BS: Oregon insurance question/Rainycamp rela

Subject: BS: Oregon insurance question/Rainycamp rela
From: mg
Date: 01 Feb 03 - 02:05 PM

Hi.a quick question mostly for Oregon people. Someone who wants to come to RC has just had some damage to her car. The insurance company and the mechanics are telling her that first she has to have the body repaired before they will even look at the mechanics of it. I presume it is not a brand new car and this makes no sense to me. Anyone more familar with Oregon laws? If so, could you please b.c. me at [e-mail] and perhaps give a phone number so she or I could call. Thanks.   mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oregon insurance question/Rainycamp rela
From: leprechaun
Date: 01 Feb 03 - 03:36 PM

It's an area of the law I don't generally encounter, but the whole thing sounds like an insurance company policy more than anything else.

With this little information it makes no sense. If it's totalled it's totalled. Why repair the body if the engine and drive train repair could cost more than the value of the car?

Subject: RE: BS: Oregon insurance question/Rainycamp rela
From: mg
Date: 01 Feb 03 - 04:16 PM

I think it is not totalled at all but it is making wierd sounds when she drives it..has gone to a couple of mechanics and they told her the same thing..but she obviously doesn't want a new paint job on a car that is too expensive to repair or not worth it or whatever... mg

Subject: RE: BS: Oregon insurance question/Rainycamp rela
From: leprechaun
Date: 01 Feb 03 - 05:34 PM

Maybe the insurance company doesn't want to invest in mechanical work if the body damage will devalue the car below their comprehensive limits.

Any Insurance folks out there who could clarify?

Subject: RE: BS: Oregon insurance question/Rainycamp rela
From: Broadside Johnnie
Date: 02 Feb 03 - 03:48 AM

ORS Chapter 746 Trade Practices 746.275 to 746.300

ORS Chapter 819 Destroyed, Totaled, Abandoned and Stolen Vehicles; Vehicle Identification Numbers 819.012 and 819.014

ORS Chapter 801 Oregon Vehicle Code 801.527 is the definition of "totaled"

Firstly, I'm not an attorney or insurance expert.

I don't read anything in these statutes that prohibit the business practice you describe.

Still, there may be other rules and standards. Try the Department of Consumer and Business Services, the Director of which is authorized to make administrative rules.

I'm not clear on one point, so the car owner should be prepared to clarify it: "mechanics are telling her that first she has to have the body repaired before they will even look at the mechanics of it".

Does this mean that mechanics refuse to provide even an estimate for the mechanical repair? Have they refused or not offered to explain the requirement?

The car owner is a female. Harsh reality prompts these suggestions: if she has a close male friend, recruit him to take the car to a couple of other shops and see if he gets the same line, or more detail. She might also call Reborn Automotive, Inc. in Portland. If Vince or his wife Becky doesn't answer the phone, ask for one of them, or leave a message to have them call you. I use this shop. They're ethical.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: Oregon insurance question/Rainycamp rela
From: mg
Date: 02 Feb 03 - 04:13 AM

Thanks. She maybe should send her husband. If it was only one mechanic I would have said it sounds like a scam but 2 have told her this. She is far from Portland..it is my understanding that the mechanics will not give her a mechanical estimate and have told her it is the insurance rule, which sounds looney tunes to me. I'm in Washington and never heard of such a thing but then I never had to use my insurance thank heavens. Broadside Johnnie...good name for an insurance consultant. mg