Totaled Interstate Valuation

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, IB. I would really, really like to keep it, but can’t imagine salvaging it and dealing with that kind of repair myself. I just don’t have the knowledge base.

I jumped the gun, believing it could be fixed, but have just learned a great deal about all of this during a lengthy conversation with a Claims Specialist at SF this morning. He also said, looking at pictures, that the frame appeared to be bent.

They haven’t yet received an estimate of value, and if repair costs are more than 75% of that, they will consider it a total loss.

I saw the repair estimate and took it at face value, but there is more needed.

Sigh.

Maggie

[rowiebowie]

There is probably much unseen damage, but your insurance can add items later (up to and including their "final" estimate).

When my daughter wrecked her car many years ago, the first damage estimate was amended several times. Most significantly to add damage to radiator and front end due to improper towing to the shop on the day of the accident. We let the insurance company worry about going after responsible parties.

[Rocinante]

Yes indeed, especially since the repair estimate you got appears to be significantly incomplete, even if all the Airstream RV components and systems were completely un-touched, which I seriously doubt. (For example, any AS electrical systems that were under the hood are likely gone or severely damaged.)

[OTRA15]

Following up on the recent valuation comments in your Different Life II thread . . .

FWIW when the body shop started taking apart our old van, a lot of hidden damage was discovered, so the shop foreman got the insurance appraiser to come over ASAP. He said "stop -- we are going to total this."

None of the players wanted to repair anything complicated, because of the spiraling labor cost line item. But they would not [could not] make that determination until the van had been taken apart partially.

My guess is that your IS will need to go through a similar "triage" stage for thorough diagnosis.

Good luck,

Peter

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, Peter.

I have learned, from my own research, and info from others here, that an older model, high mileage Diesel is less a factor in depreciation than an older model, low mileage rig of any kind....better that they be run and maintained than let sit unused and undriven.

My Interstate is in fact sitting at a place in PA that deals in sales and auctions of salvaged and wrecked vehicles.

Maggie

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

I found their estimate for repair in their online system this morning...about $13,000, but fixable.

It appears they have assessed only the Sprinter Van portion, where I feel an RV person also needs to look at it.

I have sent the estimate to a friend who knows more than I to look at.

I am concerned that repairs will occur in Pennsylvania, while I am in Illinois.

Any suggestions or info are welcome.

I may start thread on a trusted body shop in Harrisburg, PA.

I feel soooooo out of my league, dealing with this.

Maggie

Maggie sorry you have to experience this mess. I haven't entered this discussion because I had nothing to add until now. If you do get to have your beloved Interstate repaired I recommend you contact the Sun Motors Mercedes Dealer in Mechanicsburg, PA - it is close to Harrisburg and is the best Sprinter dealer on the Mid-Atlantic area. They have a large team of Sprinter Specialists, many with early Freightliner Sprinter experience and a large collision repair facility. I've had my Interstate serviced there several times - they are top notch.

Sun Motor Cars, Inc., 6677 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

https://www.mercedes.sunmotorcars.com/

[Lotus54]

From what little I could see, it appewars the engine and certainly gearbox are fine. Although some ancillaries may be damaged and certainly all the heat exhachangers (coolant, AC and intercooler)

I most certainly could be wrong. But hoping I’m correct.

Mark

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, guys.

I really appreciate everyone chiming in with information and expertise...I have learned a great deal from all of you, and it helps tremendously in dealing with this.

Maggie

[Titus]

My mistake. I enlarged the picture and do see the front of the engine. But I am not sure that is the good news. I don't know how they would check for damage to all parts of the engine. Intake or exhaust manifold or any of the many brackets could be cracked, and may not completely fail until hundreds or thousands of miles later. Wonder if SF would allow you to drive it for a while after repairs were 'complete' before signing off on them?

[Lily&Me]

I don’t know, Titus, but I promise I will be cautious if we get thru a repair process.

I believe, if I recall correctly, the repair estimate references a rebuilt engine replacement...

Maggie

[Silvertwinkie]

Sorry, didn't realize there was a separate thread from the "blog".


I agree with virtually everything that's been said here. If the hit took out the exhaust system, it's a fair bet that there is more damage beneath the surface. When I look at the picture, the engine looks off center, so yes the frame is for sure bent and what that did to the trans, driveshaft, differential, u-joints, suspension parts, brakes, bearings, engine and transmission mounts, etc has yet to be determined. Then as has been stated, the Airstream parts under the hood area (if any) that will need to be completely replaced. My guess is there is at least $25k in parts and structural repairs alone....rebuilt Mercedes Sprinter van engines are about $6k alone, transmissions around $4k none of this includes labor, so as you can see, the numbers start to grow exponentially rather quickly.

[Lily&Me]

I believe, from looking at the estimate and talking at length with the Claims guy yesterday, that they have been approaching repair and estimation of value from strictly the Dodge Sprinter angle...beneficial to them, not so much to me.

The inspector appears to have stopped documenting damage once he exceeded what might be just the value of the van, not the Airstream part, which he couldn’t have missed.

