Date:         Sun, 14 Sep 2003 06:33:35 -0500
Reply-To:     Owen <olists@THEBRANDS.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Owen <olists@THEBRANDS.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Totaled camper van
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I know this insurance thread has been covered more than once but I have
stand with Brodbeck on this one. He succinctly stated the case for self
insurance whenever possible. Self reliance is key. The max value for my 84
is probably 6k. Full coverage so I can hope to get most of that in the
unlikely event that I completely total the van? Then pay an even higher
premium? No thanks. Self insured in this area isn't such a stretch.

Too expensive to repair is dependent upon the damage and who can fix it. If
I were entirely dependent upon a mechanic and a body shop it might change my
tune some, but not much. How many "totaled" vans are bought by able bodied
list members at auction and turned into perfectly good vans?

I prefer to maintain my RAIC (redundant array of inexpensive cars) myself as
much as possible. The RAIC consists of a few cars that we enjoy driving and
I enjoy working on. If one car is taken out of service (planned or unplanned
maintenance, squire) I am not stuck with a rental and the pressure to change
my schedule to hurry up and fix it.

I carry the same policy on all of them. State required liability with a bit
more coverage to repair the other person's car, hospitalization for the
other person, and 250k in umbrella liability to hedge our lawsuit crazy
times. <rant="on"> The 250k is just one more area that I have cede to
society's distorted value system. Pay high premiums so you can stick it to
the insurance company if/when something happens, hope to be moderately
injured so you can be rewarded with a payoff well in excess of any real
damages? No thanks. I refuse to participate in that ponzi
scheme.<rant="off">

Owen Brand
84 Wolfsburg Westy
88 Saab 900t
90 Saab 900t convertible
94 Volvo 940t wagon

----- Original Message -----
From: "Grant Braddish" <braddish@MAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 8:21 PM
Subject: Re: Totaled camper van


> Unlike gemstones, persian rugs, and other 'stated value' insurables, a
vehicle's value changes rather quickly.  Therefore an appraisal that is more
than 6-12 months old would not likely be of much value in resolving the
'market value' of the van.  Further, 'stated value' policies are very
expense and not likely worth the added premium on a vehicle that would have
a value in the $5-10k range.  An exception might be a cherry synchro that
has a value closer to $20k, but even then the added premium would be tough
to justify.
>
> I don't agree with Brodbeck that vehicles over 10 years should not be
covered with a collision policy.  My '89 Westy has a value near or greater
to my '98 Subaru.  I think that the market value and your risk tolerance are
the best guide to determine if you should buy collision coverage.  Again, as
an adjuster I would recommend rental coverage.  It gives you some breathing
room if/when you are in an accident and the minimal premium amount is worth
it if you are in an accident.
>
> It's encouraging to hear a few stories about folks who educated their
insurer about the market value of their Westy and were rewarded with a fair
settlement.
>
> Good luck, Mike.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
> Date:         Sat, 13 Sep 2003 01:44:22 EDT
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      Re: Totaled camper van
>
> > In a message dated 9/12/2003 2:43:41 PM EST, braddish@MAIL.COM writes:
> >
> > << First off, I am an insurance adjuster.  While I don't deal with total
loss
> > vehicles, I can say that there is not a specific conspiracy to screw
Westy
> > owners by the insurance industry.
> >   >>
> >
> > Yes, as I recall the the conspiracy is a bit broader ;)
> >
> > Here's my question: To avoid a headache in the unlikely event that a
Westy is
> > totaled, does it make sense to have the vehicle appraised and then in
turn
> > furnish that info. to your insurer. Then paying your insurance premium
based on
> > the value of the vehicle. Or if you don't want collision insurance, at
least
> > you'd have the value of your specific vehicle on paper should the other
driver
> > be at fault and his company has to pay off the value of your Westy--or
however
> > that type of thing works.
> >
> > Having said that I have no idea as to what an appraisal would cost
and/or
> > what the qualifications for an appraiser are.  And if the appraisal
would have to
> > be updated every year--which I guess it would.
> >
> > What if friendly VW repair or parts vendors offered an affordable
drive-in
> > service for an appraisal? I mean these guys know the value of a Westy...
> >
> > Maybe the whole thing is a dumb idea. But don't thank me, I have more
dumb
> > ideas than I know what to do with.
> >
> > Jeff
> > 83.5 Westy
> > Book Value: $3500*, Actual Value: Priceless
> > LA, CA
> >
> > * not actual book value, my browser is acting up.
>
> --
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