? How do I negotiate? whom do I play the ball with?

If they are declaring your car as total loss, then you are supposed to get the IDV value mentioned in the insurance document.

The delay in response could be because, Royal Sundaram would have put your car for auction and waiting for a good price.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Visaster

Hello Sir, So how is the process going? Please help me on the details of how they are processing your claim and how they arrived at the amount to be paid to you.
Mine is a new car, inspection done 10 days back, no news from Royal Sundaram.
Waiting for your update.
Thanks

Originally Posted by arun_josie

... ... ... If they are declaring your car as total loss, then you are supposed to get the IDV value mentioned in the insurance document.

The delay in response could be because, Royal Sundaram would have put your car for auction and waiting for a good price.

The Royal Sundaram guy came today and handed over a cheque for 3,20,000. I don't know how they arrived at that number.

A buyer is supposed to be coming tomorrow, who will pay 1,30,000, supposedly in cash, and take the car away. But the water is muddied, as well as the car, because the Royal Sundaram guy said, "... Or you could keep the car yourselves and get it repaired." He even mentioned Ignite Garage.

It's been sitting there for a month. The water in the headlights has gone green. Why couldn't they have have said that before?

Although life must go on is the order of the day, I don't think it is exaggerating to say that that those of us who have been in this flood are really suffering from post-traumatic stress.

I feel that if the car was salvageable (and I think, if electronics spares had been available, it was) then that should have been done a month ago. Now everything has suffered yet more from even sitting there in that state.

[audioholic]

I am sincerely sorry to see so many people losing their cars and many brand new cars. I have this small insurance related doubt. Really sorry again but my curiosity has been bugging me from sometime. Now suppose the insurance pays you a cheque and remaining has to be paid by salvager, but you want to retain the car without giving it away, like what option Thad was given. Is it legal to accept part money from the insurance company and then get it repaired ourself?

@Thad really sorry that your polo met with this fate. But somehow I am confident that you can get the car back to shale without even spending the whole of the 3.2L you are given. The service center estimate is to be taken with a pinch of salt.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by audioholic

I am sincerely sorry to see so many people losing their cars and many brand new cars. I have this small insurance related doubt. Really sorry again but my curiosity has been bugging me from sometime. Now suppose the insurance pays you a cheque and remaining has to be paid by salvager, but you want to retain the car without giving it away, like what option Thad was given. Is it legal to accept part money from the insurance company and then get it repaired ourself?

@Thad really sorry that your polo met with this fate. But somehow I am confident that you can get the car back to shale without even spending the whole of the 3.2L you are given. The service center estimate is to be taken with a pinch of salt.

It is legal but you are not going to gain anything from such transaction without any compromise.

In this case, insurance company will be sure that the repair cost will go well above 3.2L, so they agreed to a deal of 3.2L which is a profit for them.

Now using this 3.2L, you can go to a local mechanic and try to repair the car, but with the kind of electronic setup in these cars, it is not at all advised to approach local mechanics.

So, Thad will get 4.5L (3.2L+1.3L from buyer) which is most probably the IDV mentioned in his insurance document. If insurance company had got a buyer for 1.5L then they would have paid the remaining 3L to reach the 4.5L IDV.

So, basically, Payment by Insurance + Buyer = IDV. At times, insurance guys may negotiate and pay less than the IDV to the customer. So, if it is a total loss or salvage loss, customer should at least fight for the IDV value mentioned in their insurance document/certificate.

At the end of the day, this is business, so insurance company will choose what benefits them. They really don't care about the opposite party.

You can also check my below post,

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...ml#post3505190

[Aceman82]

Finally all the insurance related work for the Linea is over and the car was towed by the scrap dealer.

Bharati Axa paid the full IDV value minus some 10k (zero dep policy) with 1.1 Lakh paid by the salvage dealer (Cash) and remaining 6L to be paid by Bharati-Axa within one week. They have also given a letter in this regard mentioning the remaining amount to be paid by them which would happen via bank to bank transfer (No cheque).

They mostly stuck to the timelines promised by them, did not bargain , asked me to tow the car back to my home to save on parking charges, the surveyor was very polite/helpful and had arranged for salvage dealer as soon as possible.

In general it was a pleasant experience dealing with Bharati-Axa.

[swami69]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

The Royal Sundaram guy came today and handed over a cheque for 3,20,000. I don't know how they arrived at that number.


I feel that if the car was salvageable (and I think, if electronics spares had been available, it was) then that should have been done a month ago. Now everything has suffered yet more from even sitting there in that state.

For everyone it is there own. But, Thad, after seeing this whole thing for 30 days now and talking to so many car affected people in my neighborhood, I am pretty confident that most of the cars can be brought back to shape. Yes, doing a repair 30 days ago would have been better, but I still feel it is not too late for a well built car. To look at it logically, the car was not standing in water for more than 24 hours, i guess, then it is only a question of drying and it would have dried in the next couple of days. During that 48 hours or so, whatever could have happened would have happened and they can be restored. This is how I would look at it.

Engine and Gear Box - No big issues if you have not cranked. Just needs a good flush and refill
Starter Motor - Sure it would have jammed - But, easily serviceable
Alternator - same case, serviceable
Radiator fan - serviceable
Exhaust, nothing big, but there could be some damage in the Catcon since the water would have been there for sometime
Body - I am pretty much guarantee, nothing would have happened, because my Corolla was standing in the Mechanic Garage instead of my Home for 20 days (no cleaning to body done during this time) and when I opened it after it was mechanically fit, the entire body was as new, no rust, nothing

So, to take care of the above, it is not going to cost much.

Now, the biggies, which is primarily electronics

ECM/PCM/BCM - I have seen few cars where these were just cleaned using anti rusting solution, sun dried and looked brand new and worked perfectly fine. Mine was gone, that is a different story. If one of this or all have gone, then it is an issue, but again, there are people who do this job of providing you a full set for a price, not sure whether it is easy for Polo under this demanding conditions - but you can check

A/C control electronics - Same case as above, repair and replacement is possible

Power Window controls / Air bag controls - again PCB boards etc., can be cleaned or replaced

Clutch/Wheel Bearings etc., - serviceable

It purely depends on how this needs to be looked at. If you have got 3.2L and if you wish to tread this route, I am pretty sure you can finish this job very well in less than 2L and keep the balance as polo FUND for future

But again, everyone will decide based on their priorities and so many other factors.

Just thought of sharing.

Swami

Originally Posted by audioholic

I am sincerely sorry to see so many people losing their cars and many brand new cars. I have this small insurance related doubt. Really sorry again but my curiosity has been bugging me from sometime. Now suppose the insurance pays you a cheque and remaining has to be paid by salvager, but you want to retain the car without giving it away, like what option Thad was given. Is it legal to accept part money from the insurance company and then get it repaired ourself?

@Thad really sorry that your polo met with this fate. But somehow I am confident that you can get the car back to shale without even spending the whole of the 3.2L you are given. The service center estimate is to be taken with a pinch of salt.

This option is called CASH LOSS and the buyer needs to take a risk in accepting this offer and he can do whatever he wants with his car. Sell it, repair it etc., no more questions asked, no need to provide any bills to the insurance etc., Just a Cash settlement and the policy will continue to be LIVE for future claims.

Swami