NADA Values are too low for Flying Cloud

[SYC2Vette]

So after a full year of looking for a recent year 20' Flying Cloud "Bambi" I am convinced that the NADA RV values are low by as much as 20% if you are looking for an excellent condition Airstream.

We ended up paying $61,000 for a 2017 with about 9 days of use and perfect condition in all regards and full warranty. There was a new out of state 2018 for similar price we found but transport costs and unknowns drove us to choose the "bird in hand" We finally decided to ignore NADA, after the only ones less than $60k we could find were everything from hail damaged to abused, we are very happy with our purchase.

Just curious if this is somehow unique to the apparently hard to find but desirable 20' or if others have observed this disconnect from reality looking at NADA.

[TheGreatleys]

NADA is a joke for Airstreams, which don't depreciate as quickly as most RVs do. This is not unique to your rig, and it can cause serious problems when you have an insurance policy that references NADA when calculating the value of a total loss.

[Countryboy59]

Books don’t by vehicles. NADA and Carfax are a joke.

A dealer wanted to ding the value of my F350 because carfax showed it had damage from backing into a pole (brand new rear bumper). Thankfully truck buyers are a little smarter than that.

[moosetags]

NADA values have always been basically useless when it comes to Airstreams. I have no idea where they dream this crap up.

Brian

[azflycaster]

Everyone knows that the NADA and Kelly values are a joke. They use the same depreciation value for everything. The problem is that those values are used by most banks and insurance companies. The first thing to do if you purchase a used Airstream is to get an appraisal and an agreed value insurance policy. It will cost more, but your investment will be covered.

[Mollysdad]

I learned when I sold my motorhome that NADA admits their values are not accurate. The reasoning is that compared to cars, the sample size for a given RV is very small, so accuracy suffers.
Makes sense.

[SilverPal2]

I agree with the post that NADA values are off by 20% or more, I am a professional appraiser and appraise 15-20 Airstreams a month. I also agree with the quote that your best approach is an appraisal and an agreed value policy. Jamespolk@polkvaluations.com if you need more information

[jbknowso]

For sure the books are off. They’re good if you’re buying but if you are selling different story kind a like a double edge sword.

[stevesiegel]

This is why we found an "agreed value" policy on our recently purchased '93 Excella. Insured for what we paid -- and they'll increase value as we renovate/improve the interior.

[davidrrand]

For those of you that have “agreed upon values “, who is your insurer?

Thanks

Dave

[Squairstream]

We have an agreed upon value with USAA base upon a current appraisal.

[azflycaster]

I went through FCIS ( https://www.fcisinsurance.com/ ) and I am insured with Progressive. They made the process very simple. They are a sponsor of the Airstream Club and do this on a regular basis.

[PatLee]

What can one do to ensure they get real value replacement from an insurance company if AS is totaled?

[PatLee]

Sorry didn’t read down the thread for all answers to my question. Thanks!

[Rokitman]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Everyone knows that the NADA and Kelly values are a joke. They use the same depreciation value for everything. The problem is that those values are used by most banks and insurance companies. The first thing to do if you purchase a used Airstream is to get an appraisal and an agreed value insurance policy. It will cost more, but your investment will be covered.

Agree 100%. Only lenders, dealers, buyers, and adjusters use [fill in book name here] to suit their current advantage. And, it doesn't matter what type of "vehicle" you're buying... auto, truck, trailer, boat, motorcycle, etc.

I still ask for it, but I don't trust Carfax anymore either. I was trading in a Tundra a couple years ago that I originally owned. We started talking trade-in value when the Dealer's salesman showed me the Carfax that said the truck had been rolled. But, unless it was rolled somewhere between the manufacturing plant and the dealer I bought it from, it never happened.
[emoji35]
Rockitman

[banderabob]

Originally Posted by davidrrand

For those of you that have “agreed upon values “, who is your insurer?

Thanks

Dave

Liberty Mutual

[guskmg]

Squairstream, Re: Post #11. Is your agreed value policy from USAA written through Progressive's/USAA's arrangement?
guskmg

[Mattirs]

Progressive, sold and been insured with them for decades. They have treated me fairly except when they cut our commissions by 2/3's.

[tbashin]

Ask NADA or Carfax or KBB to buy your vehicles. Won’t happen for their prices. It’s all about what the seller and buyer are willing to agree on. Bottom line.

[Squairstream]

guskmg: re your post . Yes my policy is with Progressive thru their relationship with USAA. Nationwide would have placed the policy but the restrictions and conditions were unreasonable.