Date:         Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:34:49 -0700
Reply-To:     Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Whittaker <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Bam! My Vanagon got hit...hard
Comments: To: Matt Drew <t3vanagon@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CANcggrLahMTf+JCF5kaBBCvv7ZVbTRU4JXYFtRC510N7osbQaQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Dear Ouch

SO glad to hear Matt drew Perspective from insurance co -
Right out of the Incredibles Movie
And so true
Be it WCB or Prestige Insurance -
Only a few times I have seen Adjusterand Underwriter play fair to customer
and that is in my current business Marine Insurance - as I am a Marine
Surveyor sometimes called in to act as a Marine Adjuster
Gods speed

On Thu, Apr 13, 2023 at 7:48 AM Matt Drew <t3vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey Richard-
> First off, glad that you walked away from this!
>
> I was in a similar situation a few years back. Luckily though, I was an
> insurance agent at the time AND insured through my company, so I have a bit
> of a different perspective on the process.
> That said, I can help you.
>
> First, always remember that your insurance company's fiduciary
> responsibility requires it to pay out as little as possible, and as such
> they represent neither you nor your best interests.
> So go into this knowing that they're DEFINITELY - without question - going
> to lowball you.
> This is never a question of "if," but rather "how much."
>
> They will cite the age of the vehicle and try to use that against you.
> They will *not* (more than likely) use apples-to-apples comps to establish
> a value.
> Some adjusters interpret the word "similar" very loosely, and in my case,
> didn't even use all Vanagons!
> Of the three vehicles used (all of which were VWs, ergo the "similar"
> designation) only one was a van, and it was nine years older and in MUCH
> worse condition than mine.
> The adjuster first, and without hesitation, came back with a verdict of
> "totaled," based on market values of those "similar" vehicles.
> I asked for the vehicles used to compare a value against, and sure enough,
> this was the ticket. I was able to get the Van repaired and kept the title
> clean.
>
> So your order of operations right now is this:
> -Research other vans to use as evidence of value, and find the highest
> numbers possible. Get as many as you can.
> -When the adjuster comes back with a number, ask them for the vehicles they
> compared against. You *will* be able to use this information to build your
> case.
> -DO NOT TAKE THE FIRST OFFER! Your van may well be totaled (damage sounds
> pretty extensive), but at the end of the day you want to get as much as
> possible for it.
>
> And feel free to reach out directly if I can help at all!
>
> -Matt
> '88 Westy "Ragnar LoafBrick"
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 12, 2023 at 6:59 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
> > Saturday I was patiently waiting in left hand turn lane at light; I moved
> > across the limit line, well into intersection.  Light changed from green
> to
> > yellow, opposing traffic in slow lane stopped.  I continued on my left
> hand
> > turn.  Out of nowhere, a black Tesla in fast lane raced to try to make
> the
> > light....came out of nowhere (those Teslas are fast accelerating).  BAM!
> > Hit passenger door.  My Vanagon spun around, and also got Passenger side
> > rear quarter hit.  So, crumpled up Passenger door and stuff underneath,
> > windshield broken too.  Tesla driver said to me, "I'm so sorry, it's all
> my
> > fault, we were in a hurry, any neck or back pain?"  Cops came.  No police
> > report, they just instructed us to exchange information.  Mine is a
> Tintop,
> > super excellent condition, Subie 2.2 conversion, new tranny too.  I
> haven't
> > taken to shop for estimate, but my guess is $9K+.  My insurance requested
> > photos; exterior, interior, I also sent then $15K invoice for the total
> > Subie conversion.  Not sure if stuff can be "pulled out".  I do know of a
> > guy with a backyard of junk Vanagons....including door.  Maybe sawsall
> > stuff from a junk Vanagon and weld into place.  And that's only the front
> > end!  Rear damage included barely allowing Hatch to open.  It's a mess.
> > Wish I could post photos.  Advice?
> >
>


-- 
roger whittaker 604.414.6266

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