Date:         Wed, 5 Nov 2008 06:22:47 -0500
Reply-To:     Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: OH Dear, OH Deer: Mel and all the rest
Comments: To: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <377529.26849.qm@web51405.mail.re2.yahoo.com> (Stephen Grisanti's
              message of "Tue\, 4 Nov 2008 23\:16\:42 -0800")
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM> writes:

> This is the kind of stuff that makes the list valuable to me.  From
> hints to bitter experience to diatribe to agreed value, whatever I
> need to know to help keep the van going or to help resurrect it after
> a catastrophe (heaven forbid), I'll read a post on it and decide for
> myself if it is useful to me.  You folks are a wealth of
> knowledge...and opinion.  I accept both and filter accordingly.

Typically hitting a deer would be covered under your comprehensive
coverage.  It's sort of an "act of god" kind of thing in that it's
generally unavoidable so I don't think it falls under collision.

Nobody (AFAIK) is required by the government to carry comprehensive or
collision.  Your lender probably requires it if you have financed the
vehicle, but otherwise it's your choice.  Only liability is mandatory.

Rates for comprehensive are based on "average" claims experience for
your area for that make, model, and year of the vehicle, with an
adjustment factor based on your personal driving record.

I'll say it again, if you have an old/rare vehicle that is in "above
average" or better condition, the time to discuss its value with the
insurance company is BEFORE you have a claim.  Otherwise you will find
them wanting to pay you "average" value for your loss, since you've
probably been paying "average" rates all along.

I certainly hope that you come to an agreeable settlement.

Allan
-- 
1991 Vanagon GL