Unfortunately for me, my 2009 AM DB9 volante with 34k miles got caught flooded in the storm in NYC this past week. I’m hoping insurance company will give me the right ACV because it’s nearly impossible to find a replacement in this market at any logical price. Any advice here? I’m hoping for 65-70k in coverage but expecting a fight.

I’m going to need to find a replacement and am done with 911s after driving those for ten years. I’m thinking of going Ferrari California. Thoughts?

 

Sorry about your Aston. Glad your ok! If you have an "Agreed upon Value" policy it will be helpful. If you don't, your going to need to fight to get that number. Ins companies always need some persuasion. Good luck!

 

Sad to read of what happened. Keep us posted.

I love the Ferrari California. A friend has one that I have driven several times. Engine sounds sweets, shifts are really fun and fast. Brakes are as good as a car gets.

I think the steering is nicer on the Aston. Stereo isn't so great on the California. Make sure the headlights don't have any loose pieces inside. Very common on that car.

 

Thanks for the advice on the California. I don’t have agreed value. I have comprehensive coverage which provides for ‘Actual Cash Value’ and the mystery is how they arrive at that value. Will fight for sure.

The disappointing part is that there are so few DB9s in the marketplace these days and it truly is a great car. It’s a real classy daily exotic that is an experience every time you sit it in. The DB11 doesn’t seem to look as special to me and that’s why I am left thinking that the California may fit or exceed the bill.

 

My friend's Cali just hit 50K miles and has been way more reliable than some others with barely any miles. You couldn't tell his car had 10K looking at the interior. Really mint inside. Another thing to look out for (on any of these kind of cars) is the leather on dash for shrinking and the floor mats. Ferrari uses cheap plastic anchors to secure the mats and replacing those anchors can be a job.

 

In this instance you will have to do all the legwork. Find as many comp listings and completed auction sales for your year and model in like condition/mileage, as well as 1yr newer ,as possible.

Anecdotally , I had a 2004 Volvo V70R 6MT w/ the Atacama interior totaled from an accident about 8yrs ago. They offered $6k as settlement. After I explained what the car was to the adjuster and provided all available comps nation-wide for that car with a manual, I settled at $15k. Be polite but firm, and if they try to low-ball you, say that you want to hire an independent appraiser. They usually give a higher estimate and insurance companies know this.

 

Quick market prices will be from some of the known auction sites as mentioned above. Although so few and Volante might make more unique but worth a try. Have records of recent work done available, tires replaced, anything substantial and within last 6 months to provide to adjuster.

Sad to hear about this by the way and I know the battle with a lesser car and totaling out.

I am not a fan of the California much and actually think it would be quite a step down from the DB9 in fact. It is too much of a Maserati GT reskinned to me, however I do like the Maserati styling much more, though in the coupe.

 

Lotus Emira may tickle your fancy. Good luck on the claim and sorry for your loss.

 

Thanks guys. I see what you are saying about the California looking like a re-skinned Maserati. I’m hoping the excitement factor of a Ferrari in the driveway will be unique for a while. Lotus is cool but beleive it or not I really need a backseat. Even such a tiny one because I do squeeze some kids there more often than not for short pickups around town. My options are really only the 911c a Bentley gt, AM or California…not sure what other real sport car options are out there for me.

 

Would not say the Bentley is a "sports car" but has usable back seats for shorter trips. I have been a fan of the GT since it came out and still look to have one.

Have not tried a Maserati GT rear seat to compare to DB9 (which I can't even fit in my own coupe). Your choices will be a compromise, BMW would have something usable in the back seat but I can't look past anything after 2003 in that make.

If you could swing a newer DB9 and want to stay with Volante, you'll probably be glad you did. Otherwise a large coupe is next to consider.

 

I'm going thru the same deal, just got a call from the total dept. of State Farm telling me it's totaled and they'd send everything by email. All they sent was the repair estimate that was done by pictures and I can tell there are $8000 in parts not needed. When I called back to ask questions they have no salvage value and don't know what it is, and were estimating my value around $54k. The storm stopped me from taking the car over to have the bumper removed so they can do an accurate estimate and I'll have to get a private appraisal done to get the numbers worked out so the car gets fixed.

Sorry about your DB9, lots of good cars got wasted from Ida. The tornado that hit us was 2 miles away.

 

Nooooo, that's a one of one example hopefully it can still be revived.

 

I am afraid this is just the beginning of a terrible problem with not just Aston Martins but any car. The salvage yards will be place to get some very nice high end cars.
I feel sorry for all the people who lost their car to the flooding around the country. Who knows how the insurance companies will react given there are thousands of cars totaled not to mention homes.

 

The sad fact is that so few people are insured for flood, and floods are now in areas that have never flooded before and are never expected. Insurance companies will deny all claims for flood damage where none was specifically paid for, they'll redraw new flood zone maps and raise the rates for flood insurance in those areas for anybody that will actually pay it, and go on about their business. IDA was much less costly than Andrew or Katrina or Sandy, and there will be a more devastating one to come this year. They're only getting worse and more frequent.

I said for a decade NJ was in a new tornado alley and everybody would scoff at me. There have been 7 touchdown so far this year. They no longer scoff.

 

My 2018 Maserati Ghibli 2 was totaled in November. It only took 4 months for me to work out a fair settlement. Had my attorney send them a quick letter as well. That may have helped. Ended up getting about $4K more than I paid for it (bought it used in 2020). Also, since it took so long I also asked for loss of use. I didn't get a rental since I have other cars, but apparently that is not required although the Insurance Co tried to tell me I need to submit receipts. I started at $50/day and settled for $25/day just to be done. Insurance companies suck.

Good luck dealing with them, and I also love the California!