Cali Beach Attack in Cheltenham

[Verity]

it looks like the effects of the smoke will be the issue - and getting rid of the smell -any ideas ?? - i have been on youtube - if they write it off i am considering taking the salvage and getting the work done myself - might be a silver lining yet ??.

That might be a good plan - when you look at conversions they are just shells with brand new interiors. Perhaps you could gut the damaged one out and refit it yourself or take it to a specialist converter? Since the shell vehicle is not trashed, it would seem nuts to write it off completely, but who knows how insurance companies come to their decisions.

 

[Jay586]

The very well-respected converters I talked to before getting my van converted definitely also worked on Calis, changing them to the owners' specification, so I would think it's possible to have work done.

There is a long thread on the T4 forum about book values and insurance, it depends on how clued up the insurer or loss adjuster is, as book values don't appear to work well for VW vans, either for sale or insurance due to vans being quite individual. Mind you, that's a very new van and should have lots of comparables...

 

[CALI FATE]

I should edit remove your last post as you never know who might read it. Your over thinking I'm sure you locked it properly. I will then remove this post.


Mike

how do edit that Mike thanks - please delete as suggested thanks

 

[T6 CFO]

how do edit that Mike thanks - please delete as suggested thanks

Not sure you can if your not a VIP member.

Mods can one of you tidy this thread up.

Removing posts 47, 48and 49 should do it.

Ta


Mike

 

[WelshGas]

The very well-respected converters I talked to before getting my van converted definitely also worked on Calis, changing them to the owners' specification, so I would think it's possible to have work done.

There is a long thread on the T4 forum about book values and insurance, it depends on how clued up the insurer or loss adjuster is, as book values don't appear to work well for VW vans, either for sale or insurance due to vans being quite individual. Mind you, that's a very new van and should have lots of comparables...

The problems with a VW van that is converted is valuing the conversion on top of the value of the base van. That is not a problem with a California from VW as it is a complete vehicle sold by 1 supplier with a full parts list, especially for the T5 onwards, and any Insurance company appointed valuer should be educated by taking him to the nearest VW Commercial Dealership and given the California Brochure and Price list.

 

[Kevthegas]

So angry to read this post, there are some really nasty scum around. My daughter had a bad accident last year and was told if accident damage is over 60% of value it is written off. What ever you do Insist on the work being carried out by Vw, not one of the insurers recommended repairers.

Best of luck
Kev

 

[JohnGuppy]

It is so upsetting to hear of such a nasty attempt to steal someone's pride and joy and clearly it shows low life who intended to steal this to break up and sell the parts , as everyone knows today you can only steal a car with the correct key and coded chip inside a key , that's why we should never leave a key downstairs in your hallway as the determined criminal will break into your house
Its a pity the B*****ards was not still sitting in the seat
If you can get some storage free don't let your insurance company take it away to cheap storage its still your vehicle until they settle your claim as the last posting they will write it off and then its up to you to prove the amount you want by evidence other vehicles for sale don't take the first offer which they will try and offer you within the next few days

 

[Jay586]

The problems with a VW van that is converted is valuing the conversion on top of the value of the base van. That is not a problem with a California from VW as it is a complete vehicle sold by 1 supplier with a full parts list, especially for the T5 onwards, and any Insurance company appointed valuer should be educated by taking him to the nearest VW Commercial Dealership and given the California Brochure and Price list.

See your point here, well made.

Does the book price reflect the relative scarcity tho? I was surprised by the guaranteed future value when given finance quotes, which is obv different but would lead me to ensure I was clued up when looking at a loss.

This is valuation semantics, tho & takes us away from the point of the thread, which is to be supportive to the OP.

 

[WelshGas]

See your point here, well made.

Does the book price reflect the relative scarcity tho? I was surprised by the guaranteed future value when given finance quotes, which is obv different but would lead me to ensure I was clued up when looking at a loss.

This is valuation semantics, tho & takes us away from the point of the thread, which is to be supportive to the OP.

You only have to look on the Dealers forecourts at the 2nd hand prices for used Californias. Unfortunately you cannot do that for many of the conversions.
This is where GAP Insurance can be useful.

 

[Jay586]

You only have to look on the Dealers forecourts at the 2nd hand prices for used Californias. Unfortunately you cannot do that for many of the conversions.
This is where GAP Insurance can be useful.

Relies on the loss adjuster actually looking...

 

[Elmo3]

Dreadful incident. Hope all works out as well as it can, particularly any shenanigans with insurers.

 

[JohnGuppy]

There is no book price !!! it works like this your insurance company passes your claim to an independent engineer he looks at the damage and if he feels its a write off which in your case he will ( in your case all the locks and ecu. will need to be replaced that will push it over the edge, all write offs are recorded as a catorgy D which means is Not cost effected to repair the log book will be retained by the insurance company and passed back to the DVLA anyone buying the salvage has to re apply for a log book in most cases you will get a letter from the DVLA within a week from some back street garage who have bought it and will offer it for sale, it the case of our stolen /recovery car was back on the road within 2 weeks

That's why its important for you to keep the vehicle and store it at your cost they will pressure you to let them remove it to there storage place in my case 80 miles away , so keep hold of the car and log book until a deal is done ( that way you hold all the cards )
All the engineer will do is look at 3 cars on the internet and take the av. price and will base his offer which of course you turn down then its up to you to look around and find vehicles in the price range you will except

