Update on Insurance claim for Walmart battery acid damage.
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Update on Insurance claim for Walmart battery acid damage.
I took the boards advice and went to my State Farm agents office last friday and filed a claim for the acid damage caused by my Walmart battery. First feeling is their not going to treat me like a good neighbor. Im located in Mo. and the claims office is about 60 miles away. For some reason I received a call from their Tulsa Ok. office. They asked what I had to back up my claim. I sent them 17 4x6 photos showing the damage along with a nice exterior picture of the car so they could see it wasn't just an average car. I also had the dealer print a letter stating my 99 coupe has 28,500 miles and is in excellent condition and appears to have always been maintained properly. It went on to say my car was damaged from the four month old Walmart battery that leaked acid. In addition to the above I also provided an estimate for damages in the amount of $1198.00 and the receipt showing the Walmart battery was only four months old. The lady at the claims office said after she looks at everything it will go to her boss and after he looks at it then it will go to his boss. I also received a letter that made it sound like they were laying the ground work to turn down my claim, just my gut feeling I hope Im wrong. I currently have 5 policies and have been with State Farm since 1971. I will post my results as I get them.
#4
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2005
Location: Menands (Albany) NY
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good Luck
But...Don't count on it. Just like if your oil leaked out and your engine seized. It wasn't an "accident"
Why not go after Wal Mart if you think that caused the damage?
Why not go after Wal Mart if you think that caused the damage?
#5
Melting Slicks
Hopefully State farm isn't adhering to the current policy of most insurance carriers (All State is one that does this): Deny, Delay, Delay...wait for you to sue them, then pay out.
#6
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 0
Received 79 Likes
on
61 Posts
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It'll be interesting to see how they tackle this.
Another option may be to persuade them to act on you behalf to go after Walmart
Another option may be to persuade them to act on you behalf to go after Walmart
#7
Le Mans Master
#8
Safety Car
#9
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
Posts: 12,952
Received 797 Likes
on
448 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
Sounds like a defective battery issue .
You need to talk to a lawyer about writing a letter to the battery manufacturer instead of Wal-Mart or your insurance.
If your insurance pays out , believe it will cost you for the next few years . They will get it back from you in small installments
Wal-MArt can't be responsible for all defective products in their stores ,
the manufacturers however , have the responsibility of making every product they make up to a certain standard . good luck
that is MHO , though I am not a lawyer , but I spent the night at a Holiday INN express last night
You need to talk to a lawyer about writing a letter to the battery manufacturer instead of Wal-Mart or your insurance.
If your insurance pays out , believe it will cost you for the next few years . They will get it back from you in small installments
Wal-MArt can't be responsible for all defective products in their stores ,
the manufacturers however , have the responsibility of making every product they make up to a certain standard . good luck
that is MHO , though I am not a lawyer , but I spent the night at a Holiday INN express last night
#11
Team Owner
Member Since: Jan 2004
Location: HOUSTON
Posts: 23,219
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15, '19
I think I will pull that cheap wally world battery that I tossed in there to get back on the road and replace it with a Yellow Top, good luck. I have State Farm and they have always done me right !
#12
Drifting
State Farm will Pay if you have comprehensive
I took the boards advice and went to my State Farm agents office last friday and filed a claim for the acid damage caused by my Walmart battery. First feeling is their not going to treat me like a good neighbor. Im located in Mo. and the claims office is about 60 miles away. For some reason I received a call from their Tulsa Ok. office. They asked what I had to back up my claim. I sent them 17 4x6 photos showing the damage along with a nice exterior picture of the car so they could see it wasn't just an average car. I also had the dealer print a letter stating my 99 coupe has 28,500 miles and is in excellent condition and appears to have always been maintained properly. It went on to say my car was damaged from the four month old Walmart battery that leaked acid. In addition to the above I also provided an estimate for damages in the amount of $1198.00 and the receipt showing the Walmart battery was only four months old. The lady at the claims office said after she looks at everything it will go to her boss and after he looks at it then it will go to his boss. I also received a letter that made it sound like they were laying the ground work to turn down my claim, just my gut feeling I hope Im wrong. I currently have 5 policies and have been with State Farm since 1971. I will post my results as I get them.
My own advice is be professional and polite to Wally World, explain the problem and see if they will make it right. If not consider a good Lawyer. If things are as you stated they will pay you that small amount rather than go to court.
OGC5
#14
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2007
Location: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
Posts: 32,329
Received 1,506 Likes
on
1,014 Posts
No-IL Events Coordinator
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
You guys have me running to get a battery mat!
#16
Team Owner
Wally world will fight to the death about paying a couple bucks.
For the cost of a battery damage amount they will fight it all the way to the Supreme Court. They have dozens of lawyers on retainer, all that amounts to is a little paper work for them to do.
Good luck, I'm on your side, but know Wal-Mart. Best bet is your insurance company
For the cost of a battery damage amount they will fight it all the way to the Supreme Court. They have dozens of lawyers on retainer, all that amounts to is a little paper work for them to do.
Good luck, I'm on your side, but know Wal-Mart. Best bet is your insurance company
#19
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2001
Location: Virginia
Posts: 24,996
Received 1,229 Likes
on
875 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
I would go after the battery manufacturer...its their product and their responsibility for their product. I don't think its WalMarts fault or responsibility since the battery manufacturer offers a warranty on their battery.Good Luck
.02 registered
.02 registered