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  • Report:  #777839

Complaint Review: Combs Construction Company - Phoenix Arizona

Reported By:
Scott - Surprise, Arizona, USA
Submitted:
Updated:

Combs Construction Company
2801 S. 49th Avenue Phoenix, 85043 Arizona, United States of America
Phone:
602-237-4029
Web:
www.combsaz.com
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On 7/30/2011, at about 3:45pm I was heading north on SR101 in the west side nearing the Bell Road Exit in the outer lane in my just purchased 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 392 Hemi that was only 5 weeks old and had about 1800 miles on it. I was minding my own business traveling about 55-60mph. 

There was very little traffic, when from my left I see a pickup truck coming from the middle area of the road and swerves in front of me. While this would normally not be a problem except this time he had just come from working in the construction area and was dropping all kinds of debris, and wet sand. A large portion o this debris blasted the front of my brand new challenger damaging the following:

   - Hood
   - Windshield
   - HID Headlights
   - Turn Signals
   - Front Grille
   - Front Fascia
   - Fog Lights

The damage chipped the paint in several areas, put chips in the front window, chipped up the hood, chipped and left the surface of the front fascia rough, dinged the HID, Fog, and Turn Signal lights.

All in all the damages were over $6,000!!!!   Because the car was so new, and of limited production I had the car appraised for loss of value by Auto Loss Appraisals a well known source of damage appraisals. They determined that the vehicle with this type of damage and its limited production status would have a loss in value more then $9400.00.

Back to what happened, after the damage occurred I had 2 choices:
 
   - Chase him down, and risk further damage to his vehicle, and potentially create a unfriendly incident.
   -  Get as much detail off the vehicle as I could and follow up with the company and their insurance later.

I knew the DPS would not do anything because the guy would have been long gone by the time they arrived which is typically 45+ minutes, so I opted to get as much info from the vehicle as I could and then reach out to the company and hope they are a stand up type of organization and have a worthwhile insurance company who will take care of the damages created by their inconsiderate driver.

I was able to get from the vehicle the the following:  

    - Type (not make), I referred to it as F250/F350 Service Vehicle
    - Color (White/Off White)
    - Logo on side of truck, with Arizona Flag style and Words "Combs Construction Arizona"
    - Back of truck had some custom type racking/service vehicle type look to it.
    - On the drivers side box/rack area near the cab there was a Blue Welder attached.
    - Center box area was full of unsecured cardboard boxes.
    - License plate was obscured.

The vehicle was this type of Construction Service Truck (keep in mind my best view was from the rear). Like This Picture, and a close up Like This. So as you can see I would have had to guess the brand of truck it was, as the logo I could see as I exited from the freeway to get out of his path of destruction.

The license plate was obscured and I was not able to read it or get close enough without further damaging my vehicle.

The logo on the the side of the vehicle looked like THIS LOGO.

The were contracted to ADOT Project H745601C a $90 MILLION project awarded to Kiewit Construction and Sundt Construction who then subcontracted to Combs Construction for work.

I took pictures of the damages and emailed Combs along with a full description of what occurred, you can see the links below of the sand and debris all over the front of my car.

Damage Pic 1

Damage Pic 2
Damage Pic 3
Damage Pic 4
Damage Pic 5
Damage Pic 6

Damage Pic 7
Damage Pic 8
Damage Pic 9
Damage Pic 10

3 days after the incident I finally heard from his insurance agent - Bowman Insurance, who talked to me about it, and then sent me a denial letter.. without even doing a investigation. I then called them back and talked to their owner who then said that they could not issue a denial from their office as it was never submitted to the carrier.  I informed him that I expected it to be submitted and taken care as quickly as possible as their actions were inexcusable.

A few days goes by, and I get a call from Colette Coxall who I believe is just a claims rep and works for Travelers Insurance. This conversation started out badly, as I could barely get a word in edgewise as she asked me for my statement in the matter... I had to raise my voice to her several times to get my point across.. so I knew right then and their that she had already formed her opinion and was not going to pay the claim....  I continue to have email conversations with her, and as usual when you dealing with a insurance company who entire goal is not NOT PAY claims she tries to twist my words around, and such... treating me like a common criminal during the process.

A few more days go by and I get a call from the adjuster/inspector (Mike Serner) from Travelers who  wanted to come and inspect the car, so he showed up at my house and I was on a conference call with work and could not deal with him, so asked him to come back later in the day and I would have the car in the driveway.... but FIRST I ASKED HIM WHEN HE ARRIVED TO CALL ME SO THAT I COULD MEET HIM OUTSIDE BEFORE HE DID ANYTHING AT ALL. 

