Date:         Fri, 23 Jan 2004 21:28:14 -0800
Reply-To:     LOREN BUSCH <labusch@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         LOREN BUSCH <labusch@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Westfalia prices
In-Reply-To:  <20040124050244.IENX6907.mta015.verizon.net@gerry.vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The market price varies from market to market.  Different areas of the
country have notabley different prices for the same Westy.

I can really feel your pain, I totaled my '85 about two years ago and went
through the same thing with my insurance company.
The following things helped:
Dig out ALL maintenance records!! Reciepts for tires, new battery, anything
you have done since you owned it, and before if available.  You are trying
to establish that your Westy was is top, very special condition.
Haunt your local or regional classified adds, available online in many areas
of the country.  Talk to any local or regional VW dealers used car manager,
find out what he would be selling a similar Westy for, then refer the
adjuster.
Haunt Autotrader online.  There is a dealer in the Denver area that usually
has several Westy's for sale.
Don't be in a rush to settle. If your insurance provides a rental (usually
for up to 30 days) take it even if you don't need it.  This puts a little
more pressure on the insurance company to settle.
And don't talk money!!  Keep insisting you simply want a replacement
vehicle.
And this is really important, at least it was for me.  I asked to see the
'comparable sales' that the adjuster was using to  come up with his figures.
I had no trouble seeing them, but if they give you any flack, insist.  In my
case these 'comps' were from a separate appraisal firm and were NOT for a
Westfalia camper.  They were for Vanagons and the appraiser was making a
flat dollar adjustment for the camping equipment, about $350.   When I
pointed out that this wouldn't work, they agreed to try again.  Overnight I
dug out sales from the local classifieds and Autotrader showing clearly that
the difference between Vanagon vs. Westfalia was $3000 to $4000.  It turned
out I didn't need it, the insurance company called the next day and made an
offer that was actually above what I had decided I was willing to take. 
If the van is totaled and it is at all practical, buy the totaled van back
from the insurance company, probably $400 to $700 dollars, what they would
expect to get at the auction.  If you have a place to store it and either
you or someone else can start parting it out, you should be able to get at
least double the salvage cost out of it.  If the engine and tranny are OK
there usually is a market.  If alloy wheels, there's $300 to $400.  Interior
seats and camping gear have a good market.  And a lot of the components of
the ignition and fuel injections system sell for good prices.
Probably the most important thing I was able to produce was proof of the
condition of the Westy.  Really work that problem.  The adjusters job is to
'make you whole', that is, restore you to what you had (minus your
deductible!) 

Good luck, let us know how you make out.