Date:         Wed, 23 Jan 2002 09:56:38 -0800
Reply-To:     Al Knoll <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Al Knoll <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Value of "totalled" camper
In-Reply-To:  <0GQD00GQ9IKN54@mta3.snfc21.pbi.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hi Paul and westyman,

Here's what we did.

Research the local sales, not asking prices, sales.  Both private and
commercial.  At least four.

Make a detailed list of the upgrades you made with ~prices.

Using good judgement, figure what the real market price is with the sales
data and the upgrades.

Make the Ins Co an offer to...settle for cash amount noted above AND the
salvage title.

This means you should research the salvage value through various recyclers
in your quarter of the US. NE/SE/SW/NW.

Sit tight.  They'll refuse.  Don't answer the first response.  Politely
repeat your "demand" in the second response.  Sit tight.  Don't answer any
more responses.

Bimeby, you rise to the annoyance level of the adjuster's supervisor.
Ruby's case was open for four months and the adjuster "no longer works
here".

If your numbers were correct they'll whine a bit but they will settle at a
more reasonable number.

Oh,yes, provide them with your research data in full detail at the first
response.  Be sure of the data to the best of your ability.

Best of luck,

Pensioner (settled for $15.5K for a 150Kmi 1989 Syncro Westie in 1998
including the salvage)