This did not occur, he showed up and inadvertently set off the radar sensor on the car, and it alerted me inside that someone was outside messing with my vehicle and was on my property. So I went outside, and he was startled as to say to me "How did you know I was here", so I informed him that the car called me and said someone was to close to the vehicle. He then started to treat me rudely and unprofessionally when I tried to show him the damage pics and estimates from 2 well respected body shops. He would not have any part of it. This was witnessed by a friend of mine who arrived on the scene.

Most likely I am going to file trespassing charges on this character since he came on my property and touch my vehicle when I asked him not to.

As he left I said to him "I will be talking to you later" he replied "No you wont", and then got back in his car as if he was scared of me... and started sucking on his drink or malt.

I mailed a letter to the president of of Travelers Insurance - Jim/James Fishman, complaining about Mike Serner and Colette, to this date I have not heard back from him..he must be scared to answer me. 

A day or two goes by, and then I get a denial letter from Colette Coxall in the mail, immediately I send a email to her advising that this would go well above her, she replies that she forwarded it to management, I never heard from anyone in management.

Since then I have made contact with Travis McArthy who is the project manager for Sundt Construction and he told me that he had a conversation with Steve Combs the owner of Combs Construction.

I wrote several emails and never heard back.. so I started going higher up, and made contact with KieWit Construction Compliance Office, they forwarded it to their attorneys, who until today refused to contact me after I insisted that someone talk to me about this... who informed me that they have officially sent the issue to Combs to deal with (like that will ever happen given how Combs has been about this).

I have also reached out to ADOT Risk Managment during this process and they confirmed that Combs WAS WORKING that day and time, and location of the incident. Additionally I filed a Notice of Claim with the State of Arizona who officially also forwarded it to Kiewit because they agreed to indemnify AZ from all damages and losses, but the contract that Sundt and Combs has with Kiewit indemnifies Kiewith by Combs Insurance.

So its now over 45 days since this all started, and I am no further than I was when it all started, I still have a damaged car, and dealing with unreasonable insurance companies who refuse to do the right thing here and take care of my damages.

Combs has also tried every thing to conceal their vehicle so that I can not go on site and identify the one that did the damage (this does not surprise me one bit)

Its been a freaking nightmare, so I then have made contact with the Governor of Arizona office asking them to set a meeting with me between the following parties as I am ultimatley holding the state at fault since they are the one who hired this companies to do the work.

Why does it have to be so difficult when a normal person is wronged by a company has a great description of the vehicle, an then their two-bit insurance company runs me through hell and back just to make me whole again... this is absolutely crazy and uncalled for....
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9 Updates & Rebuttals

JustSaying

Phoenix ,
Arizona,
USA
Maybe it's too late, but just saying...

#2General Comment

Thu, January 05, 2017

  This was posted years ago but I read everything on here and looked at the photos. My opinion is that you had a brand new car and it got dirty and you became upset. $6,000 in damages is hilarious to say the least! No wonder the insurance agent treated you like a criminal. You sound like you are scamming this company. Rocks and dirt and debris is part of driving in Arizona. We live in a desert. If it hailed and dented your car, who would you be complaining to then? I understand you said it came out of the truck, but you are also driving by a construction area and little things like dirt and sand can happen. If you were driving and I was behind you and a tiny pebble from the ground was kicked up from your car and nicked mine, I would not have treated you the way you have been with all these people. If you don't want your new car to get dirty then don't take it on the road or at least avoid the freeway and streets that are under construction. It's no one else's fault but yours. $6,000? I'm till in shock and actually saddened that you can justify trying to make someone pay that much for some mud on your car. Your photos don't show anything because there isn't anything to show. Especially trying to say that it's $6,000 worth. I can't wrap my head around this. I know how it feels to have a brand new car and see the first little imperfections. It's upsetting when your new car is no longer new because it gets dirty, but come on man, $6,000? Really? Combs Construction Company, inc. is not some huge corporate company that you can get a rich from. They are hard working people that are running a business that they put their whole life into. How can someone put a company like that on blast and try to hurt their reputation? Do you have any idea how much you could have hurt someone's life and everything they have worked for because you seem to be having a tantrum over mud? I personally feel that there was other issues in your life causing you stress and you took it out on this innocent company. And the fact that you were trying to take it to the governor is strange to me. Explaining this to the governor that a couple tiny chips and mud isn't embarrassing to you? You are wasting his time crying about your car. Just go wash it and it'll be brand new again. If you are holding a friends baby and the baby spits up on your new shirt, would you make the parents pay $1,000 in damages or for the dry cleaners for your shirt that you bought at Target? I think I know the answer to that question. Life is too short to put so much energy into material things. Instead go spend time in a soup kitchen, donate to help starving children or abused animals. Spend time on your anger issues and learn that it's not worth all this. And you are connected to this forever now because of posting it on the internet. That might not be a good thing for you in the future. If we all put the same kind of energy into saving the world as we do with crying about our possessions not being 1000% perfect, imagine how happy our world could be. Just Saying


Scott

Surprise,
Arizona,
USA
Issue Resolved.

