| Author |
Message |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 10:34 am: | |
Well, I picked up the check from the insurance company (Progressive) yesterday and overall I am happy with the way they handled the claim.
It went very smoothly and with no hassle as has been experienced by many others in trying to get a fair settlement. Based on this alone, I would not hesitate to recommend them. I did not have a declared value policy and I was really concerned as to how they would settle the claim.
They asked for any documentation on the original bus purchase price and any upgrades I had made that would assist them in arriving at a fair market value. The bus was completely converted when I bought her in 1992. I did have some of the receipts and also included guesstimates on other improvements or upgrades I had made. To name a few, I had installed an 8V92 and Hd740 tranny to replace the tired 6V92 installed when I purchased the bus. I also had it repainted, installed new mirrors, awnings, cruise, Alcoa wheels and new tires that were only a couple of weeks old. Automatic seeking satellite system, new TV’s, VCR, Cell phone, new upholstery on all chairs and couches, new carpet, new blinds and many other goodies.
The outcome, according to Progressive, was that most of these improvements did not really increase the overall book value of the bus, but did help maintain the original sales value. Their reasoning was that the upgrades were either creature comforts and/or normal maintenance costs associated with 12 years of operation and use. I could not really argue with that reasoning, because I could have quite comfortably utilized her as purchased with adding the goodies.
The only disappointment I had was that I was not able to retain salvage rights. Due to potential liability problems, especially on a vehicle that was declared a total loss due to fire, they were required to sell her to an actual salvage company. This is a pity, because with a new interior she would be in excellent overall condition I believe. I did start the genset and it works fine. Also all the plumbing and electrical in the bays were not damaged in any way. I started her up and everything worked fine and I drove her a few miles to my son in laws shop and everything worked normally. I think she would be an excellent candidate for restoring for someone who wants a good shell with every thing done except for the rear interior. I really believe the front three quarters of the bus could actually be cleaned up since the damage appears to be smoke damage only.
They have not sold her to a salvage company yet, but when I find out who it is I will post the information here in case anyone is interested in trying to purchase her from the salvage company.
The final outcome is that they paid me an amount that is very close to what I paid for her over ten years ago. I believe I would have been hard pressed to have sold her on the open market for that amount. I had really expected an offer of 25-30% of the purchase price so I am quite happy with the outcome, so again I can recommend Progressive based on the above.
Richard
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DonTX/KS (66.82.9.18)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 11:06 am: | |
Thanks for sharing that Richard. |
Jeff Pritchard (Jeffpritchard) (68.8.222.153)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 11:11 am: | |
Richard,
Glad to hear you got your money back out of the coach.
As for someone grabbing it from salvage, wouldn't it be nearly impossible to get the burned smell out of the coach? Just thinkin out loud. Not intending to dis your bus.
best,
jp |
Jim Huston (66.74.2.17)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 11:48 am: | |
Jeff - you wil be surprised at getting the smell out. I have two MCI 102EL3's in my shop. Both had been burnt extensively -- one in front and one in rear. As log as you strip out the entire interior the smell is gone!! Shop does not smell at all.
Jim |
BrianMCI96A3 (69.34.170.181)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 12:52 pm: | |
Jeff, seems to me if you are talking about a home, with drywall and lumber framing, a porous smoke absorbing strucure, then yes smoke from a fire can be a bear to remove, but it can be done.
Far easier to remove smell from a coach with an underlying metal framework, I think.
Brian |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 1:38 pm: | |
I recently talked to a friend who had a fire in an upstairs apartment. He only replaced the burned portions and he stated that within several weeks all the smoke odor was completely gone.
I have also heard that there are some chemicals of some kind to remove the smoke odor, but I have never seen anything like this.
Richard |
Scott Whitney (69.35.6.233)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 10:17 pm: | |
My parents nearly lost their house in the SD fire. They did lose the back yard except for a palm tree and a few odd plants. Many houses in the neighborhood, including two directly across the street, were burned to the ground. A company came in and cleaned, laundered, scrubed, washed, dry cleaned, and polished everything in the house - carpet replaced. The smell is pretty much gone now.
Scott |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.208.215)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 11:12 pm: | |
Scott: Glad things turned out ok for them. I read that "in the SD fire" and didn't know if u meant San Diego or South Dakota until I read the "palm tree inthe back yard" part. |
Tony (64.215.196.110)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 5:47 am: | |
Richard
There Is stuff on the market that you can put In Paint that will completely make the burnt smell disappear, My cousin has a large apartment complex ( 150 Rooms ) and he Is all the time telling me that he has to go and paints this stuff on where someone has caught a kitchen on fire and there is smoke damage throughout the house. he usually has to put It on throughout the house. |
richnewbe (64.12.96.105)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:02 pm: | |
you did not say where you are. i work at a salvage pool in new england area.i deal with progresive all the time and none of the people iasked sem to know anything about it. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (24.196.191.70)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:32 pm: | |
I do not know if they have offered it yet to any salvage company. I am trying to find out, but have been unsuccessful so far.
It is being handled out of the Charleston WV area. Adjuster is Mark Bloomfield. |
Johnny (63.159.152.227)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 12:33 pm: | |
Jeff & Jim: we havbe a 1999 Blue Bird TranShuttle at work that had the entire right side of it (floor to roof) totally burned. It was repaired, & the only way you can tell is that the window tint doesn't match. No smell at all. |