62vauxhall
Super Member
In my experience, that has been so. Unless there is a policy limit in place, the insurance company would be obligated to replace with the same make and model if still available.
Bear in mind, I'm in Canada. If you're in the US, I've no knowledge if the insurance industry guidelines differ. Logically, LKQ replacement criteria should still apply.
But, it's the adjuster's call. Discussions between myself and them were necessary from time to time including explanatory e-mails when replacement costs were higher than they expected.
Insurance adjusters can get audited so having corroboration in their files for higher that perceived replacement costs saves their asses.
Probably unlikely but if for some reason, that speaker manufacturer retained that model designation but applied it to a higher end model, the adjuster could consider the same model number betterment. If that manufacturer offers the same performance as the original at a lower cost and calls it something else, that may be that is what the adjuster is going to offer. It depends on how savvy they are or who's opinion they trust.
They will of course, look for the least expensive way to settle, but in your case, it seems straight foreward. They may however, take exception if you bought the originals used and have no receipt. Adjusters love receipts so if you bought new and have the receipt there should be no dispute.
For example, one claim I was involved with, a woman had 2 pairs of Lowether something or other stolen. She bought them at auction for $500 and the adjuster knew this. I told the adjuster, I researched replacement Lowether's and the cost was $5000 per pair.
The adjuster would not go $10,000 for a $500 used purchase so there was a compromise. The insured got speakers worth about $2000 and a receiver upgrade. She was powering the Lowether's with an inexpensive Yamaha receiver - what the speakers came with. She did know much about stereo equipment and was a bit choked to learn what she had were worth so much but she accepted the situation and took what was offered. If she chose to dispute it the outcome might have been different but who knows how long that would have taken or how her premiums would be affected. She could have been denied policy renewal and if one company knows that, they all know that.
A friend of mine recently went through the dispute process. A tree fell onto his deck and the adjuster was quoted $30,000 by a restoration company and an engineering company to repair it. My friend owns a contracting company and built the deck himself. He disagreed stating $125,000 was needed for a rebuild. It took 18 months but he got the new deck.
If an adjuster thinks you're a pain in the neck, your file goes right to the bottom of the pile.
You, on the other hand, should be able to make your case fairly easily but should review the terms and conditions of the policy.
If it's your own home insurance, ask your agent/broker for clarification if needed. If it's the carrier's insurance, review the agreement you have with them. Might be they state up front not being responsible for anything past a certain amount.
Bear in mind, I'm in Canada. If you're in the US, I've no knowledge if the insurance industry guidelines differ. Logically, LKQ replacement criteria should still apply.
But, it's the adjuster's call. Discussions between myself and them were necessary from time to time including explanatory e-mails when replacement costs were higher than they expected.
Insurance adjusters can get audited so having corroboration in their files for higher that perceived replacement costs saves their asses.
Probably unlikely but if for some reason, that speaker manufacturer retained that model designation but applied it to a higher end model, the adjuster could consider the same model number betterment. If that manufacturer offers the same performance as the original at a lower cost and calls it something else, that may be that is what the adjuster is going to offer. It depends on how savvy they are or who's opinion they trust.
They will of course, look for the least expensive way to settle, but in your case, it seems straight foreward. They may however, take exception if you bought the originals used and have no receipt. Adjusters love receipts so if you bought new and have the receipt there should be no dispute.
For example, one claim I was involved with, a woman had 2 pairs of Lowether something or other stolen. She bought them at auction for $500 and the adjuster knew this. I told the adjuster, I researched replacement Lowether's and the cost was $5000 per pair.
The adjuster would not go $10,000 for a $500 used purchase so there was a compromise. The insured got speakers worth about $2000 and a receiver upgrade. She was powering the Lowether's with an inexpensive Yamaha receiver - what the speakers came with. She did know much about stereo equipment and was a bit choked to learn what she had were worth so much but she accepted the situation and took what was offered. If she chose to dispute it the outcome might have been different but who knows how long that would have taken or how her premiums would be affected. She could have been denied policy renewal and if one company knows that, they all know that.
A friend of mine recently went through the dispute process. A tree fell onto his deck and the adjuster was quoted $30,000 by a restoration company and an engineering company to repair it. My friend owns a contracting company and built the deck himself. He disagreed stating $125,000 was needed for a rebuild. It took 18 months but he got the new deck.
If an adjuster thinks you're a pain in the neck, your file goes right to the bottom of the pile.
You, on the other hand, should be able to make your case fairly easily but should review the terms and conditions of the policy.
If it's your own home insurance, ask your agent/broker for clarification if needed. If it's the carrier's insurance, review the agreement you have with them. Might be they state up front not being responsible for anything past a certain amount.
Last edited: