The Dealership Totaled My Car And Are Taking Weeks To Pay Me

Summary

Summary of Podcast Episode: "The Dealership Totaled My Car And Are Taking Weeks To Pay Me"

Episode Release Date: May 2, 2025
Podcast Title: The Ramsey Show Highlights
Host: Ramsey Network
Duration: Under 10 minutes

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1. Introduction to the Caller’s Situation

The episode begins with a listener, referred to as Participant B, reaching out to seek guidance regarding a troubling incident involving their vehicle and a local dealership. The caller explains that their car was recently totaled due to negligence on the part of the dealership, which is now causing significant delays in compensation.

Key Points:

• The caller’s car was taken to the dealership for routine maintenance, specifically an oil change.
• During the service, a lift malfunctioned, causing the car to fall and sustain irreparable damage.
• Thankfully, no one was injured in the accident.

Notable Quote:

Participant B [00:28]: "So took it in for some routine maintenance, oil change, and unfortunately the lift failed and the car fell. No one was injured, thank God, but the car is done for."

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2. Details of the Incident and Vehicle Valuation

Participant B provides further details about the vehicle and expresses concerns about the valuation and the dealership’s response.

Key Points:

• Vehicle Information:
  • Make & Model: 2016 GMC Terrain
  • Mileage: Approximately 70,000 miles
  • Ownership Status: Fully paid off
• Valuation Concern:
  • Kelley Blue Book (KBB) estimates the car's value at $8,000 to $9,000.
  • The caller is apprehensive about re-entering the car market amidst current economic factors like tariffs.

Notable Quotes:

Participant B [00:44]: "So it was a 2016 GMC terrain, fully paid off with about 70,000 miles on it."

Participant B [00:55]: "KBB has it at about 8 to 9k. And another concern is that just buying back into the car market with tariffs and everything."

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3. Host’s Initial Reactions and Clarifications

The host, referred to as Participant A, responds empathetically while clarifying misconceptions about tariffs affecting car prices.

Key Points:

• Expresses surprise and concern over the incident.
• Clarifies that tariffs do not directly impact the pricing of vehicles like a 2016 pickup truck.
• Emphasizes that the dealership should prioritize resolving the compensation swiftly.

Notable Quotes:

Participant A [00:40]: "Wow. And what year model is the car?"

Participant A [01:13]: "Not a 2016 pickup truck. It's not gonna affect at all. I mean, a $10,000 pickup, you're not gonna see a blip at all on that."

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4. Addressing the Delay in Compensation

Participant A advises on the expected timeline for compensation and emphasizes the importance of assertive yet respectful communication with the dealership.

Key Points:

• Expected Timeline: Compensation should typically be processed within a week.
• Action Plan:
  • Apply steady and firm pressure on the dealership to expedite the process.
  • Clearly communicate the urgency and reasonable expectations regarding the payout.
  • Avoid unnecessary delays by keeping interactions professional and focused.

Notable Quotes:

Participant A [01:36]: "That's not an unreasonable request. This insurance, it's a no brainer. This insurance company is going to write the check. They destroyed your car. They have to pay for your car."

Participant A [02:05]: "I want to see my money. ... We're not going to drag this out for two months and get a lawyer."

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5. Navigating Insurance and Legal Considerations

The discussion shifts to handling insurance claims and the potential need for legal action if the dealership continues to delay compensation.

Key Points:

• Insurance Involvement: The dealership is coordinating with their insurance company to process the claim.
• Caller’s Responsibility: Participant B does not need to file anything directly with their own insurance, as they were not at fault or present during the accident.
• Legal Recourse: The host suggests that legal action should be a last resort and emphasizes the importance of resolving the matter amicably.

Notable Quotes:

Participant A [03:28]: "No, I think their insurance should handle everything. I mean, you weren't even on the premises. The car rolled off the lift."

Participant A [03:21]: "... if they can't handle it fast, then I'm going to start to increase my unreasonableness. And that's all it is."

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6. Strategies for Effective Communication with the Dealership

Participant A outlines strategies for effective negotiation and communication to ensure swift compensation.

Key Points:

• Maintain Professionalism: Approach the dealership with a calm and non-confrontational demeanor.
• Assertiveness: Clearly state the necessity for prompt compensation without appearing hostile.
• Leverage Pressure: Indicate the willingness to escalate the matter if reasonable timelines are not met.
• Focus on Resolution: Aim to resolve the issue without complicating it with unnecessary demands or legal threats.

Notable Quotes:

Participant A [02:57]: "I'm not mad. I'm not going to be nasty to you and don't want to have to sue you or something like that."

Participant A [03:36]: "... they are straight up at fault. ... you need to give you full stinking value for the truck."

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7. Conclusion and Final Advice

The episode concludes with Participant A reinforcing the importance of standing firm on rightful compensation and ensuring that the dealership fulfills their obligations promptly.

