Miatapower List Archive

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Abraham Mara" <(email redacted)>

Oh yeah... That reminds me - much as I like the game.....

My car is now worth (to me?) significantly more than I bought it for. More
than twice, for sure. And the insurance company doens't know about it.

Since over half the people in the area are uninsured (and quite a few are
unliscenced) I need to get insurance equal to the value of the car. If it
gets totalled, the 5k or so they give me will not buy me another 2000 miata
with 40k miles, a full FMII, clutch, cooling, shifter, headwork, rods,
suspension, wheels, etc etc etc ad naseum.

I can't be the only person in this situation. What do you folks do? There
has to be a way to get coverage for a car equal to it's worth and not what
half the KBB value is the week the insurance guy decides to look it up.
-Abe.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Russ" <(email redacted)>


Ahh... I have not yet gotten GT4 ingrained in my head to mean Gran Turismo
4!

I'm more of a Grand Theft Auto kinda guy.

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Lee Bohon" <(email redacted)>

You might be better off by putting some cash away in an account and
basically build up your own insurance funds. Other thing to consider is
that if it gets totalled, you'll probably still be able to salvage a lot
from the car (turbo, etc).

Lee

-----Original Message-----
From: Abraham Mara [mailto:(email redacted)]
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 7:37 PM
To: (email redacted)
Cc: (email redacted)
Subject: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
options...)


Oh yeah... That reminds me - much as I like the game.....

My car is now worth (to me?) significantly more than I bought it for.
More
than twice, for sure. And the insurance company doens't know about it.

Since over half the people in the area are uninsured (and quite a few
are
unliscenced) I need to get insurance equal to the value of the car. If
it
gets totalled, the 5k or so they give me will not buy me another 2000
miata
with 40k miles, a full FMII, clutch, cooling, shifter, headwork, rods,
suspension, wheels, etc etc etc ad naseum.

I can't be the only person in this situation. What do you folks do?
There
has to be a way to get coverage for a car equal to it's worth and not
what
half the KBB value is the week the insurance guy decides to look it up.
-Abe.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Russ" <(email redacted)>


Ahh... I have not yet gotten GT4 ingrained in my head to mean Gran
Turismo 4!

I'm more of a Grand Theft Auto kinda guy.

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Tom" <(email redacted)>





----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Bohon" <(email redacted)>
To: "'Abraham Mara'" <(email redacted)>; <(email redacted)>
Cc: <(email redacted)>
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 9:26 AM
Subject: RE: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
options...)


> You might be better off by putting some cash away in an account and
> basically build up your own insurance funds. Other thing to consider is
> that if it gets totalled, you'll probably still be able to salvage a lot
> from the car (turbo, etc).
>
> Lee
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Abraham Mara [mailto:(email redacted)]
> Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 7:37 PM
> To: (email redacted)
> Cc: (email redacted)
> Subject: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
> options...)
>
>
> Oh yeah... That reminds me - much as I like the game.....
>
> My car is now worth (to me?) significantly more than I bought it for.
> More
> than twice, for sure. And the insurance company doens't know about it.
>
> Since over half the people in the area are uninsured (and quite a few
> are
> unliscenced) I need to get insurance equal to the value of the car. If
> it
> gets totalled, the 5k or so they give me will not buy me another 2000
> miata
> with 40k miles, a full FMII, clutch, cooling, shifter, headwork, rods,
> suspension, wheels, etc etc etc ad naseum.
>
> I can't be the only person in this situation. What do you folks do?
> There
> has to be a way to get coverage for a car equal to it's worth and not
> what
> half the KBB value is the week the insurance guy decides to look it up.

Putting money aside might be okay, you just don't want to get hit in the
first month :-).
My Miata had a turbo and nitrous system, along with other upgrades. The
value of the car was much more than the book value on a 1990 Miata. I just
took a chance and drove it without the additional insurance.

Last November I purchased a V-8 Miata and the purchase price plus the
upgrades greatly exceeded the book value of a 1991 Miata. I couldn't find
classic car insurance for a Miata and USAA could only insure it through
their old car program and the car had to be 15 years old to do that. I went
to an independent insurance agent and purchased a policy that is a stated
value policy. Both the insurer and I agree that the car is worth $22,000. If
it is totaled, that is what I'll get. There is another type of insurance
where you declare a value and the car is insured for that value but if you
have a wreck you have to prove that value. Just save your receipts boys :-).
It cost me $1,200 a year but it is worth the peace of mind that I have.

