Date:         Fri, 16 Aug 2002 11:45:21 -0700
Reply-To:     pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Insurance company bullshit
In-Reply-To:  <200208152220.g7FMKVap276140@mta2-int.prodigy.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

FWIW. From private mail with a fellow in Calif.

Revamp to reflect your particular vanagon...This is for a 1990.

Step 1.  Politely refuse their first offer.  Infer or state that your
preliminary research shows the 1990 Westfalia Syncro (use these words) to be
worth much more.  (don't use numbers, just much more).  Mention the
replacement policy and note that you would be willing to allow them 30-60
days to find a comparable (use this word) replacement.  Don't mention your
intention to retain the vehicle, you'll use this in further negotiation.

Step 2.  Get the numbers, J&D, Marty Hoch, research the sunday papers from
Seattle, LA, Denver Salt Lake Portland SF, SJ, Albuquerque, Houston, Dallas.
All or most available on the web.  Get sales info if possible.  Create a
"standard" letter that explains your predicament that you mail to the
prospective data suppliers with a self addressed stamped envelope for them
to mail you their actual sales price.

Take pictures of your syncro with a digital camera so you can discuss ...

Step 3.  Establishing the salvage value.  Contact BW Volkswagen Dismantlers
in Roseville, CA 1-916-986-1600.  Talk to Jeff re salvage, should be ~$2500
or so.  He has email so you can send him the pictures.  Contact other
westcoast dismantlers.  There are several in Seattle/Tacoma, and of course
elsewhere.  Get realistic values, e.g. what they did pay for similar
vehicles.

Step 4.  Spreadsheet the results of Step 2.  I'll send you a sheet that I
used.

Step 5.  Sit tight.  The InsCo will more than likely dispute your claim and
make you the same offer.  You are under no obligation to settle at all.
They're on the hotseat, not you.  Be patient.  Wait until you have at least
5 actual westcoast recent sales to work with that are comparable, then
re-send the original letter attaching the results of your research.  Don't
make an "offer". Re-state your desire to "replace with comparable"  (1990
Syncro Westie, 30Kmi)  Don't mention salvage.

Step 6.  With all the data in hand, prepare a "market-based" value
statement, adjusted for your particular vehicle.  You can figure how to do
this using KBB and adjusting the mileage to see the percentage change.
Prepare a "market based" salvage estimate.

Sit tight.

When the InsCo responds, re-state your "MBV" from step 5.  Offer to wait an
additional 30 days from now for them to find a "comparable" or offer to do
the research yourself to find a comparable for sale.  If you find one, offer
the seller his price, document the offer and present it to the InsCo as your
settlement.  Then you'll talk about the cost of research and the value of
the salvage.  Offer to call it square based on the necessary efforts you
have had to make to refute their claim of the value, if they simply allow
you to retain salvage.

There will be further negotiations, be firm on your MBV stuff and negotiate
actually paying for the salvage vehicle at something less than what your
research into the value has demonstrated.

Bimeby...they'll settle for an acceptable cash or replacement vehicle that
you chose.

The longer it goes the more anxious the adjuster's supervisor is to get the
matter closed.

Be patient.

BTDT.

Pensioner

1989 Syncro Westie (Bessie)
1989 Syncro Westie (Ruby) RIP