Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2024 14:42:01 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Auto Insurance oblgations
In-Reply-To: <SJ2P222MB0972B7E5D02FC9CE5A8C4EA3A06E2@SJ2P222MB0972.NAMP222.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>
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Good questions. Tree was on city property, next to an old folks home where
people are forced to park on the street for lack of parking on said
property. Tree trimming has long been neglected and the trees are becoming
a threat. I learned the hard way. park there - there is no other place -
and you are at risk. Ins. never discussed total loss. From the outside -
except when looking down at the top - it does not look like it was even
damaged. On that score I have to give kudos to the Germans of the time. It
was hell for stout. When it gets down to it, I think my biggest issue is
going to be who picks up the tab for getting it to and from a shop with the
capacity and materials to do the job. The nearest one I have found is 600
miles away.
Given that the top has to be cut away anyway, for a new top to be put in, I
have wondered about the effeciency of just installing a Westfalia type top
and just having a Weekender. All that ceiling and AC tunneling stuff then
could be eliminated. Since work has to be done, there should be some
tradeoffs somewhere I would think.
And about the engine, this van was to be my last vehicle in my driving
life. Since 1987 the vans have been my only vehicle. I have owned 5 over
time and had four at once. The engine in this one is practically new - 3500
miles since major overhaul in a highly respected engine shop here - and it
will outlast me by a long shot, and hopefully with minimum servicing, few
problems.
Dennis, I'll try and send a few pics to you direct. I don't think they will
go through Gerry so everyone can see what all the fuss is about.
On Sun, Sep 22, 2024 at 9:24 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> Is the damage limited to the sheet metal or are the cross braces also
> damaged? If the cross braces are damaged then the walls have also been
> pulled in. That would have to be part of the repair.
>
>
>
> I don’t know the magnitude of cost, what they offered, and for what. Did
> they discuss “total loss”? Do you have some form of declared or stated
> value policy? As this was a fallen tree, who did the tree belong to? If the
> tree was diseased or otherwise compromised there could be recovery
> potential there also.
>
>
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Sunday, September 22, 2024 7:17 AM
> *To:* Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> *Cc:* vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> *Subject:* Re: Auto Insurance oblgations
>
>
>
> Good questions. They did an evaluation, sent me a check, and told me to
> find a shop. Well, that was all totally unacceptable. I REFUSED THE CHECK.
> Turns out the adjuster/inspector didn't even look at internal damage - the
> AC SYSTEM torn from the ceiling inside and the headliner damage inside. The
> check was designated for external damage only. Ironically, looking at the
> van from all sides, you can't tell it was damaged at all - until you get up
> and look at the top. It is crushed down into a bathtub shape. Holds water
> every time it rains but does not leak - yet! One advantage. Every time I
> move the van after a rain a deluge of water pours forth and washes the
> windshield.
>
>
>
> Going back to the negotiating table with this. It's always something.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 11:06 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Major repairs such as engine or transmission replacement do not add any
> value after a year or 12,000 miles. Did the insurance company actually make
> an offer? Are they waiting for an estimate, or did they make an evaluation
> for repairs? Did they offer a total? It is not likely for them to offer to
> have it repaired without some limit being set. Added difficulty of finding
> shop that will do welding of structural components taking on the liability.
> If emotion is going to part of the repair decision you will likely have to
> absorb a significant part of the cost.
>
>
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> *From:* John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Saturday, September 21, 2024 10:59 PM
> *To:* Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> *Cc:* vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> *Subject:* Re: Auto Insurance oblgations
>
>
>
> THE INS. CO SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR REPAIR BUT DUMPED IT ON ME TO FIND A
> SHOP TO DO IT.'
>
> They even gave me a list of shops in their network in my state. I called
> the list and many others. None want to touch it. Age of vehicle (1991
> Vanagon carat), lack of availability of parts, etc. Could find nothing in
> Alabama. In Florida AND SOME OTHER STATES i found a plethora of places who
> could and would do the job. Lots of spare parts on hand. But not in
> Alabama. Ins. Co listed my vehicle condition as GOOD. Also has virtually
> new Subaru engine conversion in it. So no way am I interested in writing
> this thing off. I use it to haul for art shows.
>
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 4:54 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Probably none. It may be hard to justify that a "competent" shop does not
> exist within a reasonable distance.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of John
> Rodgers
> Sent: Friday, September 20, 2024 3:14 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Auto Insurance oblgations
>
> In the event of a collision, what obligation does the insurance company
> have to get your vehicle to the nearest competent repair shop even if it is
> out of the state where the incident occurred.
>
>
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