Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 14:20:25 -0800
Reply-To: scott_s@DISCOUSA.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Sullivan <scott_s@DISCOUSA.COM>
Subject: Re: New Engine / Insurance (off subject/ happy ending)
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Just to let you know about a pleasant surprise I had with an insurance
company.
I found a first year (1966 I think) Porsche 912 with 59k original miles.
We cleaned it up and replaced some of the interior. One month after we got
it someone rearranged the car. Called to the insurance company, they told
me to have it appraised. Took it to a shop etc.
The insurance company sent out an appraiser who looked the car over. In
preparation to haggle I did my research on the cost to replace the car.
The insurance company offered to total the car and pay me 15% more than I
had into the car which was also than a replacement would cost. From the
time of the accident to the time I had a check in my hand was three days.
The insurance company is Progressive insurance. Maybe this type of service
is common, but I was surprised.
Scot
pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET> on 06/22/2001 12:48:32 PM
Please respond to pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc: (bcc: Scott Sullivan/Disco_Corp)
Subject: Re: New Engine / Insurance
Steve and others,
The technique I used to cash out a 1989 Syncro Westie w/18000 on an AVP
motor was to simply do the resale research and explain to the adjuster the
market basis for my claim. Of course they poo poo'd it and made a
ridiculous counter offer. I re-stated my requirements and waited.
Took a while but I got within 10% of my claim, and of course salvage on the
vehicle. ( I kept the car).
You don't have to accept any offer. The case remains open. The adjuster's
performance ranking declines and pretty soon...you get the settlement. In
my case the 10% offset the salvage cost slightly.
Just continue to politely refuse the offer and restate your documented
requirements. It will take time, in my case it took around four months.
My
first statement was that I would like the InsCo to replace the vehicle with
a comparable one, same original color, within 10% of actual mileage and
with
the upgrades. I held to the market value or replacement position.
Kelly BB, and others along with a scammy appraiser service are used to
browbeat you into a lower settlement. Do the research on real sales in
your
location. Yeah, not too many of those but do it anyway. If I recall there
were fewer than 1200 Syncro Westies imported into the US. It qualifies as
a
rare car and should be appraised as such.
cheers,
pensioner