Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2024 11:26:44 -0400
Reply-To: Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@IP-SOLUTIONS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Harry Hoffman <hhoffman@IP-SOLUTIONS.NET>
Subject: Re: Auto Insurance oblgations
In-Reply-To: <SJ2P222MB0972B7E5D02FC9CE5A8C4EA3A06E2@SJ2P222MB0972.NAMP222.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I don't know if this is helpful but when one of our cars was damaged
in an accident the insurance company offered far less than what the
value of the car. We went and compiled a list of all recent sales of
our moderately old vehicle in our area, and proved it was
significantly higher than what they offered. They adjusted their offer
based upon this data and it worked out well for us.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Harry
On Sun, Sep 22, 2024 at 10:24 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<mailto: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<mailto:jrodgers113@gmail.com>>
> Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2024 10:59 PM
> To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com<mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>>
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>> On Behalf Of John Rodgers
> Sent: Friday, September 20, 2024 3:14 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto: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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