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Post by anusemoon on Sept 12, 2004 16:53:41 GMT -6
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Post by erw38 on Sept 12, 2004 17:07:29 GMT -6
I think you would have to deal with insurance. You would, of course, have the right to sue GM, but I doubt that would go anywhere. IF, and thats a big IF, you won, then you would most likely get an apology and maybe the monetary equivlent (sp?) to a new fuel rail. That is, of course, unless there was any injuries and/or fatalities.  |
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dred98
Aurora Driver
Posts: 470 
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Post by dred98 on Sept 12, 2004 18:26:54 GMT -6
The best way to figure out what would happen is to read the newspaper - almost any newspaper.
This isn't the first recall by a car company- there's been a lot of worse ones than this.
Every car company has at some time or another recalled cars because the brakes don't work, or the car will burst into flames or roll over or something.
If you're going to really worry about this I suggest you stop driving and hide in the basement.
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scottydl
Super Moderator 
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
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Post by scottydl on Sept 13, 2004 11:00:43 GMT -6
anusemoon, I had a very similar situation occur with my 1998 Pontiac Bonneville... not regarding a fuel rail, but regarding a GM recall. I was never specifically sent a recall letter, although my Bonny did experience the EXACT problem spelled out for other vehicles with the same engine. The result was an engine fire and my Bonneville being totalled. I'll save you some grief. Settle with your insurance company, and do NOT attempt to deal directly with GM Customer Service. It is a complete waste of time. Whatever your insurance company will offer you as a settlement will probably be at least 2x what GM *might* offer after their own investigation (4-5 weeks). Once your insurance company pays you, they have the right to sue GM for the payment... but that will be THEIR lawyers and time, not yours. That's the short version.  My whole story can be read at BonnevilleClub.com if you're interested... original story here, and updated story & shopping for a replacement here. P.S. This type of situation should be covered by Comprehensive insurance coverage, under the "Acts of God" clause (seriously). Even if you don't have full (collision) coverage, hopefully Comprehensive is still on your policy. It's very cheap and well worth the money, as far as insurance goes. |
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Post by Letitroll98 on Sept 13, 2004 21:15:51 GMT -6
FYI be advised that auto insurance policies cover ACV (actual cash value) only. This means they only pay out the wholesale Blue Book value of the car, not the replacement cost OR the amount remaining on your loan OR what you claim the car is worth with all those expensive mods. If you have financed your car with little or no money down and are in the first two thirds of the loan, you will probably owe the loan company money even after the insurance company pays out. In this case you need "Gap" insurance, usually bought at the dealer for one payment, to cover the gap between the ACV and your remaining loan amount in the case of total loss.
If you have bought the car outright or owe only a fraction of the wholesale value, you can get a rider to cover replacement cost for that baby you've spent so much on. These riders are not inexpense nor available in all states.
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scottydl
Super Moderator
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
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Post by scottydl on Sept 14, 2004 9:00:59 GMT -6
FYI be advised that auto insurance policies cover ACV (actual cash value) only. My insurance company paid me replacement value for my Bonneville, based on what similar models were selling for in my area... maybe that's what you mean by ACV? And they even took MY research into account when offering a settlement... initially they offered $7200 which I thought was too low. I showed them about 10 pages of ads from autotrader, local classifieds, and other sources, all of which showed Bonnevilles like mine selling for $7500-9000. My company raised their "offer" to $8200 which I agreed to. That being said, every company is different and I 100% agree that a rider is an excellent idea to boost your car's value or cover any mods (stereo, mechanical, etc). |
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Post by R4D30N on Sept 14, 2004 9:39:02 GMT -6
anusemoon, I had a very similar situation occur with my 1998 Pontiac Bonneville... not regarding a fuel rail, but regarding a GM recall. I was never specifically sent a recall letter, although my Bonny did experience the EXACT problem spelled out for other vehicles with the same engine. The result was an engine fire and my Bonneville being totalled. I'll save you some grief. Settle with your insurance company, and do NOT attempt to deal directly with GM Customer Service. It is a complete waste of time. Whatever your insurance company will offer you as a settlement will probably be at least 2x what GM *might* offer after their own investigation (4-5 weeks). Once your insurance company pays you, they have the right to sue GM for the payment... but that will be THEIR lawyers and time, not yours. That's the short version. My whole story can be read at BonnevilleClub.com if you're interested... original story here, and updated story & shopping for a replacement here. P.S. This type of situation should be covered by Comprehensive insurance coverage, under the "Acts of God" clause (seriously). Even if you don't have full (collision) coverage, hopefully Comprehensive is still on your policy. It's very cheap and well worth the money, as far as insurance goes. comprehensive is an extra $60 per month for me  |
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scottydl
Super Moderator
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
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Post by scottydl on Sept 14, 2004 9:43:16 GMT -6
comprehensive is an extra $60 per month for me YIKES!  My full coverage doesn't cost that much! Sorry man... still something to look into tho, if you want some extra protection without paying for Collision coverage. |
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Post by R4D30N on Sept 25, 2004 0:06:06 GMT -6
i am paying the $60 per month though. my monthy bill is exactly 152.08. collision wouldve been 223.34 |
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Post by stevensolds on Sept 25, 2004 11:54:46 GMT -6
where was the link of some guys black aurora was on fire? it had pictuers of his engine and stuff, i wanted to show it to someone that has an aurora and doesnt believe that it could happen to him....
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Post by Isnibs on Sept 25, 2004 19:02:47 GMT -6
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Post by kobalt on Sept 25, 2004 22:19:22 GMT -6
That's one tough hood! Notice the paint did not bubble over after the fire. The fire was hot enough to burn high-temp hoses and temperature-resistant plastics, but the hood looks undamaged. Incredible!
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My whole story can be read at BonnevilleClub.com if you're interested... 
My full coverage doesn't cost that much! Sorry man... still something to look into tho, if you want some extra protection without paying for Collision coverage.