Key Points:

• Rights as a Consumer: The caller is entitled to the full value of the totaled vehicle without undue delays.
• Negotiation Tactics: Use professional pressure to expedite the compensation process.
• Final Takeaways: Remain assertive yet respectful, prioritize swift resolution, and be prepared to escalate if necessary.

Notable Quotes:

Participant A [03:36]: "You just got a communication with the dealership. ... this is not an excuse for you to upgrade."

Participant A [03:21]: "Create your free every dollar budget today. The simplest way to budget for your life."

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Key Takeaways for Listeners

• Understand Your Rights: Consumers are entitled to timely and full compensation when a dealership is at fault.
• Effective Communication: Maintain professionalism while being assertive to ensure your concerns are addressed promptly.
• Avoid Unnecessary Delays: Insist on reasonable timelines to prevent prolonged disputes.
• Legal Considerations: Consider legal action only if all other avenues fail to yield a satisfactory resolution.

This episode provides valuable insights for individuals facing similar situations with dealerships and highlights the importance of proactive and informed communication to safeguard one’s financial interests.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

So I'm in a bit of an interesting situation. My car was recently totaled by a dealership. They're 100% at fault and I just need some guidance on what to do if there's. If I need to do a lawsuit or insurance. And mainly just buying a new car as well.

[A]

Okay. Good lord. What happened?

[B]

So took it in for some routine maintenance, oil change, and unfortunately the lift failed and the car fell. No one was injured, thank God, but the car is done for.

[A]

Wow. And what year model is the car?

[B]

So it was a 2016 GMC terrain, fully paid off with about 70,000 miles on it.

[A]

All right, cool. So what do you think the car's worth?

[B]

KBB has it at about 8 to 9k. And another concern is that just buying back into the car market with tariffs and everything.

[A]

Tariffs don't affect your cars.

[B]

Indirectly. Could they though?

[A]

No, no, no, no, no, no.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Not a 2016 pickup truck. It's not gonna affect at all. I mean, a $10,000 pickup, you're not gonna see a blip at all on that. But. So I assume the dealerships are ready to write you a check, are they not?

[B]

They're getting their insurance involved first.

[A]

When did this happen?

[B]

About two weeks ago. They currently have me in one of their loaner vehicles.

[A]

Okay, I want a real tight deadline on this because let me tell you, if you get hit by a consumer, just a regular person, and your car gets totaled, you get a check and a week. Okay? It doesn't take two months. All right? And so these guys, they don't need to drag their feet on this. They need to make you a priority. I want my dad gum money quick. Like next 10 days or so, I want to see my money.

[B]

Okay?

[A]

That's not an unreasonable request. This insurance, it's a no brainer. This insurance company is going to write the check. They destroyed your car. They have to pay for your car. It's a no brainer. Write the check. It's only $10,000. It's not 150. And the dealership can write the check, get reimbursed by the mortgage, by the insurance company. It's not that big a deal. So we're not going to drag this out for two months and get a lawyer. You know, here's the value of the car. I need my money quick. And so I'm going to not be a jerk about it, but I'm going to be applying some real steady, heavy pressure and Go. Okay, guys, how fast do you think this is going to happen? Because I'm of the opinion this ought to happen real fast. It's kind of a no brainer. And if they're saying it's going to take a month, no, that's not okay. I need my money this week. It's $10,000. You guys can handle it. You tore up my truck. Pretty simple.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And I'm not mad. I'm not going to be nasty to you and don't want to have to sue you or something like that. But we're not, we're not drag button around on this because you guys think insurance people are a good, good idea. So. And then tell them jack their insurance people up and get the dad gum claim done. It's not that it's really not hard. So to get your money and go get you a truck. It's a simple thing. And this is not an excuse for you to upgrade?

[B]

Nope. Do I need to be filing anything with my insurance in your opinion or you think their insurance should handle everything?

[A]

No, I think their insurance, how to handle it, you're not, you don't have anything to do with your insurance. I mean, you weren't even on the premises. The car rolled off the lift.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

I mean, Darryl and his other brother Darryl didn't put the thing on there. Right. I mean, it's like, you know. Yeah. Wow, that's scary. I'm really glad, I'm glad no one was hurt. You don't have, you don't have a tariff problem and you don't have an insurance problem. You just got a communication with the dealership. And guys, I'm not being nasty, but this, it is unreasonable for this small amount of money to take very long. Y'all just need to knock this out real fast. And if you can't, then I'm going to start to increase my unreasonableness. And that's all it is. And so just, just be nice. And man, if I'm running that dealership, I'm writing you a check so fast in return for a release that I can get you off the property so you don't dream up something and add 25,000 bucks to this or something. Because if I'm, I want rid of you as a potential problem if I'm them. So I'm gonna do everything I can. Be nice and be fair and be quick if I'm in that situation because they are straight up at fault. Straight up at fault now. And you sign the release because you're not trying to get money out of this. You're just trying to get compensated for your truck. And now they knew need to give you full stinking value for the truck. Every dollar it's worth. We're not wholesaling it. We're not going with trade in value. We're going with full value. Create your free every dollar budget today. The simplest way to budget for your life.