swirlygirls
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Post by swirlygirls on Jul 10, 2015 4:20:07 GMT -8
Hi everyone. My trailer, a 1960's Oasis, will soon be done. Three short years after purchase. Now I want to insure it and have read through everything I can find on here about the issue. (I'm bleary eyed and in need of more caffeine.) My first question is regarding finding an appraiser if there isn't one in your area. It sounds like finding one familiar with trailers is complicated enough but what do you do if one isn't in your area? Do you fly someone in and wine and dine them? I see one of our members is an appraiser. Want to come over for dinner? I live in Oregon. If anyone has ideas or contacts I'd be quite thrilled.
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Post by vintagebruce on Jul 10, 2015 6:20:52 GMT -8
So glad to read your Oasis is nearing completion! I went to the Oasis wiki page on TCT and scrolled down to where it lists two Clubs dedicated to Oasis campers...perhaps you could check out both of those sites and do a search to see what Oasis owners are doing or recommending for appraisals or insurers. There may be a recognized Oasis appraiser who can take a documented restoration/rebuild and offer up an appraisal without coming to you or vice versa. I have not really read the insurance appraisal comments here on VTT, because at this time, I would have to pay someone to steal any of my campers. www.tincantourists.com/wiki/doku.php?id=oasis#.VZ_SnGd0xjo
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swirlygirls
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Post by swirlygirls on Jul 10, 2015 13:31:59 GMT -8
Thank you so much!! I'll check it out. And if I wasn't all tuckered out from working on Dottie, I might steal one of your campers at no charge.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 10, 2015 18:01:54 GMT -8
Thank you so much!! I'll check it out. And if I wasn't all tuckered out from working on Dottie, I might steal one of your campers at no charge. Swirly. I started a thread a few months ago regarding appraisals and "agreed value insurance". Here's what I came up with after much research and the path I'm taking with my restored vintage trailer. Quote from the thread: An update to this always sticky issue of 'agreed value' insurance for restored vintage trailers: I can safely say I've found a good route to go with on this. FCIS in Iowa is a good agent to start with. They have people in their office who you can talk to and know how to deal with the insurance company and have real experience with vintage trailer claims. Tony Reynolds is a good person there to start your insurance conversation with. The insurance company almost always is going to be Progressive and their policies are definitely written as 'agreed value'. There are a couple of other companies, but they have strict requirements (i.e. trailer must be locked in a garage, etc.). An appraisal is a MUST. Some agents (like American Adventure) will tell you that you don't need one, but then the insurance company will turn to NADA value for your '59 Shasta's total loss! Good luck with that. I think American Adventure is more geared toward the late model RV business. A good certified professional appraiser is Jim Polk of Polk Assoicates in Ojai, CA. FCIS knows him and his work and he has lots of experience with evaluating our type of trailers. He was recommended to me by a great trailer restorer, Denny Stone of So. Cal Trailer Design. Jim's fees are reasonable as well and he's very helpful. FCIS says they have had excellent experience with claims through Progressive and with appraisals done in advance. I hope this all helps... Read more: vintagetrailertalk.freeforums.net/thread/3850/appraisal-vintage-ham-insurance#ixzz3fXmnnVju
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swirlygirls
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Post by swirlygirls on Jul 11, 2015 3:40:49 GMT -8
Thank you. Yes it helps greatly. I did read all that which is why I got bleary eyed but I was assuming I needed a live human being to come and look at the trailer. I have just a few little things to finish and then will gather all the photos and be ready for an appraisal. I'm going to contact Jim Polk to start with.
When I think back to all the things I've learned in this little adventure I can hardly believe it. Yesterday I lit the propane light for the first time and neither it, nor I, erupted into a ball of flame. Instead, I saw the nice warm glow of a lantern. Joy.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 20, 2015 15:50:23 GMT -8
It's best if the insurer has their own appraisers. Then the appraisal will cost you nothing. It becomes costly to find and hire an appraiser after an accident.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 25, 2015 16:29:38 GMT -8
It's best if the insurer has their own appraisers. Then the appraisal will cost you nothing. It becomes costly to find and hire an appraiser after an accident. I think the OP was referring to appraisal for a new "agreed value" insurance policy… not for an accident. That would be a claims adjuster and the insurers do send them out to review damage after an accident. Appraising first and then securing an agreed value policy avoids the "argument" with the insurer after the accident as well as getting fair reimbursement for the investment made in a restored vintage trailer.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 25, 2015 18:05:20 GMT -8
It's best if the insurer has their own appraisers. Then the appraisal will cost you nothing. It becomes costly to find and hire an appraiser after an accident. I think the OP was referring to appraisal for a new "agreed value" insurance policy… not for an accident. That would be a claims adjuster and the insurers do send them out to review damage after an accident. Appraising first and then securing an agreed value policy avoids the "argument" with the insurer after the accident as well as getting fair reimbursement for the investment made in a restored vintage trailer. Oh of course... Just saying do it now. Not after an accident.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jul 26, 2015 7:31:41 GMT -8
I think the OP was referring to appraisal for a new "agreed value" insurance policy… not for an accident. That would be a claims adjuster and the insurers do send them out to review damage after an accident. Appraising first and then securing an agreed value policy avoids the "argument" with the insurer after the accident as well as getting fair reimbursement for the investment made in a restored vintage trailer. Oh of course... Just saying do it now. Not after an accident. Ahh… got it!
