Help! Appraisal/Insurance Dillemma

[eithegreat]

Any advice?

I want to get my just restored fj60 insured adequately. My current insurance runs out in the next couple of days, and when I renew I want to add comp/collision coverage (or maybe just the collision). Issue is no insurer wants to pay what the truck is actually worth (blue book max of $3500?!@%). Well, a call to my local state farm agent presented the option of getting my truck appraised; and that would be their set value of the vehicle. Does anyone know who would be willing to do this? All it has to be is from someone “reputable”. All the dealers and “reputable” auto people around here (central PA) know nothing about cruisers and said that they’d just go by the bb value in their appraisal. Any ideas?

I've already had some brainiac sideswipe me oncoming on a winding mountain road (the POS didn't even stop, and lucky for him I didn't catch him). Luckily all that happened (thanks mostly in part to my noticing him and a quick swerve) was knocking something(s) off of his minivan, a loud bang, and a light scratch from my rear driver door to the rear corner. Cruisers might be almost indestructible but some retard could still total it. In the unfortunate event that something should happen to mine, I at least want to recover enough money to rebuild…

If anyone on this forum could write up a letterhead appraisal, please let me know! PM me with your fee!

I had a posting about it a couple weeks ago, but here is the link to pictures of it again:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/422960660DEXCbz

Any help is appreciated!

 

[MDH33]

I'm (in Denver) using progressive for insurance on my FJ60. $480 a year with collision coverage for the value of the vehicle (I estimated replacement to be $5500). The insurance agent did a walk around to verify it wasn't already totaled and that was it.

 

[hank14]

search Autotrader.com and cars.com across the country for 86-87 cruisers. Either take the average price, or pick the ones in similar condition. That is what it would cost you to replace yours. Surely a cruiser shop like Man-a-fre, Slee, or Urban could document an approximate value. Good luck.

 

[Tinker]

There are certified appraisers, but they tend to specialize in certain areas: I had my wife's VW cabrio appraised by one several years ago. I'd start by checking with Kurt of Cruiser Outfitters (he's on this board) & David Dearborn (DD113, I think, on this board). Report back if you find someone. I'd like to find out the same thing.

 

[eithegreat]

Well, I have progressive now; and even though I could put in the trucks value, in the fine print they still can only get away with paying you zilch in an accident (and they wanted $850 more with a high deductible - I'm in deer country though, but it's too much). The same was true with a couple other firms.

My own stated value on the truck wouldn't work with state farm, it has to be from someone "reputable" other than myself- and they have to see the truck in person; the agent didn't want to take my word for it even though I sell cruiser parts and have bought 9 cruisers.

After checking the good-restored trucks on autotrader, I hope I never have to buy a replacement. Maybe the autotrader search will be enough to convince my agent... I'm going to try calling all the cruiser parts retailers if nothing else comes up; hopefully something will come through. And to think that I will have to go through this again with my 40 once it's done...

 

[cruiser_guy]

Finally a reason for Vintage Offroad!!!

Maybe this is where Vintage Offroad can be of use to the 'Cruiser community?!? If you can't rebuild for what he sells 'Cruisers for then you can't do anything!

 

[chitown40]

Landpimp had a guy appraise some of his cruisers and I think he would do it via mail with a recent pic. Then you can take the appraisal to your ins. co and get them to insure it for that amount. My ins co, Farmer's, told me it would be a few more dollars per year on the comprehensive coverage, but with a third party appraisal it would be no problem.

John, can you post up a link to the guy that does the appraisals?