The numbers are about right.

The moral of the story to others is comp insurance through a regular company isn't worth it on an older car. Sourcing full comp from a specialty insurer is going to be more $ or have restrictive mileage / use terms. In other words, self insure when possible.

I just went thru a deer incident as well, my self insurance is a local guy parting a E320 and my labor. My deer's damage was not as extensive as yours just a new to me rear door and front 1/4 panel. $200, probs too much but hey, for the paint matched parts(the donor was the same color), some labor and MB continuing ED and Im back on the road.

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Treetops
06 E320 CDI 127K Miles
87 300TD 231K Miles

99 E300 269K Miles-Sold

I'm interested in what you are referring to regarding self insurance.
Please expand a bit on this concept. I've seen the specialty coverage and would not be able to meet the low restrictive mileage of say <5,000 /yr.

Thanks!

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1986 300SDL 440,xxx

Self insurance.:
When a cars value gets to the point you can just write a check to replace it like for like, drop comprehensive insurance and only carry liability. Take the $ you would be spending on comp and bank it.

In order to do this, one must be living within ones means. If you are living paycheck to paycheck, and the car you are driving needs comp ( RE: on payments ) , you are driving a car that is too expensive for you.

If you must carry comp, keep the deductible as high as possible, you will save $ in the long run. And, drop glass coverage since most windshield replacements are in the $ 300 range these days.

Same goes for refusing the extended warranty on appliances , TV and other stuff except just bank the $ the warranty would cost up front.

In 1995 I bought a 1991 Dodge Spirit for Mom, the car had 70 K on it, I paid $ 3,500 ( It was about $ 11 K new. ) I never had comp on it as I could have replaced it next day if it was totaled. If someone hit it, their insurance would likely pay. Is she hit something I'd fix it. If a hit and run, that's the risk I'd take. She still has the car and I never needed to use the comp insurance.

$ 3,500 over 20 years is $ 175, I bet I'd have spent more on comp than I paid for the car by now!

I had a similar incident about 2years ago with my '87 300TD where I clipped a deer. Similar estimate.

Insured with Westfield also, with a $14,000 stated value, with a (dealer) appraisal in my Agent's file.

My damage/estimate was about the same, no argument from Westfield, they told me to take it to one of their approved shops (one local, good shop), I dropped it off and it was repaired without issues.

One difference was that I wanted to replace the hood and fender, not repair (bondo-averse). The estimate was repair fender / repair hood. I bought perfect used parts for this as the body shop approved and they reimbursed the amount budgeted for repairing after refinish charges (I did fine, lots of labor to repair and little to refinish). Same for front bumper cover, replace vs repair and again I was able to find an excellent used one.

Not sure whether policies have changed, whether it is your location / adjuster, or just the appraisal that my agent recommended, but my experience with Westfield went well.

Currently I have a cracked windshield on the car, and Westfield has approved the replacement with OE glass. Unfortunately this windshield is NLA, so they might be saving some money without knowing it.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

The big difference I see is that you had a dealer appraisal, which set the value of your car likely near the stated value.. Just out of curiosity, what was your 87 appraised at?

My policy called for them paying out the lesser of:
a) stated value
b) car value
c) repair cost.

I presume in your case that the appraisal value sets the car value. Which, by the a/b/c option up there you would fall into option C, assuming the appraisal value is pretty close to the stated value on the policy.

I would wonder if your policy has the same a/b/c provision that ours does.

Another key difference is that your agent did their job better than ours.

Beyond that, they finally sent over documents that we are to sign regarding the $2600. Doesn't rub me the right way, all these stipulations. Maybe I'll post it up here at some point today.

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Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

Appraised value is $14,500 IIRC, repair cost for my hit was (again IIRC) under $4,000. The dealer (used) drives an '85 300TD and has some experience in vintage cars, I also keep photos and receipts in case something bad ever happens to Belle again.

I took the opportunity to have the car painted at the same time, and wish I would have found a vented '95 E300D fender.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

And you didnt have any special "classic car, you can only drive on the weekends, etc" type of insurance?

What about your car had them appraise it at $14,500? I should look into this for our other cars then..hm

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

Rarity, updates & upgrades, condition. I also took several for sale ads with cars in more average condition that were being offered in the tens to teens.

I showed up with a nice list of updates and upgrades, any documents that would support the market value of my car. Having a dealer who owns an extremely clean '85 300TD and knows that they have value helped.

I have insured several classic and collectible cars, had one totaled and took the adjuster up the tailpipe deal, ... I learned from that experience.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I had a put to with this elephant .In our Safari Park drive through .He just bashed my head light in with his trunk .On my way home we hit a hold up on the traffic lights .It was operated by hand, by a policeman . When it was my turn to move he stopped me and said ,you have a light out .I then told the pc the story .To that he said , now now blow in this breathalizer .But after my story he let us go on our way .