Corvette Hydro-Locked - Insurence question
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 30
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Corvette Hydro-Locked - Insurence question
My 00 Corvette c5 hydro-locked from water sucking into the air intake. Chevy wanted to replace it with a new motor, but my insurance is offering to replace it with the same year and similar miles motor.
What should I do about this. I've changed my oil ever 3k miles, and have babied this car. They want to give me a used motor that is coming out of a wrecked car with no history on the motor.
They've turned down Chevy quote to replace it with a new motor of the same year and model with this. What would you guys do?
What should I do about this. I've changed my oil ever 3k miles, and have babied this car. They want to give me a used motor that is coming out of a wrecked car with no history on the motor.
They've turned down Chevy quote to replace it with a new motor of the same year and model with this. What would you guys do?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 3
From: Miami, FL
so what, your car will just sit there until a vette comes around that has similar miles?
i call that bs, i would get an attorney involved in this...
what insurance is this?
can you have them pay a portion towards the new engine like a fair deal for both of you?
how many miles did your engine have?
i call that bs, i would get an attorney involved in this...
what insurance is this?
can you have them pay a portion towards the new engine like a fair deal for both of you?
how many miles did your engine have?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22,185
Likes: 65
From: NJ
I would read my policy and see what I am contractually entitled to, I bet its just a similar model/miles replacement engine. If you are going to keep the car for a while, I would then try and work something out with the dealer to get a new engine and pay the difference, the dealer can likely pad the bill a bit for you.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 24,569
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From: Spring Branch TX
St. Jude Donor '14,'18,'21
Based on the year of your car (more than 3 years old) I'd be willing to bet that your insurance policy has a clause stating that, at their discretion, they can replaced parts with "like" used ones. Been there...done that. After my 2000 coupe was damaged by fire (garage fire) I raised such a stink that my insurance company finally gave in and replaced damaged parts with new parts.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 22,695
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You'll have to pay the difference between what they give you and the cost of a new one.
New parts are only used if the vehicle is less than 12 months old; otherwise similar or like components can be used per your states insurance commission.
New parts are only used if the vehicle is less than 12 months old; otherwise similar or like components can be used per your states insurance commission.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 1
From: ATLANTA GA
Theres nothing wrong with the used motor....
Id do the later. Id market for the lowest mile motor i could, then instead of paying the difference for a new motor, Id slide the tech some money to pull off the oil pan and inspect everything, Maybe drop in some new bearings and rings.'
For what its worth, My c5 with 122k had perfect cylinder walls when it was torn down for rebuild, once washed, The motor looked totally immaculate, No varnish or crud was in the engine and you could eat off it.
Just a thought youd come out much cheaper by having the tech check the motor over.
Id do the later. Id market for the lowest mile motor i could, then instead of paying the difference for a new motor, Id slide the tech some money to pull off the oil pan and inspect everything, Maybe drop in some new bearings and rings.'
For what its worth, My c5 with 122k had perfect cylinder walls when it was torn down for rebuild, once washed, The motor looked totally immaculate, No varnish or crud was in the engine and you could eat off it.
Just a thought youd come out much cheaper by having the tech check the motor over.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 355
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From: Dayton Ohio
First I would ask what warranty the insurance company was providing with the used engine! I would want 12K
Second, what is the milage of your current engine?
Third, I would look for another insurance co. Motorist Mutual is great. Paid close to 50k when the wife totaled the Yukon and a ricer and didn't raise my rates.
I have bought used engines before- removed pan- gaged bearings - removed heads and did a bore inspection.
You could have your engine pulled and do a teardown for comparison.
Second, what is the milage of your current engine?
Third, I would look for another insurance co. Motorist Mutual is great. Paid close to 50k when the wife totaled the Yukon and a ricer and didn't raise my rates.
I have bought used engines before- removed pan- gaged bearings - removed heads and did a bore inspection.
You could have your engine pulled and do a teardown for comparison.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Your motor with it's oil changed every 3000 miles is a "used" motor too.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
thats BS. i did the exact same thing to my 02 Z06 ( http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...tml?highlight= ) my insurance covered it and wrote a check for 11k to replace the engine.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 76
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From: Columbia S.C.
Its possible with a new motor it could total out your car. remeber they use that special book when putting a price on your car. Usually they will put a warranty on the used engine they put in your car. I would let them put in the used motor. Ls motors are designed to take a beating and keep on going.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,655
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From: Jeffersonville In
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In 2001 I hydrolocked the engine in my 98 Pace Car. The engine had 21000 miles on it at the time. State Farm paid for a new crate motor plus the installation by the dealership. They also paid for new carpeting. If you had less than 50000 miles on your engine I think you have a good argument for a new engine. The adjuster you are dealing with has a supervisor/manager you may need to speak with. If no satisfaction from there, speak with your state insurance commissioner.As you have already learned, this claim is covered by your comprehensive coverage minus any deductible. Please try and remain courteous and polite with the adjuster. **** them off and they can be hell to deal with.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
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So what they are offering is 3,500 for a used motor. With all the other fee's its a total of 7k.
If I took this money and bought a motor from another place other than a dealership how much would I be looking at.
If I took this money and bought a motor from another place other than a dealership how much would I be looking at.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 35
From: INDIANA
You can use it as an opportunity to get a bigger, more HP engine if you want, $7000 goes a good way towards that.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 22,695
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OP you need to check your policy and see what it covers and what the limits are. Some policy's may allow for a new motor, most don't and will not.
20Zo604, I wouldn't call BS on this just because your situation worked out in your favor; most of the time it dosent and the law is on the Insurance's side and every situation is different.