#3Author of original report

Sat, November 19, 2011

We have resolved our dispute, and came to a satisfactory common ground. The terms of the settlement are confidential.


Scott

Surprise,
Arizona,
USA
You make some good points.

#4Author of original report

Sun, September 25, 2011

With the pictures it is not possible to see the extent of the damage you are claiming.  It looks like the damage is limited to "mud splatters" on various parts of the car.  There does not look like there is any actual body damage.   So it is hard to see how you get to over $6,000 in damages on what look like nothing more than a good car wash and detail could fix.  Then to claim an additional $9,400 in loss of value, for a total of over 15K in damages seems a bit excessive.

But if you have more than one estimate, and they all show the same thing then with all of time you are spending doing all of this research trying to get the insurance to pay, why don't you just sue everyone involved and let the court figure out the responsiblity?  I am sure if you have as solid as a case as you think you do you will have no problem finding an attorney to take your case and just add their fees to your claim.

You make some good points, as mentioned above I tried to get good pics of it, but if you take your hand over the paint you can feel the "sandiness" in it, where  it used to be glass smooth.  The color of the car is the "Toxic Orange"  which costs about $200-250 a pint to make as the original paint is no longer available sense the plant in Japan was destroyed by the Tsunamis.

The damages about about $6400, and the loss in value is $9400. I had two independent well respected body shops reviewed and estimated the work, found the damages, and reported on it. The loss in value was done by another licensed professional appraisal company.  They found that since there are so few of these cars made with this color (about 200 or so) and with the repairs it will show up on the VIN if I goto sell it ever I have to disclose it, so the loss in value is legit, as is the damages.

The offending insurance company and I started off on the wrong foot, I came to their client professionally and report it to them professionally, and both have done nothing by hide, conceal, and try to get off scott free.


While I do understand you are upset about your truck.  It seems as if you are going off on various tangents.  After all do you really expect the Governor of Arizona to arrange a meeting between you and the other company?  Do you really expect the police to go to the adjusters house and haul him off to court on your statement a few days after he stepped on your property against your wishes?

Yes, I am upset. I started out very professional, up front, and reported everything from them. They started giving me grief from the get go, not once have they treated me with any respect. 


Scott

Surprise,
Arizona,
USA
Damages and Loss Value are Real.

#5Author of original report

Sun, September 25, 2011

I don't doubt that you might have some actual damage to your car, but the pictures you posted seem to indicate sand that probably can be removed by a good professional detailer-doesn't appear to be anywhere near $9000 in damages.  You might try taking close-up pictures of the actual "dings" that will require repainting, rather than buffing.
 
You make some good points, I tried to get good pics of it, but if you take your hand over the paint you can feel the "roughness" in it, where it used to be glass smooth.  The color of the car is the "Toxic Orange" which costs about $200-250 a pint to make as the original paint is no longer available sense the plant in Japan was destroyed by the Tsunamis.

The damages about about $6400, and the loss in value is $9400. Two independent well respected body shops in the area reviewed and estimated the work, found the damages, and reported on it. They actually both found things that I did not see.  The loss in value was done by another licensed professional appraisal company.  They found that since there are so few of these cars made with this color (about 200 or so) and with the repairs it will show up on the VIN if I go to sell it ever I have to disclose it, so the loss in value is legit, as are the damages.


I don't see any tresspassing here.  The only thing is that the adjuster did not TELEPHONE you to tell you he was inspecting your car.  You call them and they send an adjuster (twice) to inspect the car-hardly a case of criminal tresspass.

Actually in AZ, the law states:

13-1504. Criminal trespass in the first degree; classification
A. A person commits criminal trespass in the first degree by knowingly:

3. Entering any residential yard and, without lawful authority, looking into the residential structure thereon in reckless disregard of infringing on the inhabitant's right of privacy.

B. Criminal trespass in the first degree under subsection A, paragraph 1, 5 or 6 is a class 6 felony. Criminal trespass in the first degree under subsection A, paragraph 2, 3 or 4 is a class 1 misdemeanor.

13-1502. Criminal trespass in the third degree; classification

A. A person commits criminal trespass in the third degree by:

1. Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully on any real property after a reasonable request to leave by the owner or any other person having lawful control over such property, or reasonable notice prohibiting entry.

When I spoke with the officer he agreed that I did my duty by asking him to not enter my property, and that he violated the law.  AZ has very strict property laws. 


Robert

Irvine,
California,
U.S.A.
Damage

#6Consumer Comment

Wed, September 21, 2011

With the pictures it is not possible to see the extent of the damage you are claiming.  It looks like the damage is limited to "mud splatters" on various parts of the car.  There does not look like there is any actual body damage.   So it is hard to see how you get to over $6,000 in damages on what look like nothing more than a good car wash and detail could fix.  Then to claim an additional $9,400 in loss of value, for a total of over 15K in damages seems a bit excessive.

