this is long, but a compendium of my more current comments, and
responses to some replies.
------------------------------------------
to MG Friends; just a few comments, after sitting in my coffee shop
with an 'au lait' and a croissant, the B with its hard shell top on,
and thinking about the kind comments received last night from many of
you. But who should drop by but an old acquaintance driving a B, and
with an A in the garage. Not only that, but he has e-mail access, but
does not know of this list !!.
He, as did many of you including my partner at home, suggest that the
"enjoyment factor" is worth the money for the new top. So when I come
back from the coast (Victoria, and Long Beach on the Island), I'll get
the B back from having the springs resprung, ground clearance
adjusted, and see what to do about the top. My concerns don't seem to
be as serious as "MG Flambe" though, wow good luck on that one!!
I intend to continue with the insurance question and so will post
whatever I come up with here on the list. It will be Canadian
insurance related so if you're 'south of the border', be aware of
legal insurance matters.
Here, the insurance agent, who represents the insurance 'carrier', the
insurance company, has you telephone the adjuster. The adjuster then
sends you to a 'fix it' place. In my case a vinyl, convertible top
repair shop the adjusters (large canadian company) have been dealing
with a lot. That may have been my first and original error, since now
the adjuster will not accept a higher price (he says have the other
quotes look at the lower quote - and match it). If I accept the $$, I
can then presumabley have the top replaced, or do the work myself, or
not have a top, or whatever.
So when I return from vacation Aug 8, I'll continue with the insurance
matters and negotiations.
=================================================================
]From: NETMAIL::"thorpe@kegs.saic.com" 24-JUL-1995 14:53:03.69
]Subj: RE: hail damage to rag top
]
]There was some discussion on the net recently about the cost of new tops.
]The price range was from $130 (Prestige) to $195 (Amco). This is American
]dollars. I don't know what the conversion rate is to Canadian dollars,
]but I'm pretty sure it's less than 2X.
actually about 1.35, so about $170 to $250. hmmm thanks
]
]I've always made a profit off of damage to my cars -- partly because I do
]my own work and partly because I know where to get bargains. I suspect that
]you could get a top for less than $220 Canadian. If you install it yourself,
](not that hard) you get a new top for free.
well, yes, this is now a consideration.
]Your insurance company works for you. They have to settle a claim to
]YOUR satisfaction. In '84, I got $4000 for a stolen '79 Triumph Spitfire
]that I'd paid $3395 for a year before. The initial offer from my
]insurance company was for $1200. All it took was two months of saying
]"No."
well, not exactly, see my comments above, and the fact that
the adjuster said he has to keep insurance costs down, which does make
sense from the insurance industry point of view, but then what were my
premiums for. I will keep saying No to the depreciation rate of 75%,
when in fact the adjusters repair hsop indicated depreciation would be
about 60%.
]I've driven a '67 MGB almost exclusively for 16 years. Including purchase
]price, minor restoration, and repairs, I probably have no more than $10,000
]into it. This is half the _purchase_ price of a Mazda Miata. My five MG's
]together cost me $2500 and the maintenance for all five costs less than
]regular services and batteries for one Mazda Miata. This is how I keep my
]perspective on the costs of my cars.
yes, exactly the kind of thinking I was looking for - thanks
again !
]================================================================
]Subj: RE: hail damage to rag top
]
]Greetings from the Garden City of Victoria,
]I too just replaced my top on my '73 MGB, unfortunately I wasn't able to
]claim insurance as it was due to age and a strategically placed rip made it
]hard to repair. After several suggestions from everyone on the list I got a
]brand new top for $275.00 from a company in Vancouver by the name of MG
]Octagon. Unless you have a customized top, this is a straight forward
]commonoldgarden soft top for an MG. This price would help meet the
]insurance company's portion...
]Good luck!
Yes, I frequent the coast and have actually gone into Octagon
from time to time. considering that I may even try to put the top on
myself, I'll check them out again on my way through. thanks
]==================================================================
]From: NETMAIL::"ab@vuse.vanderbilt.edu" "A. B. Bonds" 24-JUL-1995 15:04:56.43
]Subj: RE: hail damage to rag top
]
]Sorry to hear of your misfortune. In reality, a wholly new vinyl top
]with a zip-out window and all snaps etc installed costs $179 US
](Anco). You can Install it yourself in 2-3 hours for the cost of a
]can of contact cement. I'd take the money and run.
] Good luck! A. B. Bonds
good advice - thanks
]==================================================================
]From: NETMAIL::"wzehring@cmb.biosci.wayne.edu" 25-JUL-1995 06:47:37.98
]Subj: regarding insurance
]
]Fellow fiends:
]
]After having read the postings from Hy Freedman (hail damage) and Lane
]Rollins (MGA flambe), and the problems of dealing with insurance companies
]and the uncertain world we live in...
]
]I'm wondering about the usefulness of getting appraisal on our lbcs. I
]suppose one immediate problem might be that the insurance agency wouldn't
]recognize the 'authority' of whomever did the appraisal? How does one
]locate an appraisor that is respeceted and recognized? I've actually talked
]to my insurance agent about this but he doesn't have specific advice. I
]think he sells more home insurance than lbc insurance.
So on to the larger question. I actually had my vehicle
appraised as requested by the insurance company. Here, in Alberta,
Alberta Motor Association (AMA, CMA, etc) could do it, and would be
accepted by insurance conmpanies. I had the appraisal done by the MG
and other european cars repair garage, and it was accepted (I think,
at least I got the insurance). These appraisals wo'nt cover
individual items like tops, etc, but I guess would help re a whole
vehicle loss.
]I don't mean to start a thread on insurance compaines; after all, this is
]the MGS list, but if anyone has advice on how to get an lbc appraised *for*
]insurance purposes, I'd appreciate it.
]
I think it's worth it to consider these kinds of matters as
well as the technical ones. - good point to bring up.
]Will Zehring
]
]=========================================================
]From: NETMAIL::"RLANCASTER@ntia.doc.gov" 25-JUL-1995 06:57:19.61
]Subj: hail damage to rag top -Reply
]
]Hi Hy,
]If its still running well, and stopping well, after 30 years, it
]deserves the body restoration. Much longer, the rust will penetrate
]the inner parts of the rockers and then affect the body stability,
]resulting in saggs, and doors that won't close. Do it now and you
]may have it another 30 years, god willing. Do at least the rust
]stoppage, and it will limp along another 10 years. Good luck!
yes, I'm thinking exactly this way, what with new rubber, new
top, good mechanicals, it's time to consider the sags, doors not
closing, etc. Next year (or perhaps start this winter) - good advice.
]
]========================================================
]From: NETMAIL::"deboer@duke.usask.ca" "Dirk de Boer" 25-JUL-1995 09:57:55.64
]Subj: RE: hail damage to rag top
]
]Did you call Fergus Tewnion at Brititsh Auto Specialists for a price on
]tops? A few weeks ago their price was Can $250 or so. Their phone
]number is (403) 230-3373. I haven't seen their tops so I don't know the
]make and quality but it is worth checking out. They also have a more
]expensive version.
]
]Dirk
thanks Dirk, I have never dealt with Fergus, but did speak
with him by phone yesterday and will check him out after many positive
references.
]
]
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