Before I started on my engine replacement project, I wondered if anyone knew
how insurance companies dealt with vans with new engines that had been
totalled.

Yesterday I talked to my insurance agent about that.  He says it really
depends, but unless the new engine has very few miles on it, the chances are
it won't have a big impact when they value the vehicle.  He is in somewhat
the same situation, with a very old but pristine Suburban.  If it were
totalled, he would have a tough time getting what it's worth.

One approach he said you could take was to say that you didn't want money,
just a comparable van.  Then you would have to hustle around and find one
you liked that was close to the one which was destroyed.  With passenger
Vanagons that isn't too tough, but with Westphalias, it might be hard.  He
also said it would have to be in the local area, but I imagine "local"
depends on where you are at, and what you can work out with the adjuster.

Then there is always buying the wrecked van and pulling the engine from it
to transplant into another one.  That works OK if you do your own work
(unless you were rear-ended), but gets to be pretty expensive if you have to
hire a mechanic.

The bottom line is - keep your receipts, (probably not in the van!) take
some good pictures, and hope no retiree driving a Chrysler Imperial T-bones
you at an intersection!

Mike Finkbiner
'87 Westy
Moscow, Idaho
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