My FFH Burned in Mulch Fire

[Spiffster]

OK, so last week my FFH got roasted along with 5 other vehicles in a fire started when someone threw their cigarette into some mulch next to where my car was parked. Take a look at the attached picture. My insurance company is still working on the claim a week later because they still need to determine whether its a total loss or not. Like anyone in this situation I dont want to get screwed, and certainly DONT want this car back. It really sucks because we babied this car, and had absolutely no problems with it, loved it. The car was a year and 3 months old and had just over 15k miles on it, it was in PERFECT condition. Fully loaded, NADA says its worth 29,225 (clean retail) w/ 15k miles.

 

I can only assume that the batteries are completely toasted... at the very least they have been subjected to extreme heat.

 

I need to arm myself with as much information as possible so I can be prepared if the insurance company decides the car is fixable / assumes I am a sucker. So any advice / experience is appreciated. Thanks!

[Craig.]

That'll buff out.

[rfruth]

Did it get so hot the back glass blew out, did the gas tank catch, what does Fo.Mo.Co. say ? (they might buy it back as is so they can study it, you might end up on the cover of the Ford magazine) !

Edited May 17, 2011 by rfruth

[Spiffster]

Did it get so hot the back glass blew out, did the gas tank catch, what does Fo.Mo.Co. say ? (they might buy it back as is so they can study it, you might end up on the cover of the Ford magazine) !

 

Yes, the back window blew out from the heat / pressure inside the car. Some cars got it a lot worse but NO gas tanks exploded... Doubt Ford would have any interest in a burnt car but hell, if they send me a replacement they can have it . I have no desire to be on the front of a magazine, just dont want my insurance company to screw me over.

[drolds1]

That'll buff out.

 

That's original. I'm sure Spiffster thinks it's real funny too.

Edited May 18, 2011 by drolds1

[drolds1]

OK, so last week my FFH got roasted along with 5 other vehicles in a fire started when someone threw their cigarette into some mulch next to where my car was parked. Take a look at the attached picture. My insurance company is still working on the claim a week later because they still need to determine whether its a total loss or not. Like anyone in this situation I dont want to get screwed, and certainly DONT want this car back. It really sucks because we babied this car, and had absolutely no problems with it, loved it. The car was a year and 3 months old and had just over 15k miles on it, it was in PERFECT condition. Fully loaded, NADA says its worth 29,225 (clean retail) w/ 15k miles.

 

I can only assume that the batteries are completely toasted... at the very least they have been subjected to extreme heat.

 

I need to arm myself with as much information as possible so I can be prepared if the insurance company decides the car is fixable / assumes I am a sucker. So any advice / experience is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Sorry to hear this. I can't possibly see this as being repairable. Keep us posted.

[rfruth]

As we all know if the insurance co. doesn't declare it a total loss they will say it will be as good as new, not only would I be concerned that the HVB was severely overheated but partial melting of wiring harness, rubber seals now deformed etc... ya might get lucky & Ford will do an even exchange if you'll pose with the old one and tell your story in the magazine - just a wild guess.

[Craig.]

That's original. I'm sure Spiffster thinks it's real funny too.

 

Lighten up, Francis.

[JimFFH]

How's the engine bay? If the engine bay is unharmed, I'd guess they'll try to save it. A lot of the car cost is under the hood.

[lolder]

That'll buff out.

It was funny ! If I was Spifster, I'd print it out and show it to his friends with the car picture. We try to be helpful here.

Seriously, Ford has come a long way in safeguarding fuel tanks since the Pinto days.

Edited May 18, 2011 by lolder

[drolds1]

Lighten up, Francis.

 

Grow up, Francis.

 

I guess you don't frequent too many automotive forums. Every time something like this comes up you can be sure that hackneyed phrase will appear for the 10 thousandth time. It's like "Government Motors." It was funny the first time.

[Spiffster]

How's the engine bay? If the engine bay is unharmed, I'd guess they'll try to save it. A lot of the car cost is under the hood.

 

This is exactly what I am worried about. The engine bay was not damaged as far as i know. As rfruth had mentioned, the car will never be the same, period. The insurance company will go the least expensive route, cant blame them. Most people just want to get back on the road but never think about the long term repercussions of owning a vehicle that has FIRE DAMAGE on its title. I am not one of those people... if they want to repair the car, that's fine with me as long as they cut me a check to account for the massive depreciation in resale value. That would be the only way to get me (sort of) back to where I was before my car got roasted. That or just total the car so I can buy another one without fire damage on the title... which right now is near impossible, new or used.

 

BTW I have a sense of humor, I just wasnt all that thrilled to find "That'll buff out." as the first response to my post... Didnt really help me much, but I can see the humor in it.

Edited May 18, 2011 by Spiffster

[Craig.]

Grow up, Francis.

 

I guess you don't frequent too many automotive forums. Every time something like this comes up you can be sure that hackneyed phrase will appear for the 10 thousandth time. It's like "Government Motors." It was funny the first time.

