Date:         Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:55:22 -0800
Reply-To:     Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Drew <t3vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: got hit by a front end loader
Comments: To: Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca>
In-Reply-To:  <248342B4-772F-450E-B5AC-FEB702917ECD@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Having JUST been through an insurance debacle, I wish you GOOD LUCK!!!

A word of advice (and I know that every single list member who's been in an
accident will agree - since they're the ones who gave ME the advice):
DO NOT TAKE THEIR FIRST OFFER!!!!

(This of course assumes that insurance companies operate similarly in
Canada)

In my case the adjuster initially valued my Vanagon at less than $2,700 -
with cost of repairs at over $4,700.
His initial response was that it was a no-brainer total, and was pushing to
cut me a check (minus the deductible, of course) that day.

Didn't sound right to me though, so I chose to do a little research and put
up a fight - and it paid off!

It sounds to me like your damage is substantially more extensive than mine
was, so on the surface it would seem that you're in for a total.
It all comes down to how much they write the check for.

Do your homework on comparable vehicles and get your price as high as you
can, then buy the van back and sell it for salvage - it all impacts your
bottom line and increases your Syncro Westy options. Check out GoWesty and
TheSamba - and ebay can't hurt either.


FWIW, I envy that you're in a position to be weighing Syncro Westy options!

That's also my dream rig!

Honestly, if I had a little bit more saved-up (and my GL was all done) I'd
be all over the '90 on ebay right now: *
http://tinyurl.com/88pcay

*Best of luck!!!!
Honestly though, it's more a matter of effort than luck!

-Drew
'90 GL "Blackbeard" (reloaded and lookin' GOOD!)