Total loss - do they owe for my new tires?
If you are ever involved in a car accident where your vehicle is declared a total loss, this situation will probably become an issue. Insurance adjusters are trained to deny completely any new equipment in your vehicle. Their theory is that they are settling a the total loss of an old car and the equipment is part of that car, so they will not add more value to your settlement.
This notion is completely wrong! Insurance adjusters are told what to say, and the fact that they settle many claims the same way does not mean it is not wrong. The purpose of insurance and tort law is to indemnify you for your damages. To put you back in the position that you were before the accident happened.
If your vehicle had new equipment (tires or other equipment) that has significant life on it, then that would add value to your vehicle. What would you pay more money for, a 2006 vehicle with new tires or a 2006 vehicle with used tires? This will add more value to your car. Start asking to include all the value to your car and do not allow them to give you what they think your car is worth. Ask them to be fair. There is no law forbidding them to provide for new equipment, there is no case law excluding new equipment from insurance coverage (especially if you were hit), if they quoted, ask them to put it on writing.
Read more about the total loss process