Our stolen car I insisted it was repaired by the dealer and all genuine parts to be used , if you check your insurance policy in most cases it says they can use s/h useable parts so if you insist on VW repairing it will be written off

In our case

Our vehicle valued at 13k

Repair was 8k but then the insurance company insisted lock and ecu change making 11k

Paid me out £13k and then sold the salvage for £7k which was back on the road in two weeks
so all it cost the insurance company was £6k

So if you look at doing the repair yourself and you still have the V5 keys and the vehicle under your control
Get you own estimate for the repairs to put it back to how it was using VW parts , have a copy of this for the engineer when he looks at the vehicle, just remember that the company will want a discount on the parts

Wait for there offer but they will be keen to get hold of the salvage to re coop there losses so the offer they make you should include you keeping the vehicle , that's why keep the V5 in your name no changes to the V5 and no Class D

Then you can decide to repair it yourself and with some new and reusable parts you will be able to get back on the road ASAP and you are in control

The main question is there is nothing body wise or mechanical side you are aware off , I see on flea bay someone breaking a damaged T6 with rear end damage all the parts like electrics will be difficult for them to sell so it leaves you to buy a new seat

hope this makes sence you should come out on the right side

PS please make sure you install an approved alarm

 

[BikerGran]

So sorry to read this - I can't even imagine how you must feel!

 

[Amarillo]

This is truly dreadful. I find it difficult to imagine the horror of seeing Amarillo in that state. A fender bender by an undertaking driver was bad enough.


Follow my blog at www.au-revoir.eu

 

[CALI FATE]

You only have to look on the Dealers forecourts at the 2nd hand prices for used Californias. Unfortunately you cannot do that for many of the conversions.
This is where GAP Insurance can be useful.

Yes - i think GAP cover is important - especially after the first insurance renewal. My insurers provide a replacement van if written off in the first 12 months - so i should have looked into it year 2 /3 / 4 maybe - lesson learned.

 

[MattBW]

I suspect you technically hadn't lost much value in the time you've had it, they hold their value so well. I would gather all the information on second hand prices you can as proof.

If worst comes to worst and it is written off, could you also tell them that things like roof bars, awning etc were all bought separately and get them returned to you?

 

[soulstyledevon]

Thanks Verity - im very much hoping it can be salvaged - on the face of it the damage is limited, but it looks like the effects of the smoke will be the issue - and getting rid of the smell -any ideas ?? - i have been on youtube - if they write it off i am considering taking the salvage and getting the work done myself - might be a silver lining yet ??.

Probably best off having it written off. Smoke damage is horrible and the smells will never fully disappear from that California.
Whatever the Insurance company offers, turn down the first couple of valuations until they start to get serious.

 

[Annik]

Just out of interest, who are you insured with?

 

[Floats]

So sorry to read about your loss. Hopefully you will have a new one soon.
Regards
Chris
Cape Town

 

[shudycamps]

Parked my van up last night at back of my home in Cheltenham - this morning due in London early start found smoke coming out of the van - some 4r53h0l3 had got in - without a key ???? attempted to hot wire the van by smashing off the ignition / steering lock etc - when he didnt succeed he decided to make a fire on the passenger seat. We have had the police and SOCO out to do the normal checks etc, but it seems clear the intruder was looking for a spare key secreted somewhere in the van - i dont leave one in there, but he went through all the nooks and tipped everything out. Just a word of warning if you do hide a spare inside, they seem to be onto it ?? - who knows - early indications are that the insurers will write it off - desperately sad only had it 18 months View attachment 24176

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View attachment 24178

I am so very sorry for your loss. Terrible!!!!

 

[RonB]

Just checking the forum for first time this week and so sorry to hear about this. The Cali becomes so much of your life it must be a particularly hurtful experience. I hope all goes well with your insurance company and it is speedily and happily resolved.

 

[Gary&Heather]

Really sad that they're just scumbags........

 

[Rob C]

Really sorry to read this. It'll be very interesting to see how your insurance company behaves. They seem like the 'legal criminals' these days. Please do keep us informed . . . . an perhaps tell the insurance company that you are!

 

[JohnGuppy]

well I did not tell all the story the scumbags drove around Hastings in our car a week !!!! with my private number plate before the police stopped it , then when they caught the 4 people in the car the police impounded the car , on my return home from the USA I called the police and was told they had checked the car and I could collect it , my insurance company hassled me to pick the car up but I said no not till you have paid me

after collecting the car as I drove home the sat nav said turn right left and took me to the place these toe rags lived all there mobile phone had been programed into the car , plus some awfal music
when I got home I looked in the middle glove box guess what it !!! it had around 15 small bags of white powder so the police had not even looked in the car
When I called the police and said what the hell is going on come and collect this stuff they said sorry we cant come we are two busy and short staffed we will pop round in the morning

To end this story the toe rag has broken into houses 5 more times and still was not put away so forgive me when I have no faith in the police or our legal system

I lost my NCD despite the person pleading guilty means you can take out a private prosecution against him as by pleading guilty and getting probation that's it he is free to screw someone else

Time is close to when law abiding folk employ private people to protect their property

 

[flying banana]

I use one of those steering locks like we used to use on our golf gti and Peugeot 205 from the 90s. I know it doesn't prevent scum from setting fire to your seat but I like to think the visual deterrent is enough to make the one cell in their brain think it's not worth it.