I have been involved in a few appraisals with Vanagons and antique cars.
Except for Syncro Campers, there is little to be gained unless you are
going for limited use, stated value insurance policy. A good appraisal
is highly based on market value and condition/mileage. 20 year old vans
probably need paint and window gaskets as maintenance. Just as a $3,000
engine will not increase the value by that amount, neither will a paint
job. If you plan on using the van as a daily driver, I would drive
carefully, document all work performed, keep pictures, and if something
happens, go after the insurance of the person that hit you and get the
replacement value.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of lauterba
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 10:36 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Appraisal of restored Vanagons

I am in the process of restoring my '84 7-passenger van.  When I asked
for the replacement value to be raised on account the recent exterior
restoration, my insurance agent said I needed an appraisal to verify the
value of the restoration work.

Has anyone done this?  What do you do if you think appraiser is way off?

John Lauterbach
Macon, GA
'84 7-passenger