My beautiful Airstream is gone, gone, gone.

[mhilley]

A month ago as my wife and I were travelling with our A/S a very large 18 wheeler bumped our trailer and put it into an oscillation which I was unable to control. It went over taking the tow vehicle with it. I had two anti-sway bars and a w/d hitch. My wife was uninjured but I had a broken vertabre in my back. I was in the hospital for 30 days! My question is "what was she worth?" It was a 20 ft 2006 Safari in immaculate condition. New tires, two new AGM batteries, brand new air conditioner, two newaluminum gas tanks, etc.. I think she was worth at least $25,000 but the insurance company says not. Here we go again! What do you think she was worth and how do I prove it?

[Bill M.]

Price a new one. Depreciate it over 25 or so years. Add on for any extras and the new stuff. Use as a starting point. Look at advertisements of trailers for sale. Remember that the smaller ones are more desirable on the used market. Maybe ask them to actually replace it rather than just writing the check?

[richinny]

when i had this problem with a car i simply asked the insurance company to find me a car in like condition for that price. they revised their estimate.

[idroba]

Originally Posted by richinny

when i had this problem with a car i simply asked the insurance company to find me a car in like condition for that price. they revised their estimate.

Excellent advice. Also go to an AS dealer and get a quote from them as to what the retail price of a similar AS on their lot would be. Pay them if necessary for the statement, and get it in writing. Send that to the insurance company. I did that and got full value from one which had been damaged by a sideswipe and the cost of repair was more than the value of the AS, and the dealer put it in writing for free.

[blmitch5]

Here is one that sold.

2006 Airstream Safari For Sale | Vintage Airstream Classifieds

2007 Airstream Safari Se 20' - Oatmeal, Lakewood NJ - 100771752 - RVTraderonline.com=&

2006 Airstream Safari , Travel Trailers RV For Sale By Owner in Santa monica, California | RVT.com - 116493


Says 2007 but in smaller print its an 06
Airstream 2007 Safari 20' Bambi - Airstream Trailer Classifieds - Airstreams Trailers For Sale

2006 Airstream Safari , Travel Trailers RV For Sale By Owner in Santa monica, California | RVT.com - 116493

Almost all of these are sold (but one) and were higher than your $25,000. Maybe call an Airstream dealer and ask them to give you a price. Maybe get some pics of your unit and send them along so they can see the condition. It will be hard to replace but I'm glad your both ok.

[zlee]

I don't have anything to add to what the above folks said (good advice, all of it), but mainly want to express also that I'm glad you're okay, and I hope your back is healed up! Scary stuff.

[Splitrock]

This is where they talk to my attorney and I register a complaint with the insurance commission.

[Zia]

I trade in my 20' 2006 Safari for $20K with solar charger, 22' TV with built-in DVD and an inverter, new tires, batteries. The dealer told me he is going make good prifit due its desirable size. I was able to get a very good deal on 23' FB Serenity
Sorry hear about your loss, luckily you both are OK it could be worse.
Good luck

[DKB_SATX]

Whose insurance company says it's not worth that? Yours, or the trucking company's insurance?

I say Bill M has a good idea at least for a starting point... tell them if they can find a comparable trailer to yours in mint condition you'll consider taking it (and subject it to the same rigorous inspection you'd perform on any used unit.)

[handn]

From the sound of your post, the accident was not your fault, was it?
If the 18 wheeler hit you, 30 days in the hospital and a broken back represent a significant tort claim. Usually spinal fractures result in some disability.
A smashed up Airstream is a small part of your damage.
You need good legal advice. The place to get it is not off of a billboard or television add but from referrals. Start with your family attorney and possibly your doctor.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by richinny

when i had this problem with a car i simply asked the insurance company to find me a car in like condition for that price. they revised their estimate.

Ditto.

[Morgan guy]

The insurance companies use an average used price for all trailers, not just Airstream, as their starting point. They don't or don't want to consider that Airstreams are worth more than other trailers.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by richinny

when i had this problem with a car i simply asked the insurance company to find me a car in like condition for that price. they revised their estimate.

Yep, that's what you gotta do.

[ole-red]

Just went thru the same seniro with my 2002 Bambi.....Estimate to fix the baby was just over $10,000. Insurance company and I went around and round for over a month....I did what most of the replies above said....First I ask them just to find me one of the same quality.....and purchase it....Then I put the Adjuster on to the Classified ads......To show him the book value can't be used on these like an automobile...I then went directly to the top management of the adjusters office......I talked to him for about 20 minutes and followed up with an e-mail stating I was turning it over to my Attorney, which by the next morning I had received a go ahead to have the repairs done.......So all the current advice wrapped up together will work to your advantage.....Hope this helped !!! Just keep hammering on um......

Ole-red