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pighamling
Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2007
Posts: 67
Location: Southern NM
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 Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:13 am Post subject: Sad Day |
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An irresponsible driver has caused me to lose my beloved Vanagon. On the bright side, it protected me very well in a highway speed collision. As I deal with the insurance fiasco, I'm thinking I should post a little reminder for some of you. I failed to heed it when it was posted in the past.
As you spend more and more money and time on your vanagon, you really should consider finding a way to insure it for a value that will cover you in the event of a loss. We are a relatively small and obscure group of enthusiasts. Most people (including adjusters) don't look at an 80s (or 90s) vanagon and equate it with the type of value that we seem to think it's worth.
How much would you need to spend to buy a vanagon in the condition yours is in? How much do you think an insurance company would be willing to give you?
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1983.5
Bostig 2.0 Zetec |
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BillWYellowstone
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2011
Posts: 767
Location: Yellowstone NP
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:59 am Post subject: |
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Document, document, document. I restored a 1973 BMW Bavaria and in order to get the proper insurance complete with collision, which they didn't want to write, I submitted the magazine article I wrote on the restore. They wrote the policy. Insurance companies will usually write what you will pay for, but not a pig in a poke, there has to be an inspection, or documentation.
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Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round. |
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Athonwy
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2011
Posts: 36
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:22 am Post subject: |
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Sorry to hear about your van  I'm glad you are unhurt though.
Thank you for the good advice. |
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syncromike
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011
Posts: 660
Location: Boise, ID
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:09 am Post subject: |
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That's horrible about your van. Good reminder on the insurance!
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'91 Syncro w/ Country Homes PopTop |
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Bman
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2005
Posts: 895
Location: South Coast, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:10 am Post subject: Yah, been there, doing that |
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I have State Farm Ins. for my T3s. When my Doka was hit by storm debris earlier this year, I had full coverage for the Doka and a pre-purchase appraisal on record for it's market value. After the storm, and by default of the vehicles age, my claim was sent to the "totals" department to be asssessed for payout. At this point I provided a list of my vehicles purchase price, all known improvements, and a current list of similar vehicles for sale (and their prices from the samba). The Ins. company opted to send another appraiser out to see my vehicle, he assessed it at even a higher price than my first appraisal. After this the insurance company pretty much opted to pay-out my claim based on a body shop estimate.
At each step of the process I was always available to educate the body shop, adjuster, and insurance people to the true value of the Vehicles. I was able to provide parts estimates, pricing and availabilty. So yes, documentation, patience, appraisals, records and persistence will enable you to reap the benefits of your investment.
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~Bryan
1990 Burgandy Tintop (Wife's Daily Driver)
1989 Tiico Westfalia "Taj"
2WD Doka build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=503578&highlight=
FaceHook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VW-T3-DokaSinka/129026087217120?ref=hl |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Sad Day |
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| pighamling wrote: |
As you spend more and more money and time on your vanagon, you really should consider finding a way to insure it for a value that will cover you in the event of a loss. We are a relatively small and obscure group of enthusiasts. Most people (including adjusters) don't look at an 80s (or 90s) vanagon and equate it with the type of value that we seem to think it's worth.
How much would you need to spend to buy a vanagon in the condition yours is in? How much do you think an insurance company would be willing to give you? |
It's not "how much will the insurance company be willing to give you". It really comes down to how much you are willing to accept. They are required by law to pay you the value of your vehicle. They try to wear you down to accept less. As Bman stated, you need to have documentation and/or appraisals. This assumes you are already carrying full coverage though. I had a similar situation when my van was totaled. They sent out an appraiser and I got more than full value for the van in the end. You just have to be adamant about what you are willing to accept.
In every situation I have read about, you need nothing more than standard full coverage and paitence to recuperate the value of the van.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9810
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: Sad Day |
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| PDXWesty wrote: |
| ...In every situation I have read about, you need nothing more than standard full coverage and paitence to recuperate the value of the van. |
Though complete documentation (records of service & upgrades), recent photos (each side, interior, engine -- only takes a minute) and possibly an appraisal may help the dreaded discussion. |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6247
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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The way it was explained to me was that appraisals are only useful at the time of the incident. A two or three year old appraisal no longer indicates present condition or value. It would be a waste of money to have a "just in case" appraisal done. The appraisers are able to make a pre crash assessment after an accident. That's the only time you need an appraisal. Documentation is always beneficial on work done to the van though.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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