 

I'm on about 4 different auto forums and have been for the last 14 years. 23k posts on one, 18k on another. Do I qualify now? lol

 

To the OP, no offense meant. I'm a natural born smart ass. It's what I do.

[leebo]

I have a hard time seeing the company not totaling the car. The ENTIRE car will have to be repainted, as well as several different body panels replaced. I'm sure there's water/smoke damage inside the car from the fire, as well as the previous member stated the various body seals and the such.

 

No matter what happens, don't accept the car from the company unless you're 100% happy with the car. Keep pointing out EVERY problem to the company no matter how little it may seem. It wasn't your fault, and that's why you pay insurance on it. Let them deal with the problem. It maybe even in your best interest to let them buy the car from you and go out and find a Fusion that you like. Let them deal with re-selling the car.......but I'd guess it will end up at a totaled auction.

[jcg1005]

As someone who has been in the fire investigation field for over 20 years, that car SHOULD be totalled. If it isn't, you need to raise holy hell AND find a different insurance company.

 

Because it is a hybrid, they have NO WAY to know what damage was done to the electrical system of the car. The fire obviously impinged on the entire trunk and the high voltage battery in addition to the interior damage.

 

As that damage happened to the battery, it is anyone's guess what kind of voltage spikes and other anomalies happened within the systems of the car.

 

IMHO, you need to be very aggressive with your insurance company in making those points known to them. They are fools to spend a bunch on money to get it fixed cosmetically and then try to fire it up and have nothing work properly because it took voltage spikes, etc.

 

Did they find out who is responsible for the fire? Too bad if they didn't. Then the insurance company could go after them for their losses and maybe they'd be kind to you.

[Spiffster]

I have a hard time seeing the company not totaling the car. The ENTIRE car will have to be repainted, as well as several different body panels replaced. I'm sure there's water/smoke damage inside the car from the fire, as well as the previous member stated the various body seals and the such.

 

No matter what happens, don't accept the car from the company unless you're 100% happy with the car. Keep pointing out EVERY problem to the company no matter how little it may seem. It wasn't your fault, and that's why you pay insurance on it. Let them deal with the problem. It maybe even in your best interest to let them buy the car from you and go out and find a Fusion that you like. Let them deal with re-selling the car.......but I'd guess it will end up at a totaled auction.

 

 

As someone who has been in the fire investigation field for over 20 years, that car SHOULD be totalled. If it isn't, you need to raise holy hell AND find a different insurance company.

 

Because it is a hybrid, they have NO WAY to know what damage was done to the electrical system of the car. The fire obviously impinged on the entire trunk and the high voltage battery in addition to the interior damage.

 

As that damage happened to the battery, it is anyone's guess what kind of voltage spikes and other anomalies happened within the systems of the car.

 

IMHO, you need to be very aggressive with your insurance company in making those points known to them. They are fools to spend a bunch on money to get it fixed cosmetically and then try to fire it up and have nothing work properly because it took voltage spikes, etc.

 

Did they find out who is responsible for the fire? Too bad if they didn't. Then the insurance company could go after them for their losses and maybe they'd be kind to you.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I do appreciate it. This is the information I was looking for to help with the claim.

 

When I first saw the damage I thought there was no way the insurance company would not total the car out. All I thought I had to worry about was whether or not I would get the full book value. I talked to my buddy that owns a body shop and he said the car should ABSOLUTELY be totaled. Now, being more than a week later I am kinda wondering what is taking the adjuster so long to get back to me, it really has me worried as I thought it was going to be a fairly cut and dry case. If they do chose to repair the car I am certainly going to "raise holy hell".

 

Another concern is that I had purchased an extended warranty from Ford, and Im sure I wont get that money back from the insurance company, but I am wondering if Ford will allow me to transfer that warranty to another new Fusion considering that the factory warranty was still far from expired.

[drolds1]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I do appreciate it. This is the information I was looking for to help with the claim.

 

When I first saw the damage I thought there was no way the insurance company would not total the car out. All I thought I had to worry about was whether or not I would get the full book value. I talked to my buddy that owns a body shop and he said the car should ABSOLUTELY be totaled. Now, being more than a week later I am kinda wondering what is taking the adjuster so long to get back to me, it really has me worried as I thought it was going to be a fairly cut and dry case. If they do chose to repair the car I am certainly going to "raise holy hell".

 

Another concern is that I had purchased an extended warranty from Ford, and Im sure I wont get that money back from the insurance company, but I am wondering if Ford will allow me to transfer that warranty to another new Fusion considering that the factory warranty was still far from expired.

 

You can cancel a Ford ESP warranty at any time. From the Ford ESP website:

Q: Can I cancel my Ford ESP?

 

A: Yes. All Ford ESP contracts can be canceled for a full refund within 30 days (if you have not used any aspect of the plan). Beyond 60 days, you will receive a pro-rated refund from Ford Motor Company. To cancel a Ford ESP simply call us toll free at 1-877-339-1978.

