Hey everyone. I'm having trouble getting an insurance claim processed, and I was hoping that anyone here that works as an adjuster or has similar experience would be able to help me out.

I have a 2004 Volvo S40, approx. 80k miles in better than average condition.

The insurance company is Mercury.

I heard some noise from under the car and took it to my mechanic, who is a Volvo specialist. They saw that some type of rope got wrapped around the axle and cracked the power steering rack. The mechanic diagnosed the broken rack as occurring as a result of whatever is wrapped up under the car.

I called the insurance company the same day, and they asked how this happened. I said I didn't know how it happened, and that I don't recall running over anything. They they ask me (in a condescending manner IMO) "Who do you think is a fault here?" Again I said I didn't know b/c I don't think I hit anything, but I that I don't know how else this rope/whatever it is got wrapped up under the car.

They send out an adjuster who looks at the car for less than 5 minutes and claims this is a regular mechanical breakdown - so no coverage. I then spoke with a second adjuster they assigned to the claim who says they are going to send out some type of forensic expert to examine the car (I should add the first adjuster told me it was approved the afternoon before, then I heard from this new guy). Now they are also saying that they have to do some complete review of my driving history and the vehicle's history.

Finally, they want to record this under collision (with a higher deductible and as a accident) than under comprehensive - even though there is nothing to show that this was caused by hitting something. (Just as one example, whatever is under the car could have blown under it while it was parked.)

I think these people are giving me the run around to get me to give up...but I know it should be covered and that I'm not at fault.

Anyone else have any suggestions for this? I'm not a car expert, but my mechanic (who has nothing to gain by lying about the cause of the damage) says it's completely related to the rope, and not normal wear-and-tear like the insurance company is claiming. The last conversation we had involved them claiming there is no rope and that it may have been removed by the auto shop, when in fact the car is in the same condition as when I first brought it in -- the rope is still there.

Any suggestions or guidance is appreciated!