In talking with Claims yesterday, he confirmed this is insured as an Airstream Interstate, but asked me if I thought the value would be about $10,000.

Ummmm, no, that’s a bit low, and he has to know that. This is a motorhome.

Looking at listings just for the vans online, $10,000 would be about right for just a van with my mileage...one that wasn’t converted to an Interstate.

I notice lots of these vans for sale still in this price range with significantly higher mileage than mine, which speaks to the engines reputation for going the distance.

Maggie

[wachuko]

You might have mentioned this... but did you provide them with comparable vehicles and their value? No way that they can approach this strictly from a van value perspective and not from a motorhome...

Keeping you in our prayers for all this to end up well.

[SteveSueMac]

Maggie - are you negotiating this solo or with an agent? I'm hoping the latter - you need someone in your corner who knows contract language and how to be your advocate.

When my trailer was hit in the storage yard by my neighbor, his insurance company first suggested I could take it to any body shop to have the dent banged out. They had no clue what they were talking about.

If you have an agent, put them to work for you and make sure they're insisting the carrier understand the details of the vehicle/damage and makes a GOOD FAITH estimate. Don't sign any settlements until you're fully satisfied.

Good luck!!

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

I notice lots of these vans for sale still in this price range with significantly higher mileage than mine, which speaks to the engines reputation for going the distance.

Maggie

Mercedes diesel engines (which is what your Interstate chassis most likely has) are legendary with a rich history that spans more than 75 years. It's not uncommon for these engines to run hundreds of thousands of miles before really getting broken in. Some of the early 70s Mercedes diesel passenger cars are still on the road today, many still running in amazing condition-- some even run straight filtered used vegetable oil in the summer.

[Lily&Me]

Thanks, folks.

My agents office is really not involved with the claim, but to insure it is filed properly and then to answer any questions...rather than relaying things back and forth, it is better for me to speak directly to Claims. I can ask questions and then more questions if I need to.

There are some knowledgeable people in my world that I can turn to, in addition to all of you , so am so far navigating mostly by feel but still doing so nonetheless.

There are few comparable vehicles out there, is the truth, but we did talk about the one that showed up, and I have found a few more SOB listed just as the Sprinter Van but motorhomes of various sorts.

I have also looked at 05 vans, alone, which is how I deduced this was where they were coming up with $10,000.

It seems they are looking at overall depreciation as if it were only a van, with 193,000 miles.

Maggie

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

. . .
If you have an agent, put them to work for you and make sure they're insisting the carrier understand the details of the vehicle/damage and makes a GOOD FAITH estimate.
. . .

. . . echoing this advice . . . well said.




PS on edit, just saw your post Maggie. Is your agent refusing to get involved? In our rear-ender accident, the local agent made a huge difference, because they send TONS of insurance policies and coverage to the company. When our agent barked, the company listened! Maybe not true for yours, but she saved us many thousands of dollars. Food for thought? Good luck. Peter

[Lily&Me]

He’s not refusing to get involved, is there if I need him or have questions, and am sure will do more if that is needed.

I may write him if things get ridiculous, but am told that Claims handle Claims.

They did send me a sweet “sorry for your accident” note, with a gift certificate for specialty cookies.

Maggie

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

...They did send me a sweet “sorry for your accident” note, with a gift certificate for specialty cookies.

Maggie

Do not eat the cookies!! It is a trap!!

[Lily&Me]

I got my documentation, along with a narrative pleading of my case for reimbursement , off to AAA yesterday, also received a whopping Visa bill ....but, then, that’s why we maintain savings accounts.

Spoke with SF again this morning. Very polite, patient and informative man.

My Interstates Claim is in the Total Loss division, and it seems just a matter of time before it is so declared...the Claim was indeed, also, until I spoke with them on Tuesday, being dealt with for 12 days as only an 05 Sprinter Van. I do not understand how that occurred.

The frame is indeed bent, “may have sustained significant damage”, is “out of square” and it is questionable whether it could be safely straightened so as to render the rig road safe. I think Eric’s assessment of damage and potential cost to repair from yesterday is likely very close to accurate.

He did comment that it looked to be in very good condition, with no rust, paint well maintained, etc., and they uploaded their photos so that I can view them online.

SF contracts with Auto Source to gather comparisons and do a value estimate for specialty vehicles, and that was requested yesterday.

I was encouraged to send in any information on value that I had found myself, which I did along with a few recent photos, but really feel it is incumbent on SF to gather accurate, relevant and informed information as to this vehicles value...from dealers and perhaps Airstream themselves, to make a fair offer to me.

***Note to self: good for insurance purposes to keep current pictures of your interior.

These older rigs, especially rear sleepers, are not a dime a dozen. We keep them, travel in them, treasure them and love them. Gail said to me that my Interstate is more like a pet than an RV, and there is some truth to that.

I am educating myself, but have not hired anyone to do an appraisal of value...am going to wait to do that if their value seems way out of whack.

So, that’s where it’s at currently.

Two weeks post accident, and counting.

Maggie