Vanagon listmembers,

I'm trying to gather some information for my insurance company related to an
estimate of how much my Westfalia has depreciated in value due to its
involvement in a hit-and-run accident.  This van was a 1989 Westfalia GL
camper in excellent condition with 59k miles, excellent paint with no rust,
mechanically well maintained with no problems, full camper package and all
appliances work fine, garage kept first 9 nine years, pop top canvas is
excellent, body and interior very clean, recent tune up and complete fuel
line replacement.  This van suffered a heavy impact to the front on the
driver's side. Approximately $2800 in damage requiring replacement of front
bumper, spoiler, turn signal, lower grill cover.  The lower half of the
front of the van will be replaced (body included).  The frame was bent at a
cross piece that connects the end of the bumper to the main frame.  This
will be straighten out.

Assume that the van is repaired to like-new condition using replacement VW
parts at a VW dealer auto body shop, the bent frame is straighten to
original condition, and the newly painted front matches the rest of the van.
Since I can know longer say that the van has never been in an accident if I
tried to sell it in the future, I would appreciate some feedback on a dollar
estimate on how much less this van is worth solely because of the fact that
it has suffered major-but-repaired damage in an accident.  Basically, if you
had two identical well-maintained vans in the condition described above but
one of the was known to be in an accident that resulted in some frame damage
that had been repaired, what should be the price difference between the two?

I appreciate your input on this very much, as I have been told that I may be
able to file a claim for depreciated damages incurred as a result of this
hit-and-run accident.

Thanks,

Steve

89 Westy