This would be a good bit of work but what about buying a complete, matching, running, high mileage junker and swapping over the entire wiring harness? You could always recoup some of the expense of the junker by hauling it in for scrap weight.
-- Edited by Pint and a Pound on Wednesday 16th of January 2013 06:10:44 PM
The first thing I contemplated, since I was really hesitant to put the claim in. I just don't have the time, and can't afford to buy the donor plus 20 or so hours of labour. It took me over 3 hours to take the dash apart, to replace the heater core last year.
Although, it seems like my only alternative at the moment, finding a donor and work at it as time permits, but she is likely going to be without transportation until spring.
-- Edited by Gazoo on Wednesday 16th of January 2013 06:34:30 PM
Alright, here we go, I'm opening the can-o-worms, I'm pissed....! Here I am trying to help my daughter out because she is going to College and working part time etc..., so I "lend" her my '94 Corolla (2 yrs ago), with only 136k and countless mechanical upkeep due to it's age, brakes, gas tank, brake lines, brake cables, fuel lines, rad, struts, tires....The car was in top shape mechanically, because my little girl drives it.
So before Christmas I throw in a rebuilt starter...last Wednesday she calls me, says the car died on her driving through Brantford. I'm on my way to work at that time, so I tell her to get it towed, so she does.
The next news I get later that evening, was the wiring was all melted. At my earliest convenient time, which was Saturday, I drive to Brantford to have a look for myself.
Well it's nicely melted alright, I don't think there's a wire under that hood, that's not melted. The car needs to much work, and I don't have the time to fix it myself, the car is toast (pun intended). My daughter is dis-heartened she loved the car, it was her Gramma's originally.
So I tell her, not to worry about it so much, I'll work something out, since I have insurance for fire. So I'm thinking they won't give me much for it anyway, given it's a '94, but I'll try to squeeze $1,500. out of them anyways, as you can't really find a replacement for under $2,500.
Well #%%$#, even with fire coverage on the car, the #$% bastards are telling, "it's not covered, because it's mechanical", since when is a wiring harness mechanical I ask?,
What's with this paying for coverage and not being covered crock-o-s#!+ !!!!!
If there isn't any wires under hood that aren't melted, could this not be considered an "electrical fire". If you don't get anywhere with the claims official, ask for a supervisor. Failing that, what about going back on the supplier/mfg?
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If there isn't any wires under hood that aren't melted, could this not be considered an "electrical fire". If you don't get anywhere with the claims official, ask for a supervisor. Failing that, what about going back on the supplier/mfg?
My argument exactly, it's an electrical issue. I'd have to look hard to find a good wire, with the insulator not melted. I'm hoping my broker will go to bat for me (ya right), since he's been taking my $ for some 25yrs.
I would never claim anything less than $5000 in damages. If you tried to get $1500 out of the insurance company and were successful, I guarantee you that it will backfire on you in the future. Insurance companies is one place I don't monkey with.
unfortunatley fire coverage means your car pretty much has to burn to the ground to apply. my friend who is also my insurance guy pretty much told me if my vehicle is going to burn, make sure it burns good
I would never claim anything less than $5000 in damages. If you tried to get $1500 out of the insurance company and were successful, I guarantee you that it will backfire on you in the future. Insurance companies is one place I don't monkey with.
I agree I had a 2600 collision repair on my daughters mini van
The insurance went up per month and low and behold when they got 3000.00 in premiums,
the policy went back to the pre-accident level
(so help me God)
I have 7 vehicles insured including my 07 Suburban min. insurance no collision those bastards suck...
Wife just informed me we pay over $5000 per year on insurance on 4 vehicles. I had no idea, and now I'm pissed !! Thanks Gazoo for ruining my night !! LOL
Wife just informed me we pay over $5000 per year on insurance on 4 vehicles. I had no idea, and now I'm pissed !! Thanks Gazoo for ruining my night !! LOL
I pay 3000.00 for 7 vehicles with Economical 2 million liablity and no collision I figure if I smash it up I will pay... You smash me ... you pay
I forgot to add that I have a 20 year old Daughter, and a 16 year old Son !! Without them on the policy I'd probably be paying about 50 bucks/ year !! LOL
Wife just informed me we pay over $5000 per year on insurance on 4 vehicles. I had no idea, and now I'm pissed !! Thanks Gazoo for ruining my night !! LOL
I pay 3000.00 for 7 vehicles with Economical 2 million liablity and no collision I figure if I smash it up I will pay... You smash me ... you pay
I'm in at about $4K also, with my latest addition the '09 "300", my daughter is 24 and is in has a 2nd driver on the '94 Toyota. Aside from life insurance, house insurance etc...I'm probably looking at $500./mth for insurance alone.
All other times, I've shyed away from making a claim, because of the repercussions, higher rates...
