I just stumbled across this and thought I would pass it on there are some messed up camaros here.

http://autosource.biz/Ad/1967_Camaro.htm

that's a scam - http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=113722&highlight=autosource.biz

I worked my first job as an Underwriter for an Insurance Co. which I will remain nameless. I had first hand contact with Adjusters. Whether they were Co. or Independent they are not what you would consider honest and scammed along with Auto Repair Shops to make money under the table. One characteristic an Insurance Field worker has is that they like to brag about how they closed a deal and made a bundle in front of low hourly wage personal. I doubt they would pass up anything where they could make a buck; so I would be wary with what your looking at.

Ron, I take exception to your post! I worked in the auto insurance claims field for over 35 years before retiring. I started as a claims adjuster, and worked my way to Regional Manager of 3 southwestern states. I had over 52 people working for me and never had an issue with ethics or them ripping off insureds, claimants, body, or repair shops. The insurance industry has a bad reputation mainly because of the allegation of them trying to control repair prices. But they are a business (big business) and in business to make money. Years ago, independant body shop owners had to make a decision to stay small, struggle, and probably go out of business. Or, make a big investment in their business and grow. Most of my friends were shop owners or managers of big independant shops or dealerships. The ones that grew their business were rewarded with huge profits. For the most part, they quit bitching about insurance companies and are all doing well financially. Adjusters are just like everybody else walking the planet, it they see an opportunity to make a legal and ethical extra dollar, what's wrong with that? They have families to feed to. Your generalization is like saying all mechanics are crooks. There are some out there, but they are not the majority. Maybe things are different in your neck-of-the-woods?

OK I admit I was over generalizing but I can give you an Example which concerns Older Vehicles that are obviously considered in Extra Fine condition prior to the incident where the damage cost of repair is estimated high and the car is written off relative to Black Book value.

For instance a 240 Volvo, Mercedes or Camaro 20 years old low mileage in immaculate condition estimate cost of repair is $4000 were in fact it can be repaired for $600 in parts and material + a weeks of shop labor say $1,600 = $2,200.

Were does this leave the owner. If the owner settles on a pay out of $4,000 minus the $1000 deduction = $3000 he can not replace it with a car of equal condition. If the owner decides to buy the car back and repair the car himself with the $3,000 he has to spend thousands more just to have the car frame aligned, certified ... etc, were in fact there is nothing wrong with the frame.

During the negotiations, the Client who is very concerned as to why the car was written off will hear this famous line from the Adjuster “There were just so many claims that week; I was instructed by the Insurance Co to write off as many as possible”. Obviously the Adjuster and the Shop want the car.

No matter what the Policy holder always ends up paying the Insurance Co. back all costs over the next few years with Surcharges. Depending on circumstances; such that, if it was a single car incident with no charges the owner should never report a claim and have the vehicle repaired himself but this is not always the case.

Ron, After working in the insurance collision repair business all my life, having spent every day of it in body shops, repair shops, and salvage pools, I have to tell you, respectfully, that you don't know what you're talking about on this subject. You are entitled to your opinion, as long as others know that it is only that. Nowadays, most shops write their own estimates for repairs. It is certainly in their best interest to repair anything that warrants it. The adjuster usually reviews the shop estimate, discusses it with the shop owner, checks the estimate against the market value of the car, checks the estimated salvage value of the car, factors in rental car expenses for time in the shop, looks at the nature of the damage to get a feel for potential "hidden damage" and additional expense, and finally talks with the car owner to see what they want. Some people don't want to drive a repaired vehicle and push to have it totaled. Some people are so 'upside down' in their car loan they beg to have it repaired no matter what. Every adjuster has made the wrong decision to repair a car that should have been totaled, and had to live with it. It becomes a never ending list of additional problems with the car. Conversly, cars that seemingly should be repaired wind up being totaled because the 'overall' expense of the claim based on all the stuff I outlined above make it uneconomical to fix it. Certain vehicles bring huge salvage recovery bids at auction further pushing a car to be totaled. Any vehicle owner has the right to retain the salvage on his car by matching the high salvage bid the insurance gets. All any insurance company owes is the 'market value' of the car, not the owner's payoff. Due to trade in's and rolled over deficiency balances, lots of people owe more than their car is worth. When it's totaled they blame the insurance company, but they had the financial problem before they ever wrecked it. It just becomes a reality after the wreck. For those on this site with specialy cars, I recommend insuring the car for a stated value amount. If its wrecked, stolen, burned, whatever, the stated value amount is paid to the insured. I'm sure there are unscrupulous adjusters out there, just like guys in every business, but I think your generalization on the topic is unwarranted. The real bottom line is most people don't know anything about insurance until they have a claim, then have unrealistic expectations and are mad at the adjuster and insurance company. It's not an easy business.

For those on this site with specialy cars, I recommend insuring the car for a stated value amount. If its wrecked, stolen, burned, whatever, the stated value amount is paid to the insured.

I'm not disagreeing with or "taking exception" concerning your right to defend Insurance Field Personal as I'm am sure the majority take pride to represent their profession honestly and are contracted on the bases of experience and reputation.

As you mention, I was not referencing new cars with liens or cars recognized as Classic Antiques but older cars without liens which are in immaculate condition and driven daily covered by all perils comprehensive coverage. These cars are specifically targeted by unscrupulous representatives in the insurance business which leads me to ask what wording best provides the owner best protection, "stated value amount" or agreed value amount in lieu of the possibility you can even obtain a rider from your existing Ins Co. without paying additional premium and policy restrictions. I'm not referring to Specialty Classic or Antique Car Insurances like Haggarty ... etc.

Anyway our discussion does have merit concerning Bob's mention of the http://autosource.biz/Ad/1967_Camaro.htm site.

I believe we could have worked together because I to have over 35 years experience in garages, body shops, and wrecking yard salvage pools and a few years underwriting Commercial Business and Auto :o))

Well here's the thing Ron, and others reading this thread. If you insure your vintage muscle car with companies like State Farm, Allstate, etc. they are not set up to provide the coverage you are probably looking for in the event of a loss. That's because they insure for market value, or actual cash value. They assume your '70 Camaro is worth 10 grand, maybe. You pay a premium based on that amount of coverage, but when bad stuff happens, you find out that they start coming up with 'comparable' vehicles and make you an offer in the $7500 range. So you freak out and blame them. What you need to do is insure the car with a specialty insurer like 'Haggerty' or others because they know the loss they are assuming, ask you the value you want to insure for, and then charge adequate premium for the risk. That's fair isn't it? The specialty insurer's know that us car guys take good care of our cars, protect them, and do everythihg we can to minimize risk, and their premium reflects that. The post that Bob put up is at least 5 years old. I've seen those very cars before, and a long time ago. Go to a local salvage auction and see what someone is willing to pay for a nice '70 Camaro that is hit in the front end. You won't believe what the cars bring. But the salvage value is based on the value of the car after it's fixed or parted out. The only one who is going to lose here, is the one who doesn't insure it properly in the first place to save a few bucks. The biggest problem a claims adjuster has is he meets people at the worst moment in thier lives. They just wrecked their car. Even if its their fault, they have to mad at someone, its human nature. Like I said, its a tough business.