Well, I read the many posts on the subject as suggested, here and on the
Samba, and came to this decision: The insurance company's initial offer
wasn't that bad, and, while I did try to get them to come up a bit, it
wasn't so low that I thought I had to drag out the process. Of course I
don't want to be cheated, but I'd also like to fix or replace soon so I can
get on with my camping season.

Their initial offer was $8,669.74, with a buy-back price of $1,000. I
countered with $9,500 with me keeping the van.

They came back with these three offers:
     $9,200 to me, they take van
     $8,200 to me, I keep van with salvage title
     $7,600 to me, I keep van with clear title

I got them to increase their price to $8,500, I keep the van, salvage title.
I agreed to this- on the one hand, I'd have the van for parts, or, if I
wanted to fix it, would have a little extra for re-inspection hassles with a
salvage title. But the other two options seem fine, too. $9,200 is enough to
get a nice Westfalia with some left over for repairs. $7,600 is not as much,
but if I wanted to repair it, I wouldn't have to worry about the salvage
title.

I was pleasantly surprised at their initial offer; I worried that they'd
offer me $2,500 and I'd have a big fight on my hands. I know I could have
tried for more, but since the initial offer was not out of line, what I did
seemed to be the right thing to do to get moving on a replacement without
inconveniencing myself too much.

I guess I could change my mind over the weekend and take one of the other
offers, but I have tentatively decided on the $8,500 with me keeping the van
with a salvage title.

Thanks for all the input so far. I'm happy to hear opinions on my decision.

Also, just to clarify in case I didn't put it in the original post: I live
in CT and have Progressive, just liability. Other insured lives in NY, was
at fault, has Geico. Collision happened in NY. Van is at local body shop in
CT.

Ed in CT

Ed Duntz