Boink. Collision while parked. Insurance questions, kind of.

[Xevin]

I know a very picky ACVW owner that swears by this place.

https://1stclassautobody.org/collision-repair-arlington/

ACVW= Aircooled Volkswagen (OP got it)
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Keep on Busin'

[Hatterasker]

[Hatterasker]

Well, perhaps at a decision point on the Westy.

Repairs are estimated at $12K and change. I see these as the options (if it is not totaled).
1. Just have the insurance deal with it and get it repaired.
2. Take a check.

Has anybody had experience taking the check? If so, two questions:
1. Do I get the full estimate? My adjuster said that I would not get a check for the full estimate. Does that make sense?
2. What happens with the deductible? Is it deducted from the check? If so, do I get it back from the other guys insurance.

Sorry about asking this stuff but this is a life skill that you need but only learn when you need it. Also, I could ask my insurance people, but, well, you know...
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1990 Vanagon Westfalia

[Neil Davies]

I don't know about you guys across the pond, but in the UK we would tend to be paid out the agreed value of the vehicle, minus the excess (your deductible) by your own insurer. The excess should be reimbursed to you when your insurer gets their money back off the person that hit you.
If you have retained salvage rights, which some policies don't have, you will be offered the car back at a cost, usually pretty low, just above scrap value in some cases.
Beware though, your agreed value is what it is worth, not what it would cost to repair. If its valued at 10k, but repair estimates are coming in at 12k, you're still only getting 10k!
As said before though, get the vehicle home as soon as you can. I lost a 1960 Beetle to an insurance company over 20 years ago because I listened to their advice and sent it to their body shop. They sent it to the salvage yard without telling me, and to get it back I had to go to an auction and bid on it! I didn't get it back, still bitter now!
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'67/'68 Cal Look Beetle, 2007cc, 48IDFs, 14.4 @ 93mph, Oct 2017.
'68/'70 Karmann Beetle, wife's project, progressing slowly.
'80 Devon Moonraker, wife's ratty but cool toy.
'86 Scirocco special project - still measuring up...

[4Gears4Tires]

For fixing and not totaled - you should get the $12k that they estimate the damage at. I don't know why you wouldn't get all of this. That said, I can't recall a time when my car wasn't appraised for damage and then after the body shop started they called the adjuster back over to add for additional damage.

For totaled - you will get the $12k if you turn the van over to them. If you keep the van you will get $12k minus the buyback which is usually 10%. So you'd get $10.8k.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[mikemtnbike]

Yeah, I'd have the insurance deal with it and get it repaired since you never know what else is going to found with a wreck like that.

With a fender bender, I might take a check, but something like yours, don't settle the final amount until you have the final product.

Not an expert, just my opinion.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[jimf909]

I had a claim last year and I got a check for $4,500 to pay whoever I wanted to fix it (not a Vanagon).

Having it totaled can lead to a lower resale with the salvage title. Hopefully that wont total it. I was told that if the cost of repair was leas then about 75% of replacement value it wouldn't be totaled.
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- Jim

[Hatterasker]

Wow.

A very clearly stated, "let me know when the time comes to make a decision on whether to repair or take a check," turns into "we were all under the impression that you wanted us to proceed with the repairs."

Caught that in time.
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1990 Vanagon Westfalia

[Hatterasker]

Here's the follow up on my van.

Geico was generally good and responsive. They followed my lead and worked with my mechanic. The one hiccough was in the post above but caught it in time. The payout was $12K. I am pleased with that.

My van is at the rebuild or replace phase. It has a lot going for it. I began planning the rebuild, building the wishlist in GoWesty, VanCafe, etc., looking for what I could buy in Oregon (visit the Dad AND no sales tax), where to do the work, all that stuff. I was getting excited to do it myself.

I started doing the math though. And looked at my calendar, my time value, the weather, the new season, and the cabin fever.

Replace started looking pretty good. I watched Craigslist and other places and had the good luck to find a nice replacement that I could afford owned by a very nice guy who really put a lot of care into it. So I purchased that.

So now, I have the pleasure, though it will be brief, of owning two Westfalias. I am going to sell my old one and along with the claim settlement and that sale price, I feel like I've really landed on my feet (or wheels).

Thank you everybody for giving the two cents. Insurance stuff is that life skill that you need but only learn it when you need it. You all were a great help.
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1990 Vanagon Westfalia

[dobryan]

Glad it worked out for you.

If possible please sell the westy to someone who will fix it and keep it on the road. I hate to see these disappear.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[4Gears4Tires]

It's such a hassle, but I'm happy you will not miss the summer!
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Hatterasker]

[Dampcamper]

You could start by listing it on thesamba.