Farmer's Nearly Cost Me My Life!

Complaint:
Farmer's Insurance nearly cost me my life or worse paralysis! My vehicle was running poorly and I sent it on a tow truck to Aamco on October 25, 2011. My car was "fixed" by Aamco and returned to me sans $586.59 for a mass air flow sensor plus my rental car expense. On November 8,2011, my car was lugged down when I pulled it from the garage, around the front of my garage, it blasted forward and went into my neighbor's brick wall just missing their truck and house. Aamco has not fixed whatever was wrong with the air/gas mixture.

Farmer's suggested the car go to The Carriage Shoppe, their prefered supplier and direct adjuster. It was explained as one stop shopping. They would also manage correcting the mechanical problem that Aamco "did not have the proper equipment to test and correct". I was told European Motor Cars was capable. Gary Siedenburg, the adjuster called all happy that European Motor had found the problem and fixed it. However, it was not in the area of Aamco's work so Farmer's would not suborgate Aamco. About then I noticed Farmer's exposure was less than $3,500. If they defended me, it would cost them more in legal fees to suborgate.

On December 5, 2011, I had a 4 level cervical fusion. I was told at the hospital to not fall or get in any car wrecks. I questioned Gary and The Carrage Shoppe if the car was truly safe. I asked Farmer's to have a forensic mechanical engineer evaluate the car. Gary and his supervisor, Mary Ann Robertson denied this request because "Farmer's provides an additional life time warranty as long as the owner' owns the vehicle". I explained that meant nothing if I was dead.

The car was returned to my garage by Kendra from The Carriage Shoppe on December 9th. I paid $1,000. deductible. On December 19, 2011, I was stopped by a railroad train and sat in a line of traffic. I was in park. When I put the car in drive, the car blasted forward into a City trailer. I was ticketed for driving an unsafe car.

On December 28, 2011, I called a forensic mechanical engineer, Mike Mc Gee at Phoenix-investigations. I learned neither Aamco nor European Motor would have nor could have fixed the complicated system on my 2003 BMW X5. Mike's description convinced me the vehicle is a death trap for me or anyone else who might drive the car.

Jeremy Dreweck is the claim adjustor for the accident on the 19th. The claim number is 1020358239. On January 4, 2012, Jeremy returned my call. I did explained to Jeremy that I hold Farmer's Insurance responsible for putting me in a dangerous vehicle and putting my life at risk. I told him that the vehicle needs to be 'totaled' and removed from the road so neither myself or some family dies and futher, Farmer's has all ready taken on the responsiblity when they "fixed" the car. Jeremy said Farmer's had issued a check for $859.56 for full settlement of the claim. Within 20 minutes of the conversation, Gary Siedenbury called out of "the blue" to tell me Farmer's was going to suborgate Aamco??? I have a log and full documentation of Farmer's effort to confuse and retract statements.

On January 8, 2012, Jeremy Dreweck left me a threatening message that I must get my car out of The Carriage Shoppe in two days or they would start charging daily storage fees. However, on that day I and a witness went to The Carriage Shoppe. I did not receive any threats from The Carriage Shoppe. I and my witness, investigated the damage to my vehicle. It actually appears much greater than the damage from the wreck on November 8, 2011 which cost a total of $4,287.91. The bumper appeared to be pushed into the shroud of the radiator. On August 15, 2011, I replaced this part that came new from the dealership for a bill of $783.98 so I know what the part is worth.



Resolution:
1.) Farmer's needs to 'total" my vehicle and give me fair market value of $7,000. From my research, this is what the car would be worth without the damages incurred from the December 19, 2011 wreck but this number does take into account the mechanical challenges. The alternative is Farmer's to pay $5,100 for the current damages and I could sell the car at auction. This is less good because it does not ensure the vehicle does not kill someone. There should be no $1,000 deductible since Farmer's actions were negligent.

2.) My car rental expenses should be compensated from December 19, 2011 to when the settlement is paid out.

3. My court costs should be paid by Farmer's for putting me in an unsafe car.

4.) If Farmer's does not choose to subordinate Aamco, they should return, my $1,000. I've been a client of Farmer's over 18 years and cannot remember even one auto claim. I'm appalled to learn "Farmer's is on the cheap" and does not take care of their clients.

5.) My license plates were stolen while the car was at European Motor (I was told it was secured). A police officer called me as I was walking into my surgery on December 5, 2011 to report this. My attorney secured $80 from European Motor and replaced them. Now they are destroyed from the damage on December 19, 2011. Farmer's needs to cover this.

6.) There are other intangibles such as possible increase for auto coverage, set backs to my health, lost of income, fear and trauma that I can't put a price on for compensation