American Eagle

[rhanson5911]

Have a mostly restored 1992 American Eagle 38' class A. I was recently rear ended by a hit and run driver. Insurance wants to total it but not willing to give me as much as it cost for the new 8.3 cummins engine. Has any one ever delt with insurance adjusters for motorhomes or have any ideas what I can do to prove to the insurance company that they are trying to get by to cheaply. I live in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.

Some of the new items include: engine, hardwood floors, carpet, converter, inverter, tires, A/C units, Nav system, Stereo, microwave, and a newer refrigerator just to mention a few.
She's a good driving and handling ole bus and I really hate to see it go to a salvage yard. Repairing it is an option as I use to do body and paint work.

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated

[adamfolger]

Your insurance co has to make you whole. Call your state/gov insurance office and discuss the issue. Actually you probably should have insured for "stated value" as soon as you started upgrading but you may have some leverage with the state controllers office. Are they offering you enough to repair the damage? Sit down with a lawyer for a consult fee ($100 ?)

[CountryB]

Insurance Adjusters will go off "book value" when determining whether the vehicle is totaled or not. If you did a full restore, you have a lot of money in the Coach and you should be able to show your Insurance Co this (by providing copies of your receipts). You can't get credit for self-labor, but you should be able to come up with the value of your MH based on book value and your parts receipts.

If Insurance still wants to call it a total (after you have agreed on value) you can buy the "totaled vehicle" from Insurance and get repairs made yourself. Using "used" parts and/or aftermarket parts can cut costs a lot on a self-repair.

I would say step one is to determine if frame is danged, and if so, can it be pulled straight. But if your not interested in keeping the MH - just want fair compensation, then gather up all your receipts. You can also get a professional appraiser to give you a value (he will be able to provide a value based on "before" the accident) that you can use to negotiate with Insurance Co. Google "Vehicle Appraiser" but then look for one with experience with RVs.

[Gary RVRoamer]

A couple of points:

1. Unless you have a prior agreed value, the insurance is for the market value of the coach, not what you spent on it. It's quite easy to spend a lot of money but not increase the market value. Like it or not, a brand new $30k engine probably does not increase the market value of the coach more than a few thousand dollars. IOt's only worth what somebody else would pay for it.

2. The phrase "make you whole" does not mean you get every dime back, either in original purchase or subsequent upgrades. It basically refers to fair market value.

3. You can make a case for reimbursement above current book values IF you can show that yours was in fact worth more to a potential buyer than a typical 92 Eagle. You can try to make the case that the new engine enhanced its value above the typical 92 Eagle, but its hard to find actual data to support that. If you could find documentation where a similar coach with a new engine sold for more than current book value, that would be a big help (nigh impossible, but you might get lucky).

[CLIFFTALL]

As stated , unless you have an agreed amount stipulated and paid the premium for that amount , I doubt you'll get anything more. After all you're being charged the physical damage premium based on the book value.

[roundymike]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

A couple of points:

1. Unless you have a prior agreed value, the insurance is for the market value of the coach, not what you spent on it. It's quite easy to spend a lot of money but not increase the market value. Like it or not, a brand new $30k engine probably does not increase the market value of the coach more than a few thousand dollars. IOt's only worth what somebody else would pay for it.

2. The phrase "make you whole" does not mean you get every dime back, either in original purchase or subsequent upgrades. It basically refers to fair market value.

3. You can make a case for reimbursement above current book values IF you can show that yours was in fact worth more to a potential buyer than a typical 92 Eagle. You can try to make the case that the new engine enhanced its value above the typical 92 Eagle, but its hard to find actual data to support that. If you could find documentation where a similar coach with a new engine sold for more than current book value, that would be a big help (nigh impossible, but you might get lucky).

As an auto adjuster this is correct. The new motor should increase the value. How much is the question. Get a couple of quotes from some dealers to see what the retail value is with the new items factored in.

Also argue condition. Any new parts should enhance the condition of the coach. Pay close attention to any comparable rv's they use to value your coach. Also look at the condition they rate your coach at on the valuation report.

Mileage will also affect the value. Make sure you understand any mileage deductions.

[NHRA225]

If was a Hit and Run I will assume the Damage is at the rear Bumper- Right behind the Bumper the Spartan Sub Frame I Beam Chassis begins moving forward- and that's pretty bullet proof unless it was a substantial Hit and if that were the case the Hitting vehicle would't be able to drive away. Tell us more about specifics and pictures sure would help in assessing your damage.
Parts are available to repair the rear end.

[Crasher]

As has been mentioned, if you insured it as a 92 Eagle, you were charged a premium based on the average of all 92 Eagles. I'm on my last year of full replacement (five years). Next year, my premium will drop about $400, but no more full replacement unless I can show that it is worth more with photos and two appraisals stating it's value. Then the premium will be adjusted to reflect that amount. There's no free lunch wit insurance companies.

[Gary RVRoamer]

There is a good chance that you can buy the totaled coach back from the insurer for its salvage value (probably low) and then repair it yourself. Since you had the skills to restore it and the desire to own a '92 coach, this is probably a viable option for you. That way you still get the benefit of that new engine!

When the insurer declares it a "total wreck", it is strictly a financial decision and not a determination that the vehicle is unrepairable. With parts and labor costs so high these days, it doesn't take much damage to make it uneconomical for the insure to repair it for you, so they just pay the total loss (fair market) value amount.

[rhanson5911]

Thanks for all of your answers. Sorry it has taken so long to respond but I have been out and about with no internet service. Yes it has been peaceful.
Reading thru my insurance policy it states they will give me salvage price plus improvements for any totaled vehicle. They just don't say they are going to screw you on the upgrades..
I have appointments with 2 RV dealers to give me a "value" estimate and I have been on various websites to show what these units are selling for.
I am going to keep the ole gal and do the fiberglass work myself, I found a guy that says he will straighten the bumper. I called a couple of salvage yards and they want $2500.00 for a bumper. I don't know about you but to me that is hiway robbery. I could buy a 20 ton press and work the kinks out myself and give the press away and still be money ahead.

Again thanks for your posts, they were very helpful.

[Gary RVRoamer]

RV salvage part prices are steep. Not just because it is an RV - they are in short supply. Unlike Ford Tauruses or Chevy Maibus, you won't find a lot of '92 Eagle bumpers laying around, so the price is more like rare antiques. Definitely repair yours if practical. Can even re-chrome if needed.

[THenman]

You should also check to see if a salvage title is what you would get and how that may affect you and insurance should another accident occur.
I personally have no idea but it's something I'd check.

Tom

[billgallivan]

I have been told that even with receipts for a new engine less than 1year ago, if more than 6 months old too bad

[89sandman]

If you want them to pay thousands above the book value then you need to have it insured for thousands above the book value. You can't pay premiums based on book and expect them to pay you thousands more.