Date:         Fri, 19 Dec 1997 01:31:47 GMT
Reply-To:     Address@END.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.sdsc.edu>
From:         Address@END.COM
Subject:      Cautionary Tale Told, Advice Sought (long)
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Volks:

A couple of months ago I began monitoring this list because of my desire to
buy a Westie in the near future to replace my '96 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup. The
truck was listed for sale recently, and upon that sale I was going to get
the Westie.

Yesterday, while driving through downtown L.A., a car ran a red light,
attempted to turn the wrong way onto a one way street  (which I was on) and
smashed into the side of my truck as I crossed the intersection (doing an
uncontrolled 180-degree spin towards a sidewalk full of lunchtime
pedestrians is not recommended by this reporter). Later I found out he had
hit my truck while trying to flee the scene a block or two away, where he
had hit another car. Neither myself nor my passenger was injured, but the
truck is awfully ugly: driver's side caved in, ripped metal, tire caved in,
frame out of whack. The driver of the other car was arrested. I don't know
if he had insurance, as the LAPD told me that I would be mailed a copy of
the police report in a week or two, and the information about his insurance
(if any) will appear there. I have very little hope that this man was
insured in any way.

My cautionary tale is this: I called my insurer (Mercury) to report the
accident, at which time I was told my policy had expired a month ago. I was
sure they were wrong, and this morning set about trying to get to the
bottom of the situation with a clear head. The bottom line: they told me
that they had sent me a "renewal offer" (I have no recollection of this)
and because I "did not respond", my policy was canceled. I was told that
"it is not Mercury's policy to send more than one renewal offer" and "nor
is it Mercury's policy to inform the customer that the policy has lapsed if
the renewal offer is not accepted". Therefore, the policy was can celled
without me ever knowing it, and Mercury is satisfied that the one piece of
mail they sent me - which again I am not aware of receiving - is all the
notice I needed. Over the past 4 years I have always paid my premiums and
renewals on time and pointed this fact out to no avail.

Please take the time to see that your insurance is in order to avoid this
happening to you! Also, check to make sure that your insurance carrier
doesn't subscribe to the same patently unfair and dangerous renewal
practices that Mercury does. I'd hate to see a beautiful VW bus of any kind
end up the mangled mess my truck is today. If any injuries had been
involved, this might have had life-long financial consequences for me, or
you, if you get into the same situation.

Now, the advice I need: I still owe money on the truck (~$12k). The repair
bill will easily be in the $6-7k range, which I don't have. The truck is
currently sitting at a body shop close to the accident site, and they are
undoubtedly charging me "storage fees" for taking up space. I don't really
see the wisdom of going another $7,000 or so in debt to get it fixed
(financially speaking, that would put me in an even more precarious
financial situation than I'm already in), nor do I see the wisdom in
continuing to make the payments on a truck which I can't drive because it's
now very close to being shaped like a banana.

I see two options: (1) If I don't make the payments, I will default on the
loan, and GMAC will eventually repossess the car - with a tow truck, I
guess, since the truck can't be driven. I will have saved the money I might
have had to spend on the repairs, and I get a black mark on my credit
report. Or,(2)  I go more deeply into debt in order to have it repaired.
(Again, I have only a vague hope that the guy who hit me has insurance; if
he does, by some act of God, I can collect from them, but...)

What does this have to do with VW's? Well, as I said at the top, I was
trying to sell the truck in order to buy a Westie. That dream, although
fading, is still alive, but I think I'm in a position where I can use as
many viewpoints as possible in order to get that to happen.

In the meantime, thanks to all of you on this list, as I live vicariously
through your bus experiences. One day I'll find a way to join your ranks.
And I'll have a lot of insurance on that bad boy, too.

Chris
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Chris Paquette