 

I don't think they'll let you transfer it from one car to another but it can't hurt to ask.

 

Do you know whether or not the adjuster has seen the car yet? That might account for the delay. My daughter got T-boned by someone who blew through a stop sign. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt, but it took the insurance co. quite some time before they finally decided it was totaled. Your case seems much more clear-cut, though.

[Spiffster]

You can cancel a Ford ESP warranty at any time. From the Ford ESP website:

 

 

I don't think they'll let you transfer it from one car to another but it can't hurt to ask.

 

Do you know whether or not the adjuster has seen the car yet? That might account for the delay. My daughter got T-boned by someone who blew through a stop sign. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt, but it took the insurance co. quite some time before they finally decided it was totaled. Your case seems much more clear-cut, though.

 

Thanks for the info on the ESP, that is awesome!

 

The claim process was started last Tuesday 5/10 and I was told that the adjuster looked at the car the next day so who knows what the hold up is...

 

Oh, and to answer this question: "Did they find out who is responsible for the fire? Too bad if they didn't. Then the insurance company could go after them for their losses and maybe they'd be kind to you." As far as I know they have no idea who started the fire. I imagine it was one of the people that were parked there though, probably got out of the car and threw the cigarette into the mulch... the firefighters assumed that is what started the fire (what they told me) but they had a fire investigator that was supposed to determine exactly what happened. I have not heard anything else... and no I dont smoke, if i did i would like to think i would have enough brains not to throw a lit cigarette just anywhere.

Edited May 19, 2011 by Spiffster

[Buster1]

If you get a check back for the value of the car (hopefully full reimbursement)...will you buy another FFH? :shades:

[Spiffster]

If you get a check back for the value of the car (hopefully full reimbursement)...will you buy another FFH? :shades:

 

Very likely, my wife and I took a look at the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and while the car is very nice looking (besides the extremely ugly wheels) I didnt like it as much as the Fusion overall, and 90% of our driving is in the city so the Fusion makes much more sense to us. Currently they are trying to sell the BASE HSH for the same price I can get a fully loaded FFH for. They even had the audacity to tell me the HSH is in "every way" a superior car to the FFH... hilarious...

 

I say "Very likely" because we may wait until a price is announced for the Ford Focus electric before we buy another FFH.

[Warrior 6]

Sorry for your loss. Hang in there.

[rfruth]

The Kelley Blue Book value of a 2010 in excellent condition with low miles is 30.x K (suggested retail value) kbb link but can you get one for that ? (I don't blame the insurance companies, they have the put a dollar figure on the loss but how realistic is it) ?

Edited May 21, 2011 by rfruth

[Spiffster]

Sorry for your loss. Hang in there.

 

Thanks Warrior 6.

 

The Kelley Blue Book value of a 2010 in excellent condition with low miles is 30.7 K (suggested retail value) kbb link but can you get one for that ? (I don't blame the insurance companies, they have the put a dollar figure on the loss but how realistic is it) ?

 

I cant find a single fully loaded, used FFH for sale here let alone a silver one. The dealer we bought ours from is sold out of the FFH. I hear other dealers are selling them for full MSRP or MORE. We bought ours at almost 3k below MSRP a year and a half ago but now I think we are SOL. Kinda pissed our insurance company is taking so long to give us an answer, but what can we do... amazing how well this car holds it's value isnt it!

[drolds1]

The Kelley Blue Book value of a 2010 in excellent condition with low miles is 30.x K (suggested retail value) kbb link but can you get one for that ? (I don't blame the insurance companies, they have the put a dollar figure on the loss but how realistic is it) ?

 

 

When my daughter's car was declared totaled, she called me to let me know what they offered her. The insurance co. said that if she objected to the offer she could submit documentation to support a counteroffer. I sent her links to KBB, Edmunds and NADA. They replied that they don't consider KBB or Edmunds valid sources but that they did consider NADA a valid source. Since the NADA value was almost $1G higher than their first offer, they matched NADA immediately, no questions asked. Makes you wonder how they came up with the original amount in the first place. I guess they automatically try to lowball you.

 

YMMV.

[DaveM]

When my daughter's car was declared totaled, she called me to let me know what they offered her. The insurance co. said that if she objected to the offer she could submit documentation to support a counteroffer. I sent her links to KBB, Edmunds and NADA. They replied that they don't consider KBB or Edmunds valid sources but that they did consider NADA a valid source. Since the NADA value was almost $1G higher than their first offer, they matched NADA immediately, no questions asked. Makes you wonder how they came up with the original amount in the first place. I guess they automatically try to lowball you.

 

YMMV.

 

Now I had the opposite experience with Auto Owners. When my HHR was totaled out I got on line and got quotes from the 3 biggies online, Kelly, Edmunds and NADA. My insurance came in $900 higher than the best quote from those others. It sure surprised me as I was ready to do battle.