But if you have more than one estimate, and they all show the same thing then with all of time you are spending doing all of this research trying to get the insurance to pay, why don't you just sue everyone involved and let the court figure out the responsiblity?  I am sure if you have as solid as a case as you think you do you will have no problem finding an attorney to take your case and just add their fees to your claim.

While I do understand you are upset about your truck.  It seems as if you are going off on various tangents.  After all do you really expect the Governor of Arizona to arrange a meeting between you and the other company?  Do you really expect the police to go to the adjusters house and haul him off to court on your statement a few days after he stepped on your property against your wishes?




Robert

Buffalo,
New York,
USA
Hard to tell by the pictures.

#7Consumer Comment

Wed, September 21, 2011

I don't doubt that you might have some actual damage to your car, but the pictures you posted seem to indicate sand that probably can be removed by a good professional detailer-doesn't appear to be anywhere near $9000 in damages.  You might try taking close-up pictures of the actual "dings" that will require repainting, rather than buffing.

I advised him that I would be calling in a criminal complaint to the police and he seemed to not care.. obviously he does not care what happens to Mr. Serna...so I did just that.

I don't see any tresspassing here.  The only thing is that the adjuster did not TELEPHONE you to tell you he was inspecting your car.  You call them and they send an adjuster (twice) to inspect the car-hardly a case of criminal tresspass.

The officer was not sure if the complaint would result in James Serna having to goto court or not, but said that was something that I need not be concerned with as its now a police matter.

I'll venture a guess that the DA will choose NOT to prosecute tresspassing.  You, in a sense, invited the adjuster to come inspect the vehicle.  Failing to telephone you when he arrived hardly constitutes a tresspass.  He's there at your invitation to inspect the vehicle damage as part of processing the claim you filed.

Oh yes you should be concerned!  IF the DA prosecutes, as you seem to wish, YOU will have to testify in court!  Further, if you made any false statements to the police when you made the complaint you can expect a CIVIL COMPLAINT to be filed against you by the adjuster-under the circumstances you described here, if I were the adjuster and I got ARRESTED for TRESSPASS because of your complaint to the police, I would file a civil suit against you and possibly ask for some sanctions against you for false arrest.

You don't seem to be handling this very well on your own.  I suggest you retain an attorney to persue this matter for you.

Good luck, you're going to need it.  Oh, and I'ld get the car detailed by a professional and then document any damage that is revealed.


Scott

Surprise,
Arizona,
USA
Travelers Insurance Refuses to Admit Wrong Doing, and supports their employee Trespassing on Private Property??? WTF?

#8Author of original report

Wed, September 21, 2011

After calling Travelers Insurance corporate office on Monday to discuss with them about how JAMES SERNA an adjuster trespassed on my property during this incident against my own wishes.

I get a call back today from the Mark McCanna of the Regional Claims Office, explain to him the seriousness of the matter and how his employee violated rights to privacy and trespassed on to my property against my request.

I advised him that they could end this today by taking care of the claim, and taking corrective action on Mr Serna.

He outright refused to do either, just said that we looked at it internally and that is as far as its going, and they would not change their decision, even after this, and how Combs Construction is concealing evidence and Travelers is supporting them concealing evidence.

I advised him that I would be calling in a criminal complaint to the police and he seemed to not care.. obviously he does not care what happens to Mr. Serna...so I did just that.

Moments after hanging up, I made a call to Surprise Police, and they sent an officer to my house to take my statement, he then filed a report with Mr Serna and Mr McCanna's name and phone number in it, and was going to call each of them and most likely mail them official correspondence that Mr Serna now has a complaint filed against him, and if he ever sets foot on this property again he would be immediately be arrested.

The officer was not sure if the complaint would result in James Serna having to goto court or not, but said that was something that I need not be concerned with as its now a police matter.

Sucks to me Mr Serna... and Mr McCanna... you could have avoid this had you just done the right thing in this matter.  When I meet with the staff of ADOT, the Governor Brewer staff, and other state officials this will be getting brought up about how you have mishandled this situation....but apparently this is SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for Travelers Insurance. 

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Scott

Surprise,
Arizona,
USA
Using Photoshop, and stock images, this is a "example" of what the truck looks like.

#9Author of original report

Sat, September 17, 2011

Because it seems that Travelers keeps missing the point of the vehicle that I am describing that did the damages, I decided to use some stock images and create a "picture" of the Combs Construction vehicle that did the damages that Combs in concealing.

When I am accompanied by the law enforcement  I will be taking a printout of this image with me so that I can use it to locate the truck. 

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Scott

Surprise,
Arizona,
USA
More Pictures of the Damages

#10Author of original report

Sat, September 17, 2011

Here are some more pictures that I ran out of room on the original report. 

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