Owen - We are in complete agreement.  The year of the vehicle is not the issue.  It's the value.  Further, your capabilities at repairs are certainly a factor.  I'm glad you bring that point up.
However, your extra vehicles in case of the need to take one off the road are likely to cost well in excess of the $6-10 for each 6 month premium that rental coverage costs.

----- Original Message -----
From: Owen <olists@THEBRANDS.ORG>
Date:         Sun, 14 Sep 2003 06:33:35 -0500
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:      Re: Totaled camper van

> I know this insurance thread has been covered more than once but I have
> stand with Brodbeck on this one. He succinctly stated the case for self
> insurance whenever possible. Self reliance is key. The max value for my 84
> is probably 6k. Full coverage so I can hope to get most of that in the
> unlikely event that I completely total the van? Then pay an even higher
> premium? No thanks. Self insured in this area isn't such a stretch.
>
> Too expensive to repair is dependent upon the damage and who can fix it. If
> I were entirely dependent upon a mechanic and a body shop it might change my
> tune some, but not much. How many "totaled" vans are bought by able bodied
> list members at auction and turned into perfectly good vans?
>
> I prefer to maintain my RAIC (redundant array of inexpensive cars) myself as
> much as possible. The RAIC consists of a few cars that we enjoy driving and
> I enjoy working on. If one car is taken out of service (planned or unplanned
> maintenance, squire) I am not stuck with a rental and the pressure to change
> my schedule to hurry up and fix it.
>
> I carry the same policy on all of them. State required liability with a bit
> more coverage to repair the other person's car, hospitalization for the
> other person, and 250k in umbrella liability to hedge our lawsuit crazy
> times. <rant="on"> The 250k is just one more area that I have cede to
> society's distorted value system. Pay high premiums so you can stick it to
> the insurance company if/when something happens, hope to be moderately
> injured so you can be rewarded with a payoff well in excess of any real
> damages? No thanks. I refuse to participate in that ponzi
> scheme.<rant="off">
>
> Owen Brand
> 84 Wolfsburg Westy
> 88 Saab 900t
> 90 Saab 900t convertible
> 94 Volvo 940t wagon
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Grant Braddish" <braddish@MAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2003 8:21 PM
> Subject: Re: Totaled camper van
>
>
> > Unlike gemstones, persian rugs, and other 'stated value' insurables, a
> vehicle's value changes rather quickly.  Therefore an appraisal that is more
> than 6-12 months old would not likely be of much value in resolving the
> 'market value' of the van.  Further, 'stated value' policies are very
> expense and not likely worth the added premium on a vehicle that would have
> a value in the $5-10k range.  An exception might be a cherry synchro that
> has a value closer to $20k, but even then the added premium would be tough
> to justify.
> >
> > I don't agree with Brodbeck that vehicles over 10 years should not be
> covered with a collision policy.  My '89 Westy has a value near or greater
> to my '98 Subaru.  I think that the market value and your risk tolerance are
> the best guide to determine if you should buy collision coverage.  Again, as
> an adjuster I would recommend rental coverage.  It gives you some breathing
> room if/when you are in an accident and the minimal premium amount is worth
> it if you are in an accident.
> >
> > It's encouraging to hear a few stories about folks who educated their
> insurer about the market value of their Westy and were rewarded with a fair
> settlement.
> >
> > Good luck, Mike.
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
> > Date:         Sat, 13 Sep 2003 01:44:22 EDT
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject:      Re: Totaled camper van
> >
> > > In a message dated 9/12/2003 2:43:41 PM EST, braddish@MAIL.COM writes:
> > >
> > > << First off, I am an insurance adjuster.  While I don't deal with total
> loss
> > > vehicles, I can say that there is not a specific conspiracy to screw
> Westy
> > > owners by the insurance industry.
> > >   >>
> > >
> > > Yes, as I recall the the conspiracy is a bit broader ;)
> > >
> > > Here's my question: To avoid a headache in the unlikely event that a
> Westy is
> > > totaled, does it make sense to have the vehicle appraised and then in
> turn
> > > furnish that info. to your insurer. Then paying your insurance premium
> based on
> > > the value of the vehicle. Or if you don't want collision insurance, at
> least
> > > you'd have the value of your specific vehicle on paper should the other
> driver
> > > be at fault and his company has to pay off the value of your Westy--or
> however
> > > that type of thing works.
> > >
> > > Having said that I have no idea as to what an appraisal would cost
> and/or
> > > what the qualifications for an appraiser are.  And if the appraisal
> would have to
> > > be updated every year--which I guess it would.
> > >
> > > What if friendly VW repair or parts vendors offered an affordable
> drive-in
> > > service for an appraisal? I mean these guys know the value of a Westy...
> > >
> > > Maybe the whole thing is a dumb idea. But don't thank me, I have more
> dumb
> > > ideas than I know what to do with.
> > >
> > > Jeff
> > > 83.5 Westy
> > > Book Value: $3500*, Actual Value: Priceless
> > > LA, CA
> > >
> > > * not actual book value, my browser is acting up.
> >
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