----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Stearns <gstearns@sprintmail.com>
To: Max/Joyce Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2000 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: Re: Subaru Transplant/Insurance Co.?

> Since I am a partner in an insurance agency, a Vanagon owner, and a
> gearhead, that occasionally sees seat time on the track at Lime Rock, I
> guess I'm qualified to answer this.  In my experience the commissioner of
> insurance in each state will not allow an insurance company to change the
> rules after a policy is issued.  If however, you had already done the
engine
> swap, attempted to get new insurance, were asked on the application about
> modifications to the van and said "no", that's different.  Now you have
> misrepresented yourself which is grounds to deny coverage.  The Subaru
swap
> is sort of a benign example.  Suppose you had swapped in a Porsche Boxter
> engine (after the policy is issued) that had turned your Vanagon into a
> monster. No matter, the Ins. Co. is on the risk.  The possible exception
is
> how your Vanagon is valued if you damage it and want to claim the damage
> under comprehensive or collision coverage.  If you do present a claim for
> damage to a Boxter powered Vanagon, you can bet that any carrier is not
> going to be happy with this.  The company claim reps. will feel that they
> have been had.  They will probably offer a low-ball figure and make you
work
> to justify the value that you want.  I would not expect this process to go
> quickly.  Prepare yourself before this happens. Have a file with photos,
> receipts, ads for other Subagons for sale and the price etc. etc.  The
more
> evidence or proof that you have available to demonstrate what your Vanagon
> is and what it's worth, the happier you'll be with a claim settlement.
>
> Gary
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Max/Joyce Wellhouse <maxjoyce@IPA.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2000 5:10 AM
> Subject: Re: Subaru Transplant/Insurance Co.?
>
>
> > Pushing that 1800# rice rocket and dealing with 2 tons plus of Vanagon
are
> > two different loads for that motor.  wonder if that 350k+ engine will
last
> > that long with the extra weight, but     I hope it does.
> >
> > One topic I haven't seen discussed on this list with all the engine
swaps
> > and power adding going on, what happens if you have an accident with
your
> > van, you're at fault, and the Ins company finds out you had the motor
> either
> > hopped up, or a higher HP motor from another manufacturer.  Assume you
> were
> > also stupid enough not to inform your insurance company you'd made those
> > changes because you didn't want to pay the extra money.....  will they
> pull
> > the coverage, or at least try to?  Not much funny about this for a
Friday.
> >
> > Dimwitted Moose and flying Squirrel
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Steven L. Goldstein <dgsggold@GTE.NET>
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Date: Friday, December 15, 2000 1:55 AM
> > Subject: Subaru Transplant
> >
> >
> > >Well, got our '90 Carat back the other day with a brand new Heart
> > >Transplant. A Subaru Legacy 2.2 135hp Heart. This Wolfsburg Carat, we
> > >bought new in 1990, never really lived. Now she's alive! What a match
> made
> > >in heaven. The German Vanagon design matched with the superior Japanese
> > >engineering. No more 19th Century Wasserleaker! I was very lucky to
find
> > >an installer who did his own Westy conversion and is into perfection as
> > >part of his personality. Anyone who owns a wornout Vanagon and is
> > >considering a Transplant, I highly recommend the Suby Legacy '90-95 2.2
> > >engine transplant. These engines easily go 250,000 or more miles before
> you
> > >have to start thinking rebuild. I just met a Legacy owner who has
344,000
> > >miles on his Outback. I'm telling you guys, looking at this engine in
her
> > >new home, looks like from the factory. That Suby engine with the
> automatic
> > >tranny is a dream to drive. You can barely feel the tranny shift. If
you
> > >live in Southern California I will be glad to turn you on to my
> installer.
> > >He is an Electrical Engineer by trade, but he loves his hobby. He's
> > >very reasonable and into doing things right the first time!  Steve
> >
>
>