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jodybitzz
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Post by jodybitzz on Jul 26, 2015 7:50:02 GMT -8
Hi everyone. My trailer, a 1960's Oasis, will soon be done. Three short years after purchase. Now I want to insure it and have read through everything I can find on here about the issue. (I'm bleary eyed and in need of more caffeine.) My first question is regarding finding an appraiser if there isn't one in your area. It sounds like finding one familiar with trailers is complicated enough but what do you do if one isn't in your area? Do you fly someone in and wine and dine them? I see one of our members is an appraiser. Want to come over for dinner? I live in Oregon. If anyone has ideas or contacts I'd be quite thrilled. Hi! I just had an appraisal done on my 1968 Shasta. I found Tim Heintz down in Florida ( I'm in NC) He owns a vintage camper restoration company and is the southeast rep for Tin Can Tourist. It cost $200 and I sent him a link to all of my before and after pictures. He did a market analysis and a 10 page report. He did a fantastic job. My camper appraised at $16,200 and I was then able to get an AGREED AMOUNT policy from my agent at Nationwide. Here is link to Tim's company www.heintzdesigns.com
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 26, 2015 8:43:45 GMT -8
Hi everyone. My trailer, a 1960's Oasis, will soon be done. Three short years after purchase. Now I want to insure it and have read through everything I can find on here about the issue. (I'm bleary eyed and in need of more caffeine.) My first question is regarding finding an appraiser if there isn't one in your area. It sounds like finding one familiar with trailers is complicated enough but what do you do if one isn't in your area? Do you fly someone in and wine and dine them? I see one of our members is an appraiser. Want to come over for dinner? I live in Oregon. If anyone has ideas or contacts I'd be quite thrilled. Hi! I just had an appraisal done on my 1968 Shasta. I found Tim Heintz down in Florida ( I'm in NC) He owns a vintage camper restoration company and is the southeast rep for Tin Can Tourist. It cost $200 and I sent him a link to all of my before and after pictures. He did a market analysis and a 10 page report. He did a fantastic job. My camper appraised at $16,200 and I was then able to get an AGREED AMOUNT policy from my agent at Nationwide. Here is link to Tim's company www.heintzdesigns.comWow that's a great deal. So you don't have to let him inspect the trailer? Just send him photos? If so I think I'll use him as well.
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jodybitzz
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Post by jodybitzz on Jul 26, 2015 18:28:51 GMT -8
Hi! I just had an appraisal done on my 1968 Shasta. I found Tim Heintz down in Florida ( I'm in NC) He owns a vintage camper restoration company and is the southeast rep for Tin Can Tourist. It cost $200 and I sent him a link to all of my before and after pictures. He did a market analysis and a 10 page report. He did a fantastic job. My camper appraised at $16,200 and I was then able to get an AGREED AMOUNT policy from my agent at Nationwide. Here is link to Tim's company www.heintzdesigns.comWow that's a great deal. So you don't have to let him inspect the trailer? Just send him photos? If so I think I'll use him as well. Larry, he was great. He came highly recommended and like I said, the report looked great. I received a pdf file, an original signed and sealed and notarized copy and 2 sign and sealed/notarized scanned copies. It was a very quick turn around.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 26, 2015 18:38:00 GMT -8
Wow that's a great deal. So you don't have to let him inspect the trailer? Just send him photos? If so I think I'll use him as well. Larry, he was great. He came highly recommended and like I said, the report looked great. I received a pdf file, an original signed and sealed and notarized copy and 2 sign and sealed/notarized scanned copies. It was a very quick turn around. I'll have to put a link to him on my website. This is the first I have heard of him. Guess I oughta watch more TV LOL.
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swirlygirls
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Post by swirlygirls on Jul 27, 2015 9:53:41 GMT -8
Right before I saw the link to Tim Heintz, I called Blue Moon Caravans in Missoula, Montana. They were on a list of appraisers (who knew what they were doing) that Tin Can Tourists had on their site. He told me he'd review all my photos and give me an appraisal for $25.00. I asked him three times. Yup, $25. He said that's not how he makes his living so he doesn't want to charge much. Be still my heart. Of course he didn't say anything about giving me a 10-page report.Just as an aside, he also said most insurance companies don't like to go over $15,000 agreed value on these little trailers. I plan on using him unless someone can give me a reason I shouldn't. I don't quite have all my photos organized yet so I have some time. Here's his link: www.bluemooncaravans.com/i263ytb6co6aocpvkov9tn1d4mw5db
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jodybitzz
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Post by jodybitzz on Jul 30, 2015 11:00:49 GMT -8
Right before I saw the link to Tim Heintz, I called Blue Moon Caravans in Missoula, Montana. They were on a list of appraisers (who knew what they were doing) that Tin Can Tourists had on their site. He told me he'd review all my photos and give me an appraisal for $25.00. I asked him three times. Yup, $25. He said that's not how he makes his living so he doesn't want to charge much. Be still my heart. Of course he didn't say anything about giving me a 10-page report.Just as an aside, he also said most insurance companies don't like to go over $15,000 agreed value on these little trailers. I plan on using him unless someone can give me a reason I shouldn't. I don't quite have all my photos organized yet so I have some time. Here's his link: www.bluemooncaravans.com/i263ytb6co6aocpvkov9tn1d4mw5dbI'm going to pretend that you didn't say $25 dollars!!
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