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Fadi Tara" <(email redacted)>

Reciepts and pictures are your friend.

Just an FYI; most insurance adjusters will frown heavily on performance
parts like turbos . I've even heard of people not getting their claims
because they were at fault and the car had a (aftermarket)turbo, then
dropped. regardless of what happened. Talk to your insurance agent, if you
have one. Not an adjuster.

If you're car is totaled, it's up to the insurance adjuster what your car is
worth. However, you can negotiate! If there is no way you could get
another car like yours for bluebook, you can get more. most people just
take what they get and move on. No, you can fair market value for your
totaled car. So if your car is only valued at $8k and there isn't another
one, same year/mileage, within 50 miles for less than $10k you can
negotiate to get that $10k.

Note: it might be a little harder to do this if you don't have an agent and
your insurance company just has a 1-800 number..

-Fadi

>From: "Abraham Mara" <(email redacted)>
>Reply-To: "Abraham Mara" <(email redacted)>
>To: <(email redacted)>
>CC: <(email redacted)>
>Subject: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
>options...)
>Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 16:37:24 -0800
>
>Oh yeah... That reminds me - much as I like the game.....
>
>My car is now worth (to me?) significantly more than I bought it for. More
>than twice, for sure. And the insurance company doens't know about it.
>
>Since over half the people in the area are uninsured (and quite a few are
>unliscenced) I need to get insurance equal to the value of the car. If it
>gets totalled, the 5k or so they give me will not buy me another 2000 miata
>with 40k miles, a full FMII, clutch, cooling, shifter, headwork, rods,
>suspension, wheels, etc etc etc ad naseum.
>
>I can't be the only person in this situation. What do you folks do? There
>has to be a way to get coverage for a car equal to it's worth and not what
>half the KBB value is the week the insurance guy decides to look it up.
> -Abe.
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Russ" <(email redacted)>
>
>
>Ahh... I have not yet gotten GT4 ingrained in my head to mean Gran Turismo
>4!
>
>I'm more of a Grand Theft Auto kinda guy.
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Abraham Mara" <(email redacted)>

That's just what I'm worried about - all said and done, my car has to have
17k into it or so. I bought it for less than 8. Since it' a salvage title
car, really, what are they going to give me for it? 5 is where they might
start. I could see getting 10, but it would be a HUGE hit, and there's no
way I could replace it for that. I guess I'll have to look around. Thanks
all for the advice.

1200 a year is a bit steep, but at least - like you said - you know what
you're getting. I hate this not finding out until after the fact how much
the policy is worth. It took me over 6 months to finnaly get all the cash
out of my ex's insurance company. They started off at half the value of the
car. It was 6 months old and had 800 miles on it.
-Abe.

-----Original Message-----
From: Fadi Tara [mailto:(email redacted)]

Reciepts and pictures are your friend.

Just an FYI; most insurance adjusters will frown heavily on performance
parts like turbos . I've even heard of people not getting their claims
because they were at fault and the car had a (aftermarket)turbo, then
dropped. regardless of what happened. Talk to your insurance agent, if you

have one. Not an adjuster.

If you're car is totaled, it's up to the insurance adjuster what your car is

worth. However, you can negotiate! If there is no way you could get
another car like yours for bluebook, you can get more. most people just
take what they get and move on. No, you can fair market value for your
totaled car. So if your car is only valued at $8k and there isn't another
one, same year/mileage, within 50 miles for less than $10k you can
negotiate to get that $10k.

Note: it might be a little harder to do this if you don't have an agent and

your insurance company just has a 1-800 number..

-Fadi

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted)

My solution was to switch to Liberty Mutual and run a declared $15,000 plus
$2500 in electronics coverage. You pay for that much coverage, so 'proving
the value' is rather meaningless.. you said it's worth 15, you pay for 15,
so if they need to pay you there shouldn't be any argument. Stolen or
totaled I get the full thing, if they slash the top and manage to remove
all my electronics (good luck with that!) it's covered too. BTW, ECU is
not electronics.. gauges/stereo/alarm is.

Not all insurers will do it, basically treat it like a custom show car, and
explain it that way. State Farm for example won't allow a declared value
policy on a non-classic car.

I do second the document it thing, although it did me absolutely -0- good
with State Farm, they didn't look at a SINGLE THING when the 97 was
totaled. Bastards.

