Colorado insurance appraisal

[DSMtuned]

I need an appraisal of my Starfire for my insurance company. Does anyone have suggestions on appraisers in Colorado (Denver specifically) who know classic cars?

I found these guys: https://www.autoappraisal.com/index.htm, but $250 seems kind of steep.

Let me know what you know.

Thanks!

-Craig

[dlh61olds]

I deal with Ron Theisman in Colo.Spgs. He has over 30 years exp. in the field.

Reach him at (719) 471 1887.A very good man. Past pres. of VMCCA in Colo.Spgs.

Thanx for asking, Dave (dlh61olds)

[Bhigdog]

You might want to check out Hagerty for your insurance coverage. They are easy to work with, have a very good reputation, and do not require an appraisal, only pictures......Bob

[Bhigdog]

You might want to check out Hagerty for your insurance coverage. They are easy to work with, have a very good reputation, and do not require an appraisal, only pictures......Bob

[Guest AlK]

or J.C. Taylor. Regular insurance companies are going to charge you an arm and a leg and then fight with you if you make a claim. At least if you fight with the antique insurance guys you have not paid a lot of money for the coverage.

[DSMtuned]

All good suggestions. Thanks guys. I'll try the guy in the Springs and also consider Antique insurances.

I have American Family Insurance now and they have been very good to me with claims on other cars. It's actually only $280 per year with a $250 deductible. This is considering less than 1500 miles per year, which is the plan.

I bought the car for $10,000, but their book will only insure it for $6,500 without an appraisal.

Thanks for the advice.

-Craig

[Guest Randy Berger]

I pay less than $200.00 a year for a car worth double the $10,000.00.

It allows me up to 5,000 miles per year.

It also has "agreed upon value" written into the policy. That means

the insurance company and I agree what the value is. Make sure any policy

you buy has that wording. I'm sure Hagerty does and most other antique insurers, also.

[Bhigdog]

Hagerty charges me $80 per annum for $500,000 of liability and $3 per $1000 for collision/comprehensive. Coverage is for agreed value, no deductable, no milage limit. So if your rate is the same it would cost you $110 per annum to insure for $10,000 full coverage. BTW, liability is charged just once per policy not per car. I have 5 vehicles insured with them and my liability cost is $80 per annum, total. A regular insurance company will never be competitive with a specialty insurer either in cost or coverage for the simple reason they don't understand or really want the business......Bob.

[Ron Green]

The Auto Appraisal Group has an excellent reputation though they cost a little more then most. They will also update your appraisal for 3 years at no charge. Depending on what you own this can come in handy.

I need to get two cars appraised as Hagerty and most of the antique auto insurers will only cover up too 25K max of agreed upon value. After that you need a appraisal.

[Bhigdog]

Maybe something has changed there, Ron. My Buicks are insured for $70K each agreed value with no appraisal, just 4 pix.......Bob

[Guest AntarcticDave]

I have my 47 Cadillac with Grundy, and have been happy with them. I had it with American Family before that. They charged over twice the cost, and when a woman ran a stop sign and hit my rear fender, I had a horrible time getting the claim settled. The adjuster insisted the fender be repaired, not replaced, and estimated the whole repair at $1,800. Because of this low-ball estimate, no classic shop would deal with the repair. Finally I told them they better find a shop that would. The chrome strip alone ran $1,600, and 45 hours labor on the fender. The repair total was $5,800. If they'd been reasonable to begin with, I could have used a classic shop, and they could have saved $1,000. That was what convinced me to switch, and my agent at American Family said he didn't blame me a bit.

[DSMtuned]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have my 47 Cadillac with Grundy, and have been happy with them. I had it with American Family before that. They charged over twice the cost, and when a woman ran a stop sign and hit my rear fender, I had a horrible time getting the claim settled. The adjuster insisted the fender be repaired, not replaced, and estimated the whole repair at $1,800. Because of this low-ball estimate, no classic shop would deal with the repair. Finally I told them they better find a shop that would. The chrome strip alone ran $1,600, and 45 hours labor on the fender. The repair total was $5,800. If they'd been reasonable to begin with, I could have used a classic shop, and they could have saved $1,000. That was what convinced me to switch, and my agent at American Family said he didn't blame me a bit. </div></div>

WOW this is enough for me to switch to an antique insurer!!

There is no way at this time that the car will be valued for more than $25,000, so Hagerty with no appraisal will work great. I'm going to call them up today.

Thanks for all of the input!

-Craig

[ted sweet]

if she hit you i dont understand why your insurer paid.

[Guest AntarcticDave]

Hi Ted,

We were still a no-fault state then, and it was simpler to go through my insurance, and then they went back after hers (which did agree it was her fault). I had, when I got really frustrated, thought of just going with hers directly, to see if they behaved better. They said their repair estimate was even lower, $1600. Everyone I talk to in the local clubs who use a regular classic insurer have had much better experiences.

Dave