Value of a totaled GW

[cself]

Has anyone had a GW totaled out by insurance and been able to argue for a higher value than what insurance was offering? If so, mind sharing some details of how you did it? I'm going through this right now and tried pointing them to some of the higher (yet still reasonably) priced 91 GWs but they only want to look at the super low end. I'm not asking them to look at the wagonmaster or anything like that, but just what people are asking for them on autotrader, craigslist, etc. Any insight into this process is appreciated.

[lost1]

I have no experience with GWs in aprticular, but when my XJ was totaled my arguing points (that worked) were the replacement suspension (lucky for me the OME lift kit is listed as a replacement part, not an upgrade), the rebuilt motor and trans with shop paperwork to back it up with dates, mileage, etc. Basically, any repair work I'd done was no good but anything that could be documented worked in my favor for proving the quality of the vehicle. Aftermarket parts will probably be a no-go so far as improving value.

Disclaimer: jsut my one and only experience with a totaled vehicle.

[DerekTJeep]

Back in 1988, my Grandpa's 1988 Grand Wagoneer was totalled in an accident. Yes, it was!! He got insurance settlement and then bought a brand new 1989. I did not think to ask about those stuffs. I was only 11 back then, so why would I care? My Grandpa passed away in 1999. I don't think Grandma would remember anything about this. I am pretty sure Grandpa got market value for it.

I'm guessing that you would get market value for your vehicle. That is what happened when I got my 1990 XJ up in flames back in 1999.

I think the best thing is to find out what Grand Wagoneer sold for on E BAY for the last 3 months. If you don't know how to do this search function, I can walk you through the steps.

[jeeperjoe]

you need to establish that in advance, with youre carrier, the estimated value, and or comparable replacement value, on your policy, they dont give a rats --- about the payoffs, relative to book value only, the longer it takes to settle, may give a better payoff, good luck

[serehill]

It may be a little late now but first I have 10K insurance coverage on mine. Second I have a three rind binder with clear slips in it full of everyreceipt including the origianl purchase of the vehicle.

I had a 1996 DOT camaro that I did the same way & My wife made a left turn in front of two trucks that totaled it:( . The Insurance company for the 1st truck was responsible & the insurance company wanted to give me a 3rd of what it was worth. I showed them the receipts & how much I had it covered for & told them that I would just turn it over to a Lawyer & let him get the legal fees from them & they paid right up with a check 5 days later. It's hard for them to argue it's worth when I have it insured for 10K.
Standard insurance will not let you declare it's worth. You can still get a lawyer & do better.

[cself]

I had a standard insurance policy and didn't declare it's worth, but I do have plenty of receipts including purchase price. I'll try that method to see if I can recoup my cost in it. A guy can hope right? :rolleyes:

[freeincolorado]

I was hit back in November of last year. The insurance company (Progressive) looked at NADA price guides and deducted for rust (go figure). They offered around $2500 if they kept it and $2100 if I bought it back (I did).

[CJ the noisemaker]

Are Grand Wagoneers easy to total?

[freeincolorado]

Are Grand Wagoneers easy to total?
Yes, bodywork is expensive.

[freeincolorado]

This is all it took for Progressive to total out my Jeep.
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/freeincolorado/IMAG0050.jpg

This was a result of lack of driver experience and too much speed for conditions. The girl that hit me was 19 and only had a learners permit.

[PompadourAMC]

Almost 2 years ago now I lost my 82 limited to a rearending teenage girl. completely bent my frame, and i drove it the whole next week before they came to pick it up! Anyway, she was insured through progressive and when their adjuster came out to look at my jeep she agreed that it was worth over the low amount. I didnt ask for the average... but still it booked at 4500. and thats what I got no questions. you need to argue the site they determine value by (either kbb or nada) and have them stick to the descriptions by them of high average and low RETAIL! good luck!

[Badawg]

Comps are your friends. Geat as many high price sales you can find and then show your value as that, not blue book.

[vintagetrks]

This is all it took for Progressive to total out my Jeep.
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/freeincolorado/IMAG0050.jpg

This was a result of lack of driver experience and too much speed for conditions. The girl that hit me was 19 and only had a learners permit.

If they are offering you over 2,000 for it I would take it and fix the jeep. It looks like something you could do in a day with a fender and some other miscellaneous parts. Is the frame bent? Heck if you don't want it I'll buy it from the insurance company.

[freeincolorado]

If they are offering you over 2,000 for it I would take it and fix the jeep. It looks like something you could do in a day with a fender and some other miscellaneous parts. Is the frame bent? Heck if you don't want it I'll buy it from the insurance company. Oh, I bought it back from the insurance company. I looked around to find a new one to swap the drivetrain over to, but decided to fix it instead. I pulled a front clip off of a '76 N/T Cherokee and swapped it on. So, I now have a razor grill!:thumbsup:http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/freeincolorado/IMAG0101.jpg
I got enough from the insurance company to fix the damage and buynew wheels and tires. Surprising, since the only other car I had totaled was a '73 Pontiac Catalina that I got hosed on.

[PompadourAMC]

sweet deal! better grill anyway and the waggy lives! sweet falcon btw.... my buddy and I crammed a 2.3 turbo in one once....:thumbsup:

[freeincolorado]

sweet deal! better grill anyway and the waggy lives! sweet falcon btw.... my buddy and I crammed a 2.3 turbo in one once....:thumbsup:
The Falcon is my Dad's. It has a a 347 stroker and T5 in it. Disk brakes all around and a Granada front end. It is a monster.

[CJ the noisemaker]

This is all it took for Progressive to total out my Jeep.
http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad345/freeincolorado/IMAG0050.jpg

This was a result of lack of driver experience and too much speed for conditions. The girl that hit me was 19 and only had a learners permit.19 and had a learners? pfft, I know a girl who is almost 20 and still doesn't have even that!
I got mine when I was 16, and became licensed at 16 1/2

[freeincolorado]

19 and had a learners? pfft, I know a girl who is almost 20 and still doesn't have even that!
I got mine when I was 16, and became licensed at 16 1/2
I guess driving isn't a priority for some. I knew a couple of guys that didn't get their license until they were in their 30's. I got my permit when I was 15 1/2 and my license at 16. I wanted to drive and getting my license was a priority. 16 years later and I still enjoy driving:thumbsup: .