Insurance claims

[Sean McEntee]

   I got a email this morning from one of our aeromodeling brothers, Brian Harris.  He was invloved in a car accident last week.  Brian is fine; no injuries that he spoke of.  His vehicle, however, was totaled, and he had 2 of his models in the vehicle, which were badly damaged.

   The insurance company for the driver at fault has agreed to reimburse Brian for the damages to his model so long as he can provide an estimate for the repairs or the replacement of the models.  I wouldnt know where to begin, so I was hoping someone on here might have had a similar experience at some point?  Thanks a bunch!

[James Mills]

Sean,

I've been trying to help Brian (he's my brother in law) with this.  We were at the field with your Dad and Sparky that mourning.  The kid tagged him hard.  I suggested he contact Bob Hunt or Tom Morris to get hard copy estimate of what the cost would be purchase a fully built plane delivered.  Hopefully it will work out.  The Tempest had I say less than 50 (at the most) flights, probably much less.  The best thing is he walked away. 

James

[James Mills]

First were they from kits? Add the kit price and ask Tom Morris or Walter Umland  or Derek or Dale  Barry what they charge to assemble same kit. That to me would be a pretty accurate cost of the model.
I don't know off hand any other guys that have or will build a kit for you.

One was from a kit and the other was scratch built.  The insurance agent needs a replacement cost (he probably has no idea what's involved in building a control line plane).

James

[Tim Wescott]

Everyone else was quicker on the ball (and more succinct).  Here's my bloviating on the subject:

Call Tom Morris and at least one other "name" builder (edit: like the ones that Ty mentioned) of stunt planes with descriptions or pictures of the planes.  Get prices.  (Who builds planes?  I dunno -- I don't pay attention, because I build my own!)

If Brian regularly flies in contests where he's awarded appearance points, and if he wants to be nasty, he should come up with his own price.  Figure out how many hours it would take him to rebuild the planes, call local woodworking shops and see if they'll tell him their shop rates, then multiply the hours by the rate and add the cost of a kit to get an answer -- it'll probably be more than what the "pro" builders charge.

If it were me I'd be planning on replacing the planes by building, and I'd be able to justify it because I fly in events where appearance points are awarded.  So I'd do the "build on my own" computation anyway, just to have an alternative proposal for when the insurance company tries to knock off $$.  Sort of an "oh, you don't like my first price?  Well, here's one that I certainly like better".  It's always nice to have a zinger in your back pocket when you're dealing with insurance companies, in case they forget that their client is the one in the wrong.

Of course, if he's just going to buy replacements, then that simplifies things all around.

More edit:  I hope that things work out.  Some insurance companies seem to operate by being nice and paying out, others seem to feel that stinginess is the way to go, all the time.  I hope the other driver's company is the former, not the latter.

And some unsolicited advise:  Tell him not to sign anything about neck pain or lingering injuries unless he's absolutely sure that he's in the clear.  Insurance companies are justifiably paranoid about getting suckered by professional ambulance-chasers about this, but on the other hand you can get smacked like that and have deep muscle, joint, or spinal injuries that don't show up for weeks.

[Derek Barry]

Depending on size between $800-$1000 per plane would be a fair estimate. If they were full sized (.60) planes maybe a little more.


Derek

[Steve Helmick]

Another "Ace in the hole" is to mention that your neck, back or shoulder has been bothering you, that you remember bouncing off the roof pillar during the accident, and you were thinking of going to a specialist. "I can put a check in the mail tonight!" is the normal response...  Steve

[Dan McEntee]

  Besides the hardware involved, the models were VERY nicely finished. Brian is a graphic artist by trade I believe and a very good one. To me, spare time is priceless. I would start at $1500 to $1800 each as a start. I would remind the insurance company, if he stays healthy, it could be worse. Maybe if he rubs his neck and moans every time he talks to them!
  Glad Brian is OK, but sorry to hear of his troubles. No one needs more troubles.
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Mark Scarborough]

of interest as a reference may be the cost of the Yatsenko RTF airframes,, they are not the 'same' but still give a market value of a RTF,, and my recollection is that they are upwards of 3500 or so?

[Sean McEntee]

I'd tell the insurance adjuster that one is an Aston Martin Buccaneer and the other is Bugatti Tempest...just to see their reaction 

[peabody]

I know that Young Daniel was run over from behind a decade or so ago.....his car was / is his "hanger" and several models, including his aluminum Mustang, were damaged....I believe that he was satisfied with the settlement.

Have fun!