Ratbag
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2012
- Messages
- 7,455
- Location
- Bayside, Melbourne, Vic
- Car Year
- MY06, MY10
- Car Model
- Forester SG & SH
- Transmission
- 5MT/DR & 4EAT Sports
Gidday All
Negotiated a significantly better agreed value with my insurer.
6% higher. Paperwork to come.
I expect this to increase again after I have ticked everything off their new schedule.
What with the trend towards "build your own" that many manufacturers have been offering for years now, the only way to work out a replacement or agreed value (precisely defined legal terms - read your policy document very carefully, folks ... ) is to start at the base model and then add in the cost of each "extra" fitted to your particular vehicle.
For example, both Stilson's and my Foresters are "XS" models, 2007 (MY07) and 2006 (MY06) respectively. Looking at the two side by side, it became apparent that there are several significant differences. His has leather and a sunroof, but lacks the factory CD stacker, fog lights and covers and OEM tow bar. Both are significantly better equipped than their respective "X" models, just differently.
Make dead certain that these differences from the base model are recorded as individual items on your insurance schedule; along with any extras that you might have added. Leave nothing off.
e.g.:
Separate policy, but the same principles apply.
Something as small as locking/security wheel nuts don't cost very much, BUT they are a big deal if someone does manage to steal your alloy rims in spite of them (I have worked out how it could be done ... ), and your insurer starts cutting up rough about it, or about you paying the excess. You can point out that you have gone way beyond your duty of care to the insurer and that they should consequently act in uberrimae fidei and cover your loss without charging the excess, or halving it with you(uberrimae fidei = literally: in the utmost good faith; an old insurance term ... see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insurance ).
Ensure that expensive items such as cameras/lenses/accessories, GPS, etc are covered for anywhere in Oz (or your country of stabling, lol) under the "All Risks" section of your home and contents policy.
TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS of everything - SPECIALLY including the car from all angles ... . It may well be your only proof of the existence of these things should your car be stolen or become a burned out wreck, etc.
Repeat this photographic expedition at least annually. It may be your only proof as to what the condition of the car was prior to whatever happened to it.
Negotiated a significantly better agreed value with my insurer.
6% higher. Paperwork to come.
I expect this to increase again after I have ticked everything off their new schedule.
What with the trend towards "build your own" that many manufacturers have been offering for years now, the only way to work out a replacement or agreed value (precisely defined legal terms - read your policy document very carefully, folks ... ) is to start at the base model and then add in the cost of each "extra" fitted to your particular vehicle.
For example, both Stilson's and my Foresters are "XS" models, 2007 (MY07) and 2006 (MY06) respectively. Looking at the two side by side, it became apparent that there are several significant differences. His has leather and a sunroof, but lacks the factory CD stacker, fog lights and covers and OEM tow bar. Both are significantly better equipped than their respective "X" models, just differently.
Make dead certain that these differences from the base model are recorded as individual items on your insurance schedule; along with any extras that you might have added. Leave nothing off.
e.g.:
- OEM tow bar, tongue and ball, including ball protector and bar tongue rubber bumper
- Roof bars, basket, roof boot, etc
- Side bottom door protectors
- Side bottom panel protectors
- Front/rear mud flaps
- Headlight/fog light protectors
- Seat covers (with full description)
- Floor mats
- Bumper protector
- Cargo floor protector
- Alloy wheels
- Special/better tyres (i.e. more expensive than "normal". Yokohama Geolandar AT-s cost around $225 a corner; Bridgestone GR90 cost around $159 a corner. That adds around $260 value to the car)
- Whether you have had significant parts reconditioned or replaced, making the car more easily saleable at a higher price - e.g. re-co engine; suspension; gear box; diffs; AND don't forget things like re-co of air conditioning; replacement battery; alternator; water pump; timing belt; etc, etc.
- KEEP all receipts and documents!! From the original purchase on. All repairs; services; accessories - the lot!
- Accessories that are normally carried in the car (specially in the case of theft) such as winch; compressor; tool kit; tyre repair kit; jerry can/s; fridge;
- Cruise control (I think that some Oz models did not come with this as standard??)
- Climate control air conditioning (Stilson's has the standard air-con; mine has climate control)
Separate policy, but the same principles apply.
Something as small as locking/security wheel nuts don't cost very much, BUT they are a big deal if someone does manage to steal your alloy rims in spite of them (I have worked out how it could be done ... ), and your insurer starts cutting up rough about it, or about you paying the excess. You can point out that you have gone way beyond your duty of care to the insurer and that they should consequently act in uberrimae fidei and cover your loss without charging the excess, or halving it with you(uberrimae fidei = literally: in the utmost good faith; an old insurance term ... see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insurance ).
Ensure that expensive items such as cameras/lenses/accessories, GPS, etc are covered for anywhere in Oz (or your country of stabling, lol) under the "All Risks" section of your home and contents policy.
TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS of everything - SPECIALLY including the car from all angles ... . It may well be your only proof of the existence of these things should your car be stolen or become a burned out wreck, etc.
Repeat this photographic expedition at least annually. It may be your only proof as to what the condition of the car was prior to whatever happened to it.
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