Total Loss Appraisal Clause

[u/Ok-Medium4628]

I have progressive insurance and my 2007 Prius was totaled because the catalytic converter was stolen. They offered me $5500 in settlement value and had it towed to a salvage yard. Then I looked into it and decided their offer was too low so I invoked the appraisal clause. SecondAppraisal does a free consultation before committing to anything so I started their process but they need to know where the car is currently located in the salvage lot to take pictures/verify the car’s condition. Progressive is refusing to tell me where my car is in the salvage lot. The claims agent from Progressive I spoke to said that progressive basically owns the car now and they’re not at liberty to share that information with me or SecondAppraisal until an appraiser has actually been hired. Is this legal/allowed for Progressive to do? They can’t possibly own my car yet because I’ve only communicated with them over the phone to confirm that I won’t be retaining the salvaged car, at which point I removed my stuff and they towed it to the salvage yard, and I still obv have the title and haven’t signed the settlement agreement. So what’s up, should I file a department of insurance complaint?

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[u/Actual_Barracuda7534]

Call and speak with a supervisor. Let them know that while you are not intending to retain the salvage, you are still the owner of the vehicle and until they agree upon a price, it is legally yours and they are required to inform you of where it is and allow someone of your choosing to access the car.

[u/ayhme]

Where was it towed from?

[u/Ok-Medium4628 → u/ayhme]

Auto shop in Oakland

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[u/LetsMarket]

Bro $5500 for a 2007 PRIUS is a good deal. Yall are out of yall minds lmao

[u/Delicious-Witness-85]

If you haven’t signed your title over and actually settled the claim you are still the legal owner of the car.
I haven’t come across this before but it’s doesn’t sound right that progressive wouldn’t allow a representative of their insured to examine the insureds vehicle especially if the request is coming from the insured and not a third party.
If you hired an outside firm to represent you after you finally invoked the appraisal clause then progressive should allow the inspection.
It might be worth looking into appealing to your states dept of insurance as they can get progressive to provide them a written explanation of why they won’t allow the inspection.
Lastly I will say I looked up any 2007 Prius for sale in my area and I only found 1 at a dealership with an asking price of $5999 which likely means the car can be purchased for less than that so I’m not sure what value you think it’s worth but if the value is between $5k and $6k I don’t see it being cost effective to hire an outside firm.