Latest news with #SherriLuszczynski
CBS News
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Detroit pays residents Blue Book price for vehicles damaged in massive water main break
More than three weeks after a water main break flooded and damaged hundreds of homes in Southwest Detroit, Sherri Luszczynski says she is still dealing with the effects. The flooding left incredible damage after the ice reached several inches inside Luszczynski's family's cars, with some nearly fully underwater. "We lost all six vehicles, as far as I know," she said. "We watched it rise. It got up over my top, my bottom step to the top tire, over the top of the tires of my husband's F-150. Our vehicles filled with water, then they froze," said Luszczynski. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department says it is working with insurance adjusters to check the 89 vehicles that are currently in the claims process. "Five of them have been turned back to the owners and the rest of the vehicles that are at the precinct – we're going to just total them out and pay the owners the Blue Book price," said Gary Brown, Director of the Detroit Board of Water Commissioners. Luszczynski says that isn't enough. "We weren't in the market to buy new vehicles. My truck only had 71,000 miles on it. My husband had somewhere right under 114,000 miles. We planned on driving them for years to come," said Luszczynski. CBS News Detroit reached out for official word, and DWSD says the city plans to pay owners' comprehensive deductibles in auto insurance for repairs or total damage to their vehicles. If they do not have auto insurance, they say they will pay the Kelley Blue Book-determined value for repairs or the Blue Book-determined value for the vehicle if the claims adjuster determines the vehicle is totaled due to the flooding. Luszczynski says because they do have coverage, that would only amount to about $1,500 for all of their cars, well under what they are now saddled with. "We owed nothing on my husband's truck, and I owed just under $21,000 in my truck. I would prefer to be put back the way I was, but that's never going to happen," said Luszczynski. City leaders say they hope to get the claims processed as quickly as possible.
CBS News
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Families deal with damaged vehicles after water main break in Southwest Detroit
The fallout from Monday's flooding caused by a water main break in Southwest Detroit is extending far beyond damage to homes. On Thursday, flyers were left on vehicles that appeared to have been damaged. One family says all six of its vehicles are likely totaled. Sherri Luszczynski says the past few days have been devastating. Her daughter's car was towed on Thursday, and her husband and sons' trucks are expected to be damaged beyond repair. "They towed two of them yesterday, a 2015 F-150 that is definitely a total loss. I had, or have, a 2020 Ranger that the insurance company basically told me that if there is water inside it's probably a loss," Luszczynski told CBS News Detroit. "I have a cousin that is lending me a vehicle so I can get to work tomorrow." In a news conference, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said the city would provide assistance to help residents tow their vehicles and help get them off the streets. Luszczynski says she is grateful that the city is stepping up to offer help, but she is also very hopeful that officials will keep their promises throughout the process. "We just deal and hope the insurance companies cover everything and that the city follows through on what they said and covers what the insurance companies don't," she said.
