Sad day in Audi land

[Ben Swann]

Doug,

As Kent says, provide documentation on everything you have done.  Also helpful to force the issue to show possible replacement candidates for the car.   We know that these cars are often sold for a few hundred dollars - that is becaase they need a lot of things to get into great condition, and some are really ontly worth parts.  However, IMO a nice fully restored 4kQ is worth a lot more - certainly over $3k.  If new engine, paint, exhaust, interior, etc. have been done, then it is worth far more than that  - just not always easy to sell them for the asking price. or justify it since there are so many newer, albiet cheaper cars out there.

My '87 pearl 5ktq avant was totalled when someone pulled in front of my family and I.  I had pretty much rebuilt the car.  The insurance agent wanted to give me $2k.  I about lost it.  That is when I presented many receipts and supporting documentation and a spreadsheet showing the value of things done to be well over $10 k.   I still only got $7k, but it was enough to go out and buy a newer avant, although it also required a lot of work and parts to get up to snuff, I now have a 5 year newer car I would not have afforded had the accident not occurred.  I was able to show no available good avants from '86 - '90 for anything under $6k and was able to identify up front how much these cars would need ($2-3K each) before they would be in the shape my avant was.

So basically, do your homework,  counter the offers and throw in things such as rental car, injuries if applicable, time lost from work, etc.  They want to offer you a little as possible, but also don't want a big hassle either.

Ben


[Doug Hill wrote:
> The  other drivers insurance has not told me if it will be a total loss yet 
> but I think it may be. Unfortunately I recently replaced the clutch and 
> starter a few months before the accident.

I'm no expert, but *don't* take the insurance company's first
offer. Let them know *your* car was above average.  Put together
a list of all the new parts and service it has had to show them
it is/was above average.  Counter offer with what *you* think the
car is worth.  Insurance companies have some range within which
they work.  If needed, an idle (or not so idle) threat of taking
their client to court may move them, especially when their client
appears to be 100% at fault.

Oh, and sorry about your loss.  But think of the pleasure that
nice "new" A4 will bring.

-- 
Kent McLean
'94 Audi 100 S Avant, 12v FWD automatic
'89 Audi 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy"]