Writing this because I don't see anyone else on yelp coming up for diminished value claims.
Contacted them over such a claim. Had more luck over the phone than online. They picked up IMMEDIATELY, and I found them very personable and engaging.
Listen, this is probably not the most rewarding work. I imagine it's similar to people asking an attorney to help with a passport. Very mechanical legal stuff. Not so well paying, per se. Really more of a kindness and a courtesy, compared to what they can earn on personal injury and the like.
However, that said -- anything involving insurance is a pain in the ass, and we desperately need legal counsel like this.
I've been reading about unibody damage and diminished value online, and am shocked both at how unibody cars can't take a second hit as well as the first hit (unlike bolt on frame cars which can be totally repaired as new), and also at much value you lose at trade in. Eeek! Horror! Truly a horror.
However, anything I've brought up to my insurance company (Progressive), which I asked to mediate, has simply been downplayed and ignored. Despite the fact that though the other guy admitted 100% fault for "looking for something on the floor" when he rear ended me.
Sounds like a cake walk, right? You think Progressive would be kind and helpful, being that they don't owe one red cent since the other guy's insurance said they'd pay anything reasonable to settle?
Hardly. It's been like pulling teeth every step of the way.
First of all, it was hard to even get Progressive to mediate for me. I've been a good customer for over 5 years, perfect payment record, always comprehensive insurance. I actually pay them the maximum amount I can possibly pay each month to be insured to the hilt (literally, it is maxed out). Yet they didn't even want to help mediate. "Why don't you just go it alone?"
Why don't I go it alone? Against another insurance company?? What! Oh yeah, that'll be as simple as breathing for me. I am the insurance master herself, in the flesh, right?
So even though I hear so much good about Progressive, boy, was I wrong. It's dangerous hype. In reality, they're shockingly useless and difficult to deal with. I will be looking for a higher end insurance company after this debacle is over with. I need a gold plan.
Furthermore, kindness and being a good human doesn't seem to help at all when it comes to some companies and situations. Insurance and accidents being one of those times. Without a good mediator, you're going to get hurt, even if someone else is at fault. Period.
That's where a law firm like this comes in.
Often the very same request, when delivered by an attorney, returns a completely different result. "Why yes, sir or m'am, why we certainly can do that -- why did you have to get all lawyery on us, why didn't you just ask?"
Ahhhh, why didn't I even ask?? I did ask, remember! *rolls eyes*
Even if it's not lucrative enough for them to take such a case on contingency, I'd still be happy for pay their advisement or, even better, letter writing. I have a feeling I won't be able to get through this insurance nonsense without them, whereas they can probably make very short work of it. I've seen simple requests from attorneys do miracles before.
Thank goodness they seem willing to do this type of work at all -- I honestly don't see diminished values services offered much in the Seattle area. I get plenty of hits on google for these issues, but they seem to be anywhere but Seattle. Literally -- thank god for them.
After calling, I do also feel they are probably very good at the work they likely prefer doing -- personal injury. I won't be able to judge them based on this, but you can often tell a lot about a person from their voice tone... Oh, and Avvo ratings. :) (they rate very well on there, a site dedicated to rating lawyers)
I'll give an update later on when I find out more. So far, 5 stars.
Frankly, even if they can simply refer me to a good adjustor and maybe I can hire them to write a letter to reinforce whatever the adjustor says, then I'll likely be happy. My guess is that'll be all it takes to put more authority behind the requests than I have alone.
Most insurers, like medical companies, don't seem to have any ethics, morals or even follow the basics of the law, until you have someone who understands the law contact them. Then it's often game over, since they have a better idea that you are serious, and if they don't do the basics of what they're supposed to do, they'll be in a lot deeper water should they get taken to court.
Court costs are high and often considered a waste of time, and further, lawsuits can set precedents that will cost bad actors even more money later down the line. That's why most insurers suddenly get a moral compass within moments of being contacted by legal representation.
I finally feel I may be able to either get my car fixed right, or do a trade in for something safer, without losing my shirt. Kudos! read more
