Question about value of a Disco I

[ssssnake529]

My 1996 Discovery 1 was in an accident. The other driver was at fault.

The other diver's insurance company says it's totaled and wants to pay me $4000 for the vehicle.

It's in pristine condition (before it was wrecked,) and I have receipts for over $16,000 in accessories and upgrades.

Where could I look for comparable vehicles for sale to get a feel for the value of a similar vehicle that's been heavily modified for overlanding?

Here's an upgrade list:

BF Goodrich All Terrain AT-KO tires (245/75-16)
Old Man Emu springs and shocks (2.5 inch lift.)
True-Trac diffs (front and rear)
Upgraded axles
3.9 gears
Skid plates for front and rear differential housing, and front skid plate for steering gear
Skid plate for gas tank
Rear JATE ring recovery point
Replaced swivel balls, front and rear
National Luna Portable Power Pack second battery
Rear Ladder
Escape Gear cotton canvas seat covers
Great Basin Rovers double cardon drive shaft
Great Basin Rovers modified control arms (increases caster, for better tracking.)
Powder coated Land Rover brush bar with front recovery points
Columbia Overland stainless steel rear door panel
New fuel pump
Upgraded window regulators
African Outback drawer system with integrated fridge slide
Fold down table mounted on inside of rear door

 

[jhawk]

I've been where you are at. The insurance company isn't going to reimburse you for all the modifications. They are going to search the local market and come up with 3-4 trucks. That's just how it is.

Your best bet is to take their deal and then buy back your truck from them. You're probably talking 800 or so to buy it back. Then find another Disco to put your parts on.

Jim

 

[ssssnake529]

I don't think I'm going to take their "deal." I will just take them to court. (I'm an attorney, so it won't cost me much to do it.)

 

[Rovertrader]

It will take a little effort- found this in <a minute right here on Portal:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/111440-1999-Discovery-SD-Chawton-White-15-000

Check special interest sites for Rovers, and even Ebay to show a market. We have done appraisals for JJ Best for purchases and even a few for situations like yours...
Just a hint- play the attorney card carefully.

 

[Colin Hughes]

I'd be interested to see how you make out. When our Range Rover was stolen and recovered, the insurance company tried to pin the theft on us. The adjuster had my wife in tears when he interviewed her while I was away. It wasn't until I gave them an ultimatum, have us arrested and charged or pay the claim, that they came up with the money. The threat of the wrongful arrest civil suit scared them a bit I think.
It's not the value of the equipment, that can be swapped over to a new truck, it's your time and attachment to the vehicle after doing all that work.
This makes me really think about getting an appraisal for my D1 as I've got well over $12k in it minimum.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Modifications to a truck doesn't raise the value of it.


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[fowldarr]

I had an insurance fight over my fj-62 that I won. They pulled two high mile, rusted out com parables in my geographic area. I supplied pictures of mine, they told me it was up to me to prove it was worth more. An Internet search came up with 200 comparables that I faxed to their office page by page. The guy called me back, yelled at me, used profanity, hung up on me, everything you should never do. I called back, climbed as high as I could on the call chain, reported what had happened, 20 minutes later I had an offer for $2500 more than I paid for the vehicle.

 

[LR Max]

Modifications doesn't raise the value of the truck.

D1's around here are going for A LOT less than that. $4k actually seems to be a decent price for that truck. A quick craigslist search shows all D1's are priced under $4k with many under $3k.

That said, see if you can get more $$$. I mean, why not?

 

[rijosho]

First off, take all of the accessories off of the truck and sell them (or put them on your next D1) after this one is paid out. Never ever ever ever accept the first offer from insurance.

 

[fishEH]

I asked my insurance guy about this. He was pretty dim, but from what I gathered I could take out additional insurance on the truck like what collectors and hot rod guys do.
My friend just put his D2 on its side. Not too much damage but enough to total it out. He took the check from ins and bought the truck back for about $1000. He then bought a NICE '03 with a blown engine. He had the engine and accessories transferred to the '03. Now he has a beautiful driver, a parts truck, and cash in his pocket.
This is a very clean truck for sale right now. Obviously no 99D1 is worth the asking price on its own, but I'm curious to see if he can fetch it given all tje accessories.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=330929570971&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=33008269887

 

[Holland]

Never take the first offer, especially considering it's THEIR insurance. Find trucks comparable to yours to find a proper value.

Surprised so many on here are willing to just take the first offer. Usually when it's their fault the insurance can't total the vehicle out.

If you play your cards out right, you can raise the value enough for them to fix it instead of total it.

Coming from the E30 community, insurance struggles are the norm for a car with higher street value than bluebook. And insurance companies will do anything to pay as little as possible.

 

[ZG]

I asked my insurance guy about this. He was pretty dim, but from what I gathered I could take out additional insurance on the truck like what collectors and hot rod guys do.
My friend just put his D2 on its side. Not too much damage but enough to total it out. He took the check from ins and bought the truck back for about $1000. He then bought a NICE '03 with a blown engine. He had the engine and accessories transferred to the '03. Now he has a beautiful driver, a parts truck, and cash in his pocket.
This is a very clean truck for sale right now. Obviously no 99D1 is worth the asking price on its own, but I'm curious to see if he can fetch it given all tje accessories.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=330929570971&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=33008269887

Indeed, you can adjust your insurance based on modifications, but I believe this has to be done before the incident.

 

[Viggen]

Some insurance companies take accessories into account but depreciate them just like the value of the vehicle. My first truck was modified when another driver hit me and it was totaled. I took their money offer then showed up with a pancake compressor, air tools, and a pick up truck. By the time it got to the junkyard, it was missing many parts.

 

[R-Overland]

Some insurance companies take accessories into account but depreciate them just like the value of the vehicle. My first truck was modified when another driver hit me and it was totaled. I took their money offer then showed up with a pancake compressor, air tools, and a pick up truck. By the time it got to the junkyard, it was missing many parts.

Smart man

 

[KyleT]

tell them 4k and you keep the truck.