Hello everyone, I am looking for an appraiser to establish the insurance value for my latest aquisition (59 Thunderbird). Anybody have one they liked in the state of Wisconsin? (preferably in NE Wis). I have my old cars insured through my regular insurance company and they require one. However, I am not going to use "Their Guy" and they will accept just about any "bonafide" appraisal. It is long and complicated about why I need to have ALL my cars under policies with this one insurance company, but the short story is that I have very special insurance needs for my job and their rules are that if they are going to provide that insurance, then they need to make sure that everything I have is covered by their terms. Not worth discussing and it isn't going to change... so just let that part go. Anyway, the guy I used 7 years ago to do my '54 isn't in business anymore (the recession must have gotten him), so I am looking for someone that has a good reputation in WI. Thanks!
Online search for certified auto appraisers? http://www.bocaa.org/wisconsin.html http://www.certifiedautoappraisers.com/Wisconsin.html
Valenti Cl***ics did a couple for me years ago. They're right off I94 in Caledonia, WI. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Years ago I used to insure my cars with State Farm who required an appraisal. My neighbor sold used cars, I just took one of his car lot letter heads and wrote on it "appraisal for 37 Chevy $25,000.00" which satisfied State Farm. The real benefit was I didn't have to pay $200.00 for a real appraisal. No muss no fuss.
That's fine-as long as you didn't need to file a claim. In the case of actualy needing to pay out, the insurance company might lok a little further and deeper-and you'd end up with nothing. It's a PIA, but, int he long run, probably better to do it straight up. After all, you're already betting you'll need the insurance and the insurance company is betting you're not.
Why would my appraisal be any different then having a so called appraiser do it? Whats the difference if a claim is filed? Appraising a car is pretty subjective. Its not rocket science. I never suggested lying about the appraisal value. I gave it what I thought the car was worth. My cars are now insured by Grundy for agreed value and no appraisal is required. Does this mean I'll have trouble if a claim is filed?
The deal is that you and Grundy have agreed on a value and they have set your premiums accordingly. However, the OP's situation is different, because he needs an appraisal first. In this case, there is a reason there are "certified" appraisers whose judgement may not be better but will be accepted should a need arise. Since the whole reason for insurance is "should a need arise". in this case, it just seems better to do what they're requesting now, rather than to argue the situation later. The question is, what is "bonafide" really?
Thanks everyone, i found a guy near by at the show yesterday. I will post his info once the process is done depending on how it goes. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
No personal experience, but I've heard very good things about these guys... http://www.motortechappraisals.com/ Believe they have appraisers throughout the US.
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