The car is worth easily $2,800., like I said, I was ready to accept $1,500. for it, so I could put that money towards getting my daughter another ride, since I don't have enough spare time to repair this one.
After all these years (25+) of taking my money, I would've taught, that at least they would make me a lowball offer and not shoot me down.
Guess who just lost $6k/year business. That was just plain stupid.
Insurance companies NEED to make a profit how dare you think they should pay out just because your car had a bit of a fire. Imagine insurance companies working for the people who pay them, the heresy. The insurance companies are there for the stock holders not us stupid saps that might need a bit of help every now and then.
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Yup it is all in the wording. I had the same problem on my car a few years ago. Lucky for me they asked if I saw flame or just smoke. I guess you can figure out what I said they repaired it no problem. If it had of been just smoke it would have been consiserd a mechanical failure and a denied claim.
You have already "made a claim" by contacting the ins.co and it may already affect your policy rates. Just because they said its not covered I think that "denial of claim" is their response to any claim. Denial is mandated by head office. They are counting on you to give up. They know and count on the fact that for a $1500 claim or even a $5000 claim it will cost you an equal amount to fight it and you must win in court in order to get your money back. They will deny their liability right up to the day you go to court then settle for peanuts moments before you go into court. Usually 4-7 years down the road.
You have already "made a claim" by contacting the ins.co and it may already affect your policy rates. Just because they said its not covered I think that "denial of claim" is their response to any claim. Denial is mandated by head office. They are counting on you to give up. They know and count on the fact that for a $1500 claim or even a $5000 claim it will cost you an equal amount to fight it and you must win in court in order to get your money back. They will deny their liability right up to the day you go to court then settle for peanuts moments before you go into court. Usually 4-7 years down the road.
Yup!! I was thinking the same thing. Just the call could already be a death sentence.
This is what I was thinking. I am not in the insurance business but I wouldn't call your issue fire related either. Based on your description, you had an electrical failure that resulted in the wiring overheating and the insulation melting off ... fire did not melt the wires, an electrical failure did. Not trying to kick you when you're down but I can see their point in this instance.
Well said, maybe you should consider a change of profession, LOL. I totally get what you are saying, but I have to re-quote their statement of the clause, "It's not covered, because it's due to a mechanical issue". They are simply playing with words, still doesn't make it right.
Check the melted wiring again maybe there was some gasoline on it (wink wink)
I have to admit, I do have a mis-chieveist mind at moments. Kinda felt like charging up the batterie, crack the fuel filter fitting a touch, turn the ignition switch on and wait a moment, LOL.
I'm kinda over it anyway, I kinda figured they wouldn't honor the claim, just 'cause they can, and there's nothing us poor schmucks can do about it.
Bottom line, my broker and that particular insurance company are the one's loosing in the long run, because, either one of them is getting my $ no more.
Haven't you older guys noticed that the ins. industry and other services have gone down hill slowley over the years as the population has risin.The big conpanies don't need you anymore if you aren't happy they could care less as there are millions to take your place.The same thing is happening in the appliance industry .They all make this electronic crap that lasts for 3to5 yrs and is to expensive to repair so people buy a new one .If you complaine they say go by someware else if you don't like it.when there were fewer people large companies were crying for your business now they could care less. Ed
Yep....I have been with the same insurance company since I was 18 (42 years)....I dont pay a lot, but it does go up and up....I am just too lazy to go shopping and figure they will just be the same in a year or 2 anyways
Ed....not to get off topic here, but I just bought a new Whirlpool washer/dryer from the Brick...($899+++)...The salesman told me exactly what you said about the electronics etc and convinced me to get their 5 year warrenty for $199....Total with tax came to just over $1400, so I guess thats not too bad....Anyways, do you think this warrenty deal is worth it with these things not lasting 15-20 years like they used to?
Bad situation and those "older" corollas are good cars too.
Ive been paying for insurance for almost 6 years, close to 14k has gone into it. I started about paying $386 a month for a $500 car, im down to $108 a month for a $600 car.
Its just a big money grab, Insurance is a good idea but what you pay is ridiculous.
Haven't you older guys noticed that the ins. industry and other services have gone down hill slowley over the years as the population has risin.The big conpanies don't need you anymore if you aren't happy they could care less as there are millions to take your place.The same thing is happening in the appliance industry .They all make this electronic crap that lasts for 3to5 yrs and is to expensive to repair so people buy a new one .If you complaine they say go by someware else if you don't like it.when there were fewer people large companies were crying for your business now they could care less. Ed
I never recomended those extended warrenties before because you would pay way more for the warrenty over the years than any repair would cost .Now with all this expensive electronics the warrenties are a better idea.The controll center on most stoves cost anyware from $150 to $500 depending on options plus labour.The circut boards in fridges now are $250 to $400 plus labour,Washers the same except there are 3or4 controll units in some.These computers all seem to fail before the 5th year some more than once so if you got a warrenty coverage for 5yrs for that price it is not a bad deal for peice of mind. Ed
I'm on board with you guys, on buying extended warranty on appliances, it's good insurance. I've had a refrigerator go in just under 2 years. I was told LG were good brand name, I guess I got the bad one.
