Kim,
What you want to know is (1) how much the insurance company wants from
you for the "remains" of your "totalled" plane, (2) a fixed price from
a qualified mechanic to make it "whole" again, excluding engine repairs
and (3) a quote for necessary labor and any minor parts to remove,
disassemble, check, reassemble and reinstall the engine.
I disagree with the usual presumption that in a case like this the
owner should be left "holding the bag".
I believe you previously paid for an engine overhaul and its removal
and reinstallation. It is logical that the reason for the power loss
would be on the shoulders of one of those service providers, and they
should be "on the hook" for much of the necessary work INCLUDING any
crankshaft replacement or repair. My approach would be to bring legal
action (jury trial) on both since it would appear neither you nor your
pilot "caused" the accident. That would leave each to defend or
compromise their liability inasmuch as you clearly paid for a quality
of work obviously and materially deficient that should not be your
burden to sort out.
Unfortunately, you may have few rights if you chose a "big name"
out-of-state firm to do your overhaul, since the "fine print" in such
agreements works to the advantage of that firm to your considerable
detriment. That is the primary reason why I would always opt for a
field overhaul to be accomplished in my own state where the same person
does all the work and has all the responsibility to stand behind same.
Just my "take",
WRB
--
On Jan 20, 2010, at 16:02, kim Blackseth wrote:
Group...
I was hoping for some of your collective advice. Below is my insurance
company's response to my recently damaged 'coupe. Above that is my
response... I'd like some input from the group...
Kim Blackseth
This is the whole point of my wanting to see the plane. While it may
be a total loss to you ($20K), it may take $30K (or something) to fix
it. If I know "about" what this number is, I can make the
determination to "take a policyholder’s release (policy limit –
salvage value = payable amount)" and add $10K of my money and fix it.
If it's unfixable (or some $50K to fix), it makes no sense for to to
consider "the policyholders release". I'll take your settlement and
buy a different plane. However, I can't make that decision without
having some kind of idea about condition or potential repair costs.
I'd like some kind of realistic repair cost, even if those costs
exceed $20K. it will allow me to determine if keep the hull, add
some money to your settlement and repair it
Kim Blackseth, ICC, CASp
310 17th St
Oakland, CA
510-839-1760
On Jan 20, 2010, at 1:00 PM, Wolfe, Natsuno wrote:
Mr. Blacksmith:
I have made a phone call regarding the damage estimate – so far,
even without looking at the actual airplane, the prop strike itself
makes it a total loss based on the policy limit since a prop strike
means an engine teardown. Then once the teardown is done, there may
be a problem with the crankshaft, which means additional repairs.
As Dennis advised you, it will take some time before I can send
someone to inspect the aircraft, but given the obvious, I don’t see
what the physical inspection will accomplish (except more damage?).
If this was a borderline total loss, then there is a good chance we
may be able to repair the aircraft.
Another option is to take a policyholder’s release – I can perhaps
offer to pay a sum (policy limit – salvage value = payable amount),
but you