I just got through with the same exercise with my totaled '85. You can find comparable vehicles on Autotrader.com and in your local paper. Find ALL the receipts for all the work, parts, accessories, etc. for your Westy. This made a very big difference in my case. (Only had 6500 miles on the engine, new tires, etc.) This is important: ASK TO SEE THE BASIS FOR THEIR APPRAISAL!!! In my case, they were getting their information from a national appraisal service and all their sales data was based on Vanagons but NOT Westfalias!! They were trying to make an adjustment for a stove and refrig. When I pointed this out to the adjuster, they agreed to go back and review the whole thing. Two days later they called with an offer that I jumped at, above what I had figured I would have to settle for. BTW, find out what the 'salvage value' is on your Westy. Would you believe I bought mine back from the insurance company for $407.00 ? This gives you the opportunity to part it out for more than you paid them for it (depending on how bad it was 'totaled'). |
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