Now I'm wondering what my "Classic car" insurance policy covers under the "fire" clause, damned if I leave my battery tender plugged in.
I never buy extended warranties, because I repair my own. If the problem is something that is not in a rush to fix, I will order parts online, if not I will get them locally. Just last week my Parents called me telling me that their gas dryer would not heat up anymore and that they were ready to go and buy a new one. I told them that I would come over and look at it first before they spent their money on a new one. All it was, was a flame sensor that was in stock at the local appliance parts store in Ajax. $50 later my Mom was able to use the dryer!! It's just a mechanical piece of hardware, so with a bit of work, anything can be repaired.
I usually repair my own also,but, like Ed (flatblack55delivery), said, most of these newer appliances operate electronically, and those boards are pricey. The cost of the extended warranty, will pay for itself, if one of those boards fail. Having said this, I don't buy extended warranties on Ipads, laptops, computers, etc..., because those are not worth it, buy the time they screw up, they're out dated anyway, and it's cheaper to buy a new one.
I would be amazed if you can fix the electronic boards in a timley fashion and for a reasonable price.They are usually a replace only part.You don't have to be a brain surgeon to replace the board but finding the fault and the correct board is the problem.Fuses and sensors are pretty standard repairs but when you blow up one of the ECUs trying to fix your washer try to explane that to the wife.I see it all the time guys who know just enough to get themelves in trouble and taking a simple repair and turning it into a new unit ,like the computers in cars,very costly.I get these guys coming into the sshop all the time saying they want this or that part ,When I ask hoow they tested it they say its a guess .I tell them there is no return on electrical parts they say ok .Two days later they are back saying that it didn't fix the problem and they want there money back.Then they get all pissey when I say no,Would you buy parts that had been previousely installed.I had a guy that lived in Port Hope but worked in Oshawa call me to fix his dryer.He said he couldn't figure it out as it wouldn't start.He had replaced the timer $180.,Door switch$28,thermostats$20each x4,Bought all the parts in Oshawa.He said it had been down for three weeks and his wife was pissed .The problem was a thermal fuse on the blower housing caused by a pluged vent First stop on the wireing digram.No start problem on this make almost always this problem.Allhe had to do was ask and I could have saved him a ton of money but insted he went to a discount parts house where thy don't service ,just sell parts . Ended up under $100 parts and labour and 1/2 hr to fix.So if you are going by what the internet guys are saying, be careful ,remember the worst car repair advise thred that was posted last week,so called internet experts. Ed
To be quite honest,IMO very rarely does an electronic board fail to the point that it cannot be repaired. It will almost always be a mechanical failure, and not a component failure. Maybe i've been lucky, but I always trace the issue to cold solder joints, popped capacitors or fuses that are actually soldered on the board itself. As far as repairing things in this matter for customers, it's not worth your while because time is money, but for homeowners like myself repairing my own equipment, it has saved me tons of money.
Also with insurance, a friend was called the other day by his company saying that they will not renew his policy and March due to him having 3 tickets and being too much of a risk. A headlight ticket, a tint ticked and speeding for 20 over. It is a modified car (not tacky fart can and bodykit, but built turbo engine, suspension, brakes and gutted interior) so he wont be able to get it insured with another company (it would have to be appraised as well this time), being that he is under 25 any classic insurance wont cover him.
We were calling for quotes for him and average was about $340 a month.
I remember someone in the Cobourg area being recommended for insurance in another thread?
Also with insurance, a friend was called the other day by his company saying that they will not renew his policy and March due to him having 3 tickets and being too much of a risk. A headlight ticket, a tint ticked and speeding for 20 over. It is a modified car (not tacky fart can and bodykit, but built turbo engine, suspension, brakes and gutted interior) so he wont be able to get it insured with another company (it would have to be appraised as well this time), being that he is under 25 any classic insurance wont cover him.
We were calling for quotes for him and average was about $340 a month.
I remember someone in the Cobourg area being recommended for insurance in another thread?
I think it was Fatstax that mentioned he had a good Broker.
Sounds to me like "that car" is not what the org. insurance co. likely insured at the time of getting insurance, or he didn't tell them it was a "Modified" car, in which case they would not honour any claim, & could charge him with FRAUD for not declaring it!!!!! Think he's screwed for getting regular ins. on that vehicle!!!!
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