Wallyman




"Abraham Mara"
<AbeFM@mad.scient
ist.com> To
<(email redacted)>
02/25/2005 07:37 cc
PM <(email redacted)>
Subject
Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades
Please respond to (Was: Chassis stiffening
"Abraham Mara" options...)
<AbeFM@mad.scient
ist.com>








Oh yeah... That reminds me - much as I like the game.....

My car is now worth (to me?) significantly more than I bought it for. More

than twice, for sure. And the insurance company doens't know about it.

Since over half the people in the area are uninsured (and quite a few are
unliscenced) I need to get insurance equal to the value of the car. If it
gets totalled, the 5k or so they give me will not buy me another 2000 miata

with 40k miles, a full FMII, clutch, cooling, shifter, headwork, rods,
suspension, wheels, etc etc etc ad naseum.

I can't be the only person in this situation. What do you folks do? There

has to be a way to get coverage for a car equal to it's worth and not what
half the KBB value is the week the insurance guy decides to look it up.
-Abe.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Russ" <(email redacted)>


Ahh... I have not yet gotten GT4 ingrained in my head to mean Gran Turismo
4!

I'm more of a Grand Theft Auto kinda guy.

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted)

FWIW, with State Farm you got 2 tries (at least I did). The made an offer
(bluebook only, $9700 for a 97 Montego), I said no and provided
counter-offer ($14-16K) with backup from a local specialty car dealer, my
agents dealer actually, the made a final offer and it was
take-it-or-go-to-arbitrator.. I took it, because arbitration would have
a)cost money (both sides hire a guy and share a 3rd guy) and b) I honestly
believe I would have lost in the end.

I can't tell you how relaxed I am with a declared value policy, it relieves
a lot of the stress having already been thru a total crash and knowing that
the real pain starts AFTER the wreck is home and you meet the adjuster.

Oh, and one last bit.. don't tell them you want to buy the car back until
the VERY end... totally screwed my negotiations. Once he knew I wanted it,
he hammered me hard.

Wallyman




"Fadi Tara"
<ibnfawzi@hotmail
.com> To
(email redacted),
02/26/2005 11:07 (email redacted)
AM cc
(email redacted)
Subject
RE: Insurance! was Re: Power
upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
options...)










Reciepts and pictures are your friend.

Just an FYI; most insurance adjusters will frown heavily on performance
parts like turbos . I've even heard of people not getting their claims
because they were at fault and the car had a (aftermarket)turbo, then
dropped. regardless of what happened. Talk to your insurance agent, if
you
have one. Not an adjuster.

If you're car is totaled, it's up to the insurance adjuster what your car
is
worth. However, you can negotiate! If there is no way you could get
another car like yours for bluebook, you can get more. most people just
take what they get and move on. No, you can fair market value for your
totaled car. So if your car is only valued at $8k and there isn't another
one, same year/mileage, within 50 miles for less than $10k you can
negotiate to get that $10k.

Note: it might be a little harder to do this if you don't have an agent
and
your insurance company just has a 1-800 number..

-Fadi

>From: "Abraham Mara" <(email redacted)>
>Reply-To: "Abraham Mara" <(email redacted)>
>To: <(email redacted)>
>CC: <(email redacted)>
>Subject: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
>options...)
>Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 16:37:24 -0800
>
>Oh yeah... That reminds me - much as I like the game.....
>
>My car is now worth (to me?) significantly more than I bought it for.
More
>than twice, for sure. And the insurance company doens't know about it.
>
>Since over half the people in the area are uninsured (and quite a few are
>unliscenced) I need to get insurance equal to the value of the car. If it

>gets totalled, the 5k or so they give me will not buy me another 2000
miata
>with 40k miles, a full FMII, clutch, cooling, shifter, headwork, rods,
>suspension, wheels, etc etc etc ad naseum.
>
>I can't be the only person in this situation. What do you folks do?
There
>has to be a way to get coverage for a car equal to it's worth and not what

>half the KBB value is the week the insurance guy decides to look it up.
> -Abe.
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Russ" <(email redacted)>
>
>
>Ahh... I have not yet gotten GT4 ingrained in my head to mean Gran Turismo
>4!
>
>I'm more of a Grand Theft Auto kinda guy.
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!
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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Abraham Mara" <(email redacted)>

My father had (has) a VERY custom chopper - yamaha roadstar warrior - with
maybe 15-20k of mods on it. When he wrecked it, they told him it was only
insured as a stock bike, so they paid him something silly like 5k. Maybe 8.

