What's my Chero worth... Insurance wants to screw me.

[TPICherokee]

Help?!!?? I have a problem. I have a 79 Cherokee and I am having a dispute with an insurance company over its value. A guy pulled out in front of me and was temporarily in my way, but he moved very quickly once I hit him.

Here is my dilemma: His insurance company asked my what my vehicle was worth and I said 5-6,000. They basically laughed at me. I see them all of the time in the paper that aren't very nice for $4,000, but I can't seem to find any now that I need one.

Could someone please help me by finding ads and stuff that show some 79 Cherokees that are selling in the $4,000 and up range. This would be very helpful. They are trying to total it out for $2,000 but since the frame is a little tweaked $2,000 won't cover much.

BTW, my Cherokee is rust free and was perfect before this happened and what I've done to it is below.

Thanks in advance for your help. E-mail me if you find anything. I have a fax machine if this would work for someone.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I would love to think my rigs are worth what I think they should be, truth of the matter is they are not. I am pouring an unbelievable amount of $$$$ into my 70 Wag. I made some inquiries with the insurance people, here is what I was told. I want it insured for $18,000 since that is what I will have into it. I would have to have it appraised and pictures of it documentation of the work and value of ALL accessories. I ask them in the event of a total loss, what my 70 would be paid out at the answer $600.00 or so. I can see their point because not all 70 Wagoneers or 79 Cherokees are in any kind of shape that would have any value over $1000.00. I did a Kelly Blue Book on a 81 Chero, Bluebook does not go back to 79. This is a rig on a dealers lot. This being the highest possible value for this rig. Without an excessive value policy on your rig you will get the market value for your rig no matter what you have done to it. I had posted this info before when Stuka had his wreck. I had mentioned it there as well, CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENTS and find out what you will be compensated in the event of TOTAL LOSS. You will be surprised. Take a look at the rig I picked to price in your town look at its VALUE there is no way they would give you what you think your rig is worth. you have to understand these people look at year make model and that is it. Would not matter if it was painted with 24 carat gold. I do know mine will be insured correctly after it is complete.

Blue Book Used Car Retail Report
Washington • December 24, 2001

1981 Jeep Cherokee S Sport Utility 2D

Engine: V8 360
Trans: Automatic
Drive: 4 Wheel Drive
Mileage: 50,000

Equipment
Chief
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Tilt Wheel
Cruise Control
AM/FM Stereo
Cassette
Roof Rack

Retail Value $2,905
Suggested retail represents the price a dealership might ask for this make and model vehicle. This represents a fully reconditioned vehicle in excellent condition with a clean title history. This retail price is not a trade-in or private-party value, but rather assumes that a dealer has absorbed the cost of making the vehicle ready for sale, reconditioning, advertising, sales commissions, arranging for financing and insurance and standing behind the vehicle for any mechanical or safety problems. Many late model vehicles at this price have passed an inspection program or carry a warranty. Actual dealer selling price may vary from this price. :eek: :(

[joe]

Unfortuneatly like CJM said you needed to get your ducks in a row "before" you crashed the car :(
If you have all the receipts for the extra stuff your Chero has you "might" be able to get a bit more from them but again the mods/add-ons should have been insured(and rates adjusted accordingly) before you crashed. Good luck guy but I doubt you'll get more than what an average run of the mill 79 Chero is worth especially from "the other guys" insurance comany :(
Sorry it ain't what ya wanted to hear but you really do need to find out ahead of time what the real value of what you're insuring is.

[WudreauxTWW]

Brent, my condolences... I know how much blood, sweat, and beers you had in that rig. Hopefully, you will be able to convince the insurance dudes make things right for you.

[killroy]

Sorry to hear about the Chero, maybe they will pay you off and still let you keep the chero for parts. how did the speed bump fair?

[Panther]

I feel ya man, I just went thru the same thing a few months ago but the a scrambler. Ins co does not factor the rarity of a vehicle and I ended up settling for 3000 even with double that in reciepts. I posted a similar question and got alot of helpful info from cj8 folks but the same applies here. Check out the thread - http://pub3.ezboard.com/fjeepscramblerdiscussions.showMessage?topicID=2012 .topic

The moral of the story is get a realistic appraisal before anything like this can happen so you are not put into a position were all your work and $ go out the window.

[Rogue]

check out hemmings dot com they have classic car prices, i just checked my 74 cherokee recently there and if i remember right it booked between 2 - 5000 depending on condition but check it out and print it up, good luck insurance companies suck

[Marvin Gates]

Brent, I can't believe this has happened to your Chero, I have had it on my computer screen as my wall paper for a long time. I thought it was one of the best engineered, and thought out FSJ's I have ever seen. Is that your J truck that is off to the side in the picture that is in "readers rigs"? It would be a lot of work but you could put everything out of this one into another Chero and all wouldn't be lost. It wouldn't be the same, but close!
Sorry to hear about the unfortunate happenings. Marvin

[Joe J-Truck]

I'd say you're jeep is worth at least 5-6K with those kind of sweet mods; TPI 350, 700r4, 6" lift, 35s, etc.,... sweet! I'd say the engine and trans alone are worth 2K.
If it were me, I'd weep and mourn for awhile and then try to get as much insurance $ as I could and still keep the vehicle. Don't let them have all those *****in' parts! Score a new frame and front clip cheap from your trusty IFSJA bros... and get busy swappin!
A cool grand would easily be enough to get the parts you need, and I'm sure the WA state crew will help you swap the body onto a new frame. I'll be ready to help if I'm in town!
How about throwing on a body lift while we're at it?

[River Beast]

Sorry to hear about your FSJ... :(

I do have some good advice for you... It helped out Stuka when I gave him the link... his was worth close to $4500...
http://www2.nadaguides.com/

go here and type in your values under classics...

here is an example... I took a guess...make sure you print it out and stuf it down their throats!!! :D

1979


CHEROKEE
Model: 4X4 2 DOOR STATION WAGON
Weight: 3,653
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: $7,328
Low Retail: $1,625
Average Retail: $4,000
High Retail: $5,500

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Optional Equipment
Add-Full Size Jeep 401 V8 Engine: 20 %

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Totals
Total Low Retail: $1,950
Total Average Retail: $4,800
Total High Retail: $6,600



good luck...

Let us know what happens and what the NADA of your FSJ is...

[Nagy]

Try printing the header page on ebay. That will illustrate the market values in one perspective. I would also print off the header page for Wagonmaster.com. He routinely sells Wagoneers for high dollars.

[TPICherokee]

Wow! Thanks for all of the help! I am a little worried what is going to happen next, but I have lots of time to fight the insurance company so I think I will come out a winner... What I am going to do is call an independant appraiser and get it appraised. Once there is a legal appraisal the insurance company can't do much, I think.

Marvin, I am a little stunned about what you said about my Chero, thanks a lot!

Thanks again and if you guys think of anything else, let me know, I am open to suggestions! I will keep you posted.

Thanks!