Sadly, this sounds like a case where the insurance company looks for any loophole they can find in attempts to avoid a payment. 
Bad Day
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From: The Sunshine State
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From one Floridian Corvette brother to another, sorry to hear about your Vette. Florida roads are not Vette friendly when they are dry, let alone under water.
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Pro
Joined: May 2000
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From: Thonotosassa Florida
Update
After doing a lot of searching and getting all the facts I was able to convince my insurance company to spring for a new engine from GM. They actually had 19 of them. It will take another two weeks before I do get my car back but not having to go with a used motor is a blessing! I did get to see pictures of the car that the used motor was coming from and it substained a considerable amount of damage. The oil filler cap was also missing from the engine which did lead me to believe water might have gotten into the engine.
Race Director
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From: Middletown, DE
After doing a lot of searching and getting all the facts I was able to convince my insurance company to spring for a new engine from GM. They actually had 19 of them. It will take another two weeks before I do get my car back but not having to go with a used motor is a blessing! I did get to see pictures of the car that the used motor was coming from and it substained a considerable amount of damage. The oil filler cap was also missing from the engine which did lead me to believe water might have gotten into the engine.
I stayed out of this up to now, but I am really surprised they are springing for a new engine (vs. one w/6K and a one year warranty) considering as the engine that was ruined had no warranty (and how many miles?) I would not have complained -- now I know (if it ever happens) that I have more rights than I thought!!!
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From: Middletown, DE
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From: Florida, Hell's Doorstep
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Pro
Joined: May 2000
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From: Thonotosassa Florida
Great outcome for you (except for the inconvenience of it all).
I stayed out of this up to now, but I am really surprised they are springing for a new engine (vs. one w/6K and a one year warranty) considering as the engine that was ruined had no warranty (and how many miles?) I would not have complained -- now I know (if it ever happens) that I have more rights than I thought!!!
I stayed out of this up to now, but I am really surprised they are springing for a new engine (vs. one w/6K and a one year warranty) considering as the engine that was ruined had no warranty (and how many miles?) I would not have complained -- now I know (if it ever happens) that I have more rights than I thought!!!
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From: Missoura Ozark's
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
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From: Lacombe Louisiana
With the very reasonable price of crate motors this is the way to go both for you and the dealer.Also if the insurance company pays for a used engine and when it is installed turns out to be bad,they would be on the hook for the labor to replace it again,most dont want that hassle.That warranty sure looks good now doesnt it?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: San Antonio Texas
This is what I have been told. Dealer states engine is still seized up after pulling plugs. Also stated they found two bent rods along with more than likely lower crank damage. According to the dealer the insurance company will not pay for a new engine because it is over 7 years old. They would only pay for a rebuilt engine. Dealer told me he was able to locate a used 02 engine with 6.000 miles on it that was cheaper than the rebuild ones. Here is whee I need advice. Can the insurance company do this and am I getting all the facts here. HELP!!!
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Pro
Joined: May 2000
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From: Thonotosassa Florida
Better Day
On Friday I finally picked up my car from our local Chevy dealer. The new engine has been installed and the workmanship was excellent. I now have to break it in! If any of you have had experiences with your insurance companies regarding your rights, as a consumer, to requesting any parts back that were replaced on your car from an insurance claim, please chime in. I want to know, as a consumer, do I have the rights to ask for my blown motor back? My Chevy dealer told me that the motor is junk and will be carted off to the local salvage yard. If this is the case why can't I have it?
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From: bel air md
Racer
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From: Lake Forest CA
It should be just like a totaled car. The ins. co. pays you what it's worth and they own it. You can buy it from them if you want.
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Pro
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From: Thonotosassa Florida
That is exacty what I am thinking. My claims adjuster at the insurance company originally told me he had no problem with me taking back my engine, which I have in writing, but when I called the dealer to let them know they then called back the insurance adjuster and complained about their liability of giving this engine back to me stating they would be liable if someone got hurt because of this engine. They are now demanding the insurance company give them, in writing, a complete release from any liability from this engine and now my adjuster is caving in to the dealer on his original okay for me to have it. I really think this engine is not as bad as originally stated as blown and someone has an interest in buying it. I have to wait until Monday before I can get back in touch with the insurance company so please, if anyone has been through this type of situation could give me advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Lake Forest CA
That is exacty what I am thinking. My claims adjuster at the insurance company originally told me he had no problem with me taking back my engine, which I have in writing, but when I called the dealer to let them know they then called back the insurance adjuster and complained about their liability of giving this engine back to me stating they would be liable if someone got hurt because of this engine. They are now demanding the insurance company give them, in writing, a complete release from any liability from this engine and now my adjuster is caving in to the dealer on his original okay for me to have it. I really think this engine is not as bad as originally stated as blown and someone has an interest in buying it. I have to wait until Monday before I can get back in touch with the insurance company so please, if anyone has been through this type of situation could give me advice it would be greatly appreciated.
They can't keep what's not their's. They have no liability for something they don't/didn't own--any more than your insurance co. has any liability for letting you have it. Tell your adjustor you'll cancel your policy if he doesn't write the letter. Or have him write a letter saying you can have it but without any disclaimer language. Then if the dealer won't give you the motor, call local law enforcement and have them send an officer out and tell him they won't release your property. You could also talk to them in advance to find out if that would work.
Failing that, send them a letter of your intentions to go to Small Claims Court and they will be financially liable if they let they engine go.
GET UGLY!
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Pro
Joined: May 2000
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From: Thonotosassa Florida
They can't keep what's not their's. They have no liability for something they don't/didn't own--any more than your insurance co. has any liability for letting you have it. Tell your adjustor you'll cancel your policy if he doesn't write the letter. Or have him write a letter saying you can have it but without any disclaimer language. Then if the dealer won't give you the motor, call local law enforcement and have them send an officer out and tell him they won't release your property. You could also talk to them in advance to find out if that would work.
Failing that, send them a letter of your intentions to go to Small Claims Court and they will be financially liable if they let they engine go.
GET UGLY!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Lake Forest CA
I just got a voice mail from my claims adjuster. He states that in the state of Florida the insurance company will not release the motor to me because of insurance fraud. He said that I could take the old motor back and put it back into my car and then file another duplicate insurance claim for another new motor. He also stated I could not even buy it back for the same reason. That is nuts! On Monday I am going to ask for something in writing stating this Florida insurance policy.
Yeah, ask him for a copy of the statute.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
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From: Lacombe Louisiana
Tell him to take the serial numbers off of the old engine and record it so it cannot be used in a claim again,pretty simple.Besides ,they did not "buy" your old engine,what they paid for was the replacement engine.People can and should ask for their old parts ,if for nothing else to insure they have indeed been replaced.