When he went to buy the wreck, they said "This wreck is worth at least 20k,
even given the shape it's in. So you can buy it from us for that".

Can you imagine the balls these guys have? They must have special chairs or
something. Pay him what it's worth on paper, but then don't let him buy it
back at "on paper" prices....
-Abe.
P.S. Thanks for the tip - I'll have to go shopping soon. Liberty sounds
like a good way to go.
----- Original Message -----
From: <(email redacted)>

> Oh, and one last bit.. don't tell them you want to buy the car back until
> the VERY end... totally screwed my negotiations. Once he knew I wanted
> it,
> he hammered me hard.
>

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Robert Mangas" <(email redacted)>


Are there mileage/useage restrictions?


>From: (email redacted)


>
>My solution was to switch to Liberty Mutual and run a declared $15,000 plus
>$2500 in electronics coverage.

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted)

Not specifically, but separately.. like normal. I drive my Topaz as my
commuter car and the Miata is a 'pleasure only' limited mileage car,
7500/yr IIRC. Plus I drop it to PL/PD (storage) in the winter usually,
from Nov to March.

Wally




"Robert Mangas"
<porter_t_dog@hot
mail.com> To
(email redacted),
02/28/2005 04:15 (email redacted)
PM cc
(email redacted),
(email redacted)
Subject
Re: Insurance! was Re: Power
upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
options...)











Are there mileage/useage restrictions?


>From: (email redacted)


>
>My solution was to switch to Liberty Mutual and run a declared $15,000
plus
>$2500 in electronics coverage.

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: "Robert Mangas" <(email redacted)>

Hmmm.....

How much is it, if you don't mind my asking?

First year I had my miata I put 20k on it :)

>From: (email redacted)
>To: "Robert Mangas" <(email redacted)>
>CC: (email redacted),(email redacted),(email redacted)
>Subject: Re: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
>options...)
>Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:31:25 -0500
>
>Not specifically, but separately.. like normal. I drive my Topaz as my
>commuter car and the Miata is a 'pleasure only' limited mileage car,
>7500/yr IIRC. Plus I drop it to PL/PD (storage) in the winter usually,
>from Nov to March.
>
>Wally
>
>
>
>
> "Robert Mangas"
> <porter_t_dog@hot
> mail.com> To
> (email redacted),
> 02/28/2005 04:15 (email redacted)
> PM cc
> (email redacted),
> (email redacted)
> Subject
> Re: Insurance! was Re: Power
> upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
> options...)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Are there mileage/useage restrictions?
>
>
> >From: (email redacted)
>
>
> >
> >My solution was to switch to Liberty Mutual and run a declared $15,000
>plus
> >$2500 in electronics coverage.
>
>
>
>

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Chris Messmer <(email redacted)>

my experiences may be the exception to the rule ...... but i have never
told Allstate about upgrades to my miata and on 2 different claims (both
my fault) they have replaced some of these upgraded items....



2 NACA duct headlight covers
2 front grill mount radar antennas (for a bel remote mount radar detector)
2 high capacity radiators
1 intercooler
1 set tsi's (turn signal intake scoops)
2 front lip spoilers

after the first accident where i punted a RAV4 off of the freeway (and
they spent 15K fixing my car) someone from Allstate told me that they
would cover everything but re-rate my car (as a high performance vehicle
or something) ...... my rates have NEVER gone up .... even after the
second claim


Chris

"Robert Mangas" <(email redacted)>
02/28/2005 01:53 PM

To
(email redacted)
cc
(email redacted), (email redacted), (email redacted)
Subject
Re: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening options...)






Hmmm.....

How much is it, if you don't mind my asking?

First year I had my miata I put 20k on it :)

>From: (email redacted)
>To: "Robert Mangas" <(email redacted)>
>CC: (email redacted),(email redacted),(email redacted)
>Subject: Re: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
>options...)
>Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:31:25 -0500
>
>Not specifically, but separately.. like normal. I drive my Topaz as my
>commuter car and the Miata is a 'pleasure only' limited mileage car,
>7500/yr IIRC. Plus I drop it to PL/PD (storage) in the winter usually,
>from Nov to March.
>
>Wally
>
>
>
>
> "Robert Mangas"
> <porter_t_dog@hot
> mail.com> To
> (email redacted),
> 02/28/2005 04:15 (email redacted)
> PM cc
> (email redacted),
> (email redacted)
> Subject
> Re: Insurance! was Re: Power
> upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
> options...)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Are there mileage/useage restrictions?
>
>
> >From: (email redacted)
>
>
> >
> >My solution was to switch to Liberty Mutual and run a declared $15,000
>plus
> >$2500 in electronics coverage.
>
>
>
>

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted)

I'd say exception. ;) Allstate dropped me after I got 3 tickets in 6 months
back when I had the 'evil' Trans Am. ;) Never had a claim with them.

In a claim via AAA they shorted me based on their estimates. Progressive
(high risk carrier post Allstate) was VERY good, and covered every penny of
the claims (had a couple) but this was on doing the repairs, i.e. Wally got
no money the car got repaired.. The AAA guy cut me a check as I was
literally on my way to sell the car and someone had trashed the paint down
the whole side on the 99 Satty. I got shorted 200 of 800, but whatever
since I sold it 20 minutes later. I dropped the selling price by the check
amount and was fine.

I got State Farm to cover the 97 when it was totaled by really making a
pest out of myself, but I got lucky as well. My agent was a BMW freak and
had a dealership that he bought from all the time that wrote me a 14-16K
post-accident appraisal that helped. State Farm's policy covers 'anything
bolted to the car', so the FM-II, wheels, etc etc etc. I made very
specific note of it when I got the policy knowing that it could be a
problem and they ALWAYS said if it was bolted to the car, it was covered as
part of the base policy. When I insured the Sub for a short time, I was
VERY specific about it given the poor outcome on the 97, and changed to
Liberty shortly thereafter when I bought the house.

Oh, FWIW, those car rates I posted are based on a dual (home and car)
policy and a 10% discount due to a Credit Union membership.. Julie is the
primary on the Sunfire and I am ont eh Topaz and Miata. The only commuter
is the Topaz, since she doesn't work hers is pleasure use only too, I
believe.

Wally




Chris Messmer
<(email redacted)
m> To
"Robert Mangas"
02/28/2005 05:13 <(email redacted)>
PM cc
(email redacted),
(email redacted),
(email redacted),
(email redacted)
Subject
Re: Insurance! was Re: Power
upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
options...)











my experiences may be the exception to the rule ...... but i have never
told Allstate about upgrades to my miata and on 2 different claims (both my
fault) they have replaced some of these upgraded items....



2 NACA duct headlight covers
2 front grill mount radar antennas (for a bel remote mount radar detector)
2 high capacity radiators
1 intercooler
1 set tsi's (turn signal intake scoops)
2 front lip spoilers

after the first accident where i punted a RAV4 off of the freeway (and they
spent 15K fixing my car) someone from Allstate told me that they would
cover everything but re-rate my car (as a high performance vehicle or
something) ...... my rates have NEVER gone up .... even after the second
claim


Chris

"Robert Mangas"
<(email redacted)>

To
02/28/2005 01:53 PM (email redacted)
cc
(email redacted),
(email redacted),
(email redacted)
Subject
Re: Insurance! was Re: Power
upgrades (Was: Chassis
stiffening options...)











Hmmm.....

How much is it, if you don't mind my asking?

First year I had my miata I put 20k on it :)

>From: (email redacted)
>To: "Robert Mangas" <(email redacted)>
>CC: (email redacted),(email redacted),(email redacted)
>Subject: Re: Insurance! was Re: Power upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
>options...)
>Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 16:31:25 -0500
>
>Not specifically, but separately.. like normal. I drive my Topaz as my
>commuter car and the Miata is a 'pleasure only' limited mileage car,
>7500/yr IIRC. Plus I drop it to PL/PD (storage) in the winter usually,
>from Nov to March.
>
>Wally
>
>
>
>
> "Robert Mangas"
> <porter_t_dog@hot
> mail.com>
To
> (email redacted),
> 02/28/2005 04:15 (email redacted)
> PM
cc
> (email redacted),
> (email redacted)
>
Subject
> Re: Insurance! was Re: Power
> upgrades (Was: Chassis stiffening
> options...)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Are there mileage/useage restrictions?
>
>
> >From: (email redacted)
>
>
> >
> >My solution was to switch to Liberty Mutual and run a declared $15,000
>plus
> >$2500 in electronics coverage.
>
>
>
>