Appraisal Questions

[randjflo60]

I need to upgrade my insurances on my vehicles now that they are Seniors, so of course I need to have them appraised.<P>1. What appraisal Company do you recommend?<P>2. Do they do it over the phone, on line, or must they do it in person?<P>3. Do they go by selling price or replacement value? The parts individually could be more than the worth of the vehicle plus labor. For instance I know the "book" value of my Impala is around $8,000 but I imagine a major accident could run $18,000 or so to repair.<P>Thanx

[Ron Green]

Do you really need a appraisal? My insurance company is JC Taylor and I carry what they call agreed upon value if the vehicle is destroyed or stolen. Even covers thief of parts in the garage or on the car. As my car went though the AACA awards tier to the grand national senior level I just dropped them a note stating the awards the car had won and what I wanted it insured for. They never questioned me on the amount and I believe they won't if you are in line with market values. Old Car's price guide is a good reference.<P>I could be wrong but without agreed upon insurance you will probably get the least amount of the book value that the insurance company uses, or else be in for a long drawn out battle that you will not win.<P>In my opinion it seems that these apprasial companys seem way off the mark (high). They are paid by the owner and it seems that they want to please the owner by quoting a high value. <P>You may want to talk to Rick Hoover as he is close by and according to a friend of mine just apprasied his 66 Hemi Charger at a real market value for his insurance company and he was happy.

[Rick Hoover]

Ron,<BR>I agree with Ron Green here that you may not have to re-appraise your vehicles for this. I would contact your carrier and ask them about upgrading the value first. Should there be a problem and they require a new appraisal, let me know and I'd be glad to help you with it.<P>Thanks for the referal Ron G. I'm glad Mark was happy. The first thing he offered me when he came was the keys to the car and to take for a spin. It was very tempting, but I had just finished road testing a Model A here before he came and I figured I'd end up doing myself some bodily harm and his appraised value would not be then what he was hoping for. What a great car he has!<P>Rick

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Ron: <P>I, too, have J.C. Taylor. Had the TR insured for $12,000. Simply phoned them to raise it to $18,000. It is "agreed" value.<P>In speaking with the appraisers at the Philly Annual Meeting this year, they were in the York area. One would have to pay mileage for the appraiser and the total I figured would have been $260.00 for the appraisal!! No way.<P>If I recall correctly, you can phone in a value you want up to either $20,000 or $25,000 without an appraisal.<P>See you Friday, Peter.

[Guest]

While I know it seems like a lot of money ($260)to pay for an appraisal, it doesn't compare to the $12,000 that could be lost if some other driver T-bones your car after running a red-light. His insurance company may not be as understanding as yours. Worse case scenario, you have to prove that your car was an above average collectable and not just another old car, and your opinion doesn't count because you're filing the claim. And what is insurance but preparing for the worse case?

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Voice:<P>Please re-read what I was stating. Why wasted the $260.00 appraisal fee when you don't need one. I simply sent 4 pictures of my car to J.C. Taylor Antique Auto Insurance, stated to them that I want it insured for $12,000 "agreed value". I then called them after receiving an AGNM 1st Prize, and, told them I want it increased to $18,000 "agreed value". All accomplished without having to waste $260.00.<P>(If you want to insure a car for over, I believe, $20,000 or $25,000, then, they want an appraisal.