I'd appreciate the benefit of others' experience regarding an insurance settlement for my totaled 1986 Vanagon Westfalia: I have been negotiating with my claims adjuster as to its 'replacement value' (if bought in or near Santa Cruz, CA). Consequently, I looked up the Blue Book and IntelliChoice values _as guides_ to its fair-market worth or replacement value: BLUE BOOK Suggested Retail $10,200 Blue Book Trade-in Value (excellent condition) $6,050 ...for California 95060 (Santa Cruz) 1986 VW Vanagon GL Camper (Westfalia) 150,000 miles 4 Cylinder Gas , 4 Speed Manual, Rear Wheel Drive, Power Steering, AM/FM Stereo, Cassette, Premium Sound similarly, INTELLICHOICE Total Vehicle Value (adjusted) Retail $7,760 (after the severe downward adjustment for mileage of -$1400) Next, I looked up ads in regional papers (SF Examiner-Chronicle, San Jose Mercury, etc.) and online sources. There were only a few '86 Westys, but the asking prices were $8000+ for what I could determine to be a _comparable_ vehicle. I guess the real question is "what is comparable?" When I bought the Westy several years ago, the engine and driveline were in very good condition (despite the high mileage, and it gave me 20mpg), the suspension was in excellent condition, the exterior was in excellent shape, and the interior was in nearly mint condition. The single previous owner was anal-retentive about maintenance and care, storing it in a garage, and he virtually never used it as a camper (just freeway long hauls to visit relatives). There was no rust, as the vehicle was kept in CA Central Valley, with trips to the Southwest. At purchase time, we had two different Vanagon mechanics inspect it, they both said we were getting a really good deal at the $7900 purchase price. Absolutely everything worked. Since then, I have treated it like a baby, only installing a new water pump and tires. Now, my question is: Am I wrong in thinking I should get $7500 for replacement? I have nearly given up on trying to convince the claims adjuster that I can't replace it for his estimate of $6800, as nice as he is. Don't get me wrong, I'm not whining here--I've just never been through anything like this. My wife claims that I fell in love with this vehicle, therefore it is more valuable to me than any purely rational claims adjuster! Thank you for any advice, Steve Minta |
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