Sunday, October 28, 2012

Hurry Up To Wait...

As most insurance claims go, we are pretty much trapped playing the "Hurry Up and Wait" game. It is slightly more complicated involving 2 insurance companies, one for the truck and the other for the RV. The truck has been a bit easier since GMAC has a large presence including adjusters in Wilmington, NC where National Interstate has to send out an independent adjuster.

The accident occurred last Sunday and the truck arrived at Mikes Collision Center on Wednesday and the RV not until Thursday evening. The holdup--$3900 tow bill--color me not surprised. The insurance companies decided to split it. Although they don't seem very interested in the facts and my photos, I am taking on the fight in the interest of price gouging and deceptive information provided to the insurance folks. Yes, Yelp.com, Ripoffreport.com and the BBB are all part of the strategy, although I will give them the benefit of the doubt to correct their ways. Principles matter.

The truck damage when all is said and done will be at least $6100 and the estimated time frame is at least ten days. With the storm circling this area for the next few days, I am not sure how that will impact work and parts arriving from across the USA. The RV's adjuster played phone tag with me on Friday and no progress was made in even starting that process, so perhaps more on Monday. So, do the math--8 days and we have gotten the Lady Eagle from the accident scene to the repair shop.





Our depression meds....


 
Time to Google "laptop cemeteries"....rains, pours, and all that..

Spent Thursday away from insurance company jargon and hung out in downtown Wilmington. The Coast Guard Diligence, based here, was just leaving port after being docked for 30 days. Prediction: Population count to rise in 9 months. We stayed for 3 hours for one purpose--wanted to see how the bridge worked--draw or something else? Elevator bridge--real cool--as you can tell in the background, the span across the water separates and goes straight up to allow clearance for the Cutter enroute to the Caribbean for drug enforcement.



What the Atlantic looked like on Wednesday....a few days before Hurricane Sandy disturbs the scenery...

...and the gloom of Sandy arrives, four days of it on the forecast...

Because of the looming storm, we decided to return the rental car Friday night and will go without wheels for 4 days. We did not want another claim with the storm potential, debris flying around, etc. Our hotel has been great to us offering at 25% hardship discount and is proximate to eateries and WalMart.

We have eaten out more in the past 6 days than we have in the almost 7 months of this adventure. Not the way we planned it, but now for the first time, it feels like a vacation for Teri not having to cook! I am thankful for elastic.

What to do, what to do. In a bit of a quandary as I suspect most folks would be encountering such a drastic circumstance.We have learned patience is an asset when making a big decision on changing courses.

Our thoughts are in a holding pattern, but hard to expel the "what ifs"---what if it would have happened on the 2 lane road an hour earlier with families going out for a Sunday breakfast, what if my speed would have been 2 mph faster into the median cable, what if an 18 wheeler gas tanker would have been on my left side when the tire gave way---those are all thoughts that were realities that day, just not at the moment of the incident. We don't want to live a life in fear, sort of takes the joy out of it. So, we will trust we will be protected as we were 1 week ago today and move on. It is only 250 miles further back to Austin the way our course had us going, so why not go exploring rather than direct. Time and the checkbook balance hold the real clues.

Day #206---the journey remains parked in a hotel room in Wilmington, NC.











14 comments:

  1. You appear to be coping well, and have faith as your rudder. I hope the repairs are done soon for you and that the hurricane does not cause further problems.

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    1. Hurricane event, 1 day of rain, 1 day of 30mph wind, done. Grateful.

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  2. Good attitude Dave! Keep us posted as to how GMAC insurance does for you.

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    1. GMAC, other than having to stay on top of them, has been adequate, but final thoughts once cash is handed over to repair shop.

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  3. Let's see... You'll have front row seats for the hurricane. Not something that happens often in Austin, TX. All part of the adventure. In my experience National Interstate has been okay to deal with. At least in cases like yours where any damage is obviously from the accident. Hopefully there are some interesting dining options available.

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    1. Natl Interstate and GMAC, were both highly reviewed and recc'd, so we will see how it plays out in real, claim life.

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  4. Jerry suggests calling a limo service to take you and Teri to Walmart and out to dinner. Dress appropriately to get yourselves photographed to be included in the "People of Walmart" website. Ha!

    Our thoughts are with you guys in dealing with the insurance adventures!! Be safe and take care!

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    1. The Walmart here has had mostly the normal folk for their customers---so normal it looks abnormal for a Walmart.

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  5. It is said that God never lets you have more than you can handle. Sometimes we wonder if it had to be this trying. But you and Teri are taking it in stride.

    I will be looking forward to those "People of Walmart" pictures.

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    1. Amen D and L. After DC 2 weeks ago, we commented we were now free in terms of sched for next 6 months....now we are confined to a hotel, so much for that thought...

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  6. I have just read your blog about the accident. We are so sorry to hear about it and most important, glad that you are safe. We can recommend the The Front Street Brewery in downtown Wilmington as another remedy for depression meds.

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  7. Thanks R/C for the downtown recc, saw a nice lunch time crowd as we walked by the other day at the FSB, must be good.

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  8. I re-read but may have missed it (and yes, I know it's not THE focus), but did your laptop really crash?? Love the attitude. Just got caught up. Glad you guys are safe.

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  9. PS. I know I'm a little late coming to the party, so to speak, but my cousin lives about an hour away and has offered to help in any way she (or her husband) can. Email me and I'll let her know. She means it; so do I. TX hugZ to you both.

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