I'll second that -- used to deal with ins. co. often at one job, calling the
state insurance commissioner made a whole world of difference just even in terms
of speedier processing and payment. And if that doesn't do the trick, a letter
or call from an attorney usually does, as it isn't worth it to them to blow
10k-20k going to court for the few dollars difference, even a few thou.
Plus they might end up having to pay you, your lawyer, *and* their lawyer.

On Wed, Aug 14, 2002 at 02:12:39PM -0700, patrice b wrote:
> Joe, I have not dealt with this issue (yet), but the first thing I would do
> is to contact your state's insurance commissioner.  Their office is like
> the Better Business Bureau of insurance, and someone there can at least
> tell you if this practice of agreeing to insure/accept payment for a higher
> than book value and then using book value to determine benefits is legal in
> your state.  If not, it is their job to investigate and even advocate for
> you.  The Insurance Commissioner should be in your phone book.  If not,
> call the dept of licensing and ask if they have a contact #
>
> --Patrice
> 85 GL "VanaBlue"
>
> ----------
> > From: Joe Hughes <Husey2@AOL.COM>
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Insurance company bullshit
> > Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 1:57 PM
> >
> > Vanagon friends,
> >
> > Am looking for info. regarding dealing w/my insurance company who is
> > declaring my '85 vanagon a "total loss" after damages from
> striking/killing a
> > dear back on 2 June. The van was never immobilized and i've been driving
> it
> > since, just completing a 1000 mile trek to a family reunion in my "total
> > loss", utilizing ALL it's amenities, i.e., beds, seats, stove, sink,
> frig,
> > etc.
> >
> > I'm hoping someone in Vanagon Land can inform me of similar situations
> > they've had w/their ins. company......and won! For example, got/forced
> the
> > ins. co. to change their decision re "total loss". I DO know now the ins.
> > companies determine a total loss based on cost of repairs and value of
> > vehicle. However, i insured my vehicle for more than the book/market
> value
> > when i bought it but they are not using that ABOVE market value figure
> when
> > estimating repairs. Consequently, their $4100 estimate for repairs is
> over
> > 75% of the market/book value of my van, even though i paid higher
> premiums to
> > have it insured for an "agreed value" of $7500. They tell me now, "Oh, we
> > don't use that 'agreed value' figure when determining a cost of repairs.
> We
> > use the market/book value.." Which they've determined to be around $4700.
> >
> > THIEVES!!! Hoping someone here can give me some info. on a "success
> story" of
> > arguing w/ins. companies.

--
Harmon Seaver
CyberShamanix
http://www.cybershamanix.com