Can anyone out there do a written appraisal?

[afs]

All I need is someone with an official sounding title, like an administrator of USA7s or the head of some Sevens club. If you are such or know someone who might be able to help, please let me know by e-mailing me at steinmanan@xenos.org. My insurance is asking for an independent appraisal. Up to now, they've accepted my stated value but now want the appraisal. I will send specs and pictures via e-mail Monday. The Caterham should be fairly easy to appraise by any knowledgeable person on this website. Thanks so much. Andy

[BusaNostra]

I think the person has to have an appraisal certificate to appraise.

 

Other thing you can try is ask your local town MV assessor....but if specialty car

like the 7, I doubt they know. Hopefully the assessors has one 7 in the grand list record.

 

Another one is the car dealer. If you know someone you might ask a favor...otherwise you pay.

[afs]

My agent seemed to be pretty flexible about who the expert is. A title like "Administrator, USA7s" would likely be fine. Anyone?

[Jon W.]

Show him a list of comparable car ads or actual sales. If he doesn't get the picture, call another agent. Hagerty did my home built over the phone/internet via photos.

[Croc]

The underwriter at the insurance company will be looking for an official appraisal by a registered appraiser/valuer. That likely rules out the casual approach your agent was suggesting you take - he has not done his homework on your behalf.

 

What you want to do is ask for an agreed insurance value policy. The agreed value will be the cost. You will probably find that the insurance company you are dealing with will not want to offer this on your car. If this happens then you are off to find another insurance company/agent.

 

My recommendation is to find a good agent who will be on your side when trying to work through the insurance issues with the underwriter at the insurance company. You agent needs to be clear exactly what the underwriter needs - maybe even ask to speak with the underwriter directly. Mainstream insurers who are generally best for our cars (depending on state of residence) are State Farm, Safeco and Chubb. Specialty insurers are a very easy option like Hagerty and Grundy - you talk with them directly.

Edited September 25, 2010 by Croc

[leeper]

I went with Grundy and they would have taken the appraisal from my neighbor. I have "agreed value" and though I got an appraisal from Ben at Caterham USA, Insurance never asked for it. The bank did and told me that it meant nothing to them as they had never heard of Caterham they lent based on credit score alone.

 

My advise would be to go to any Exotic dealership but that would run you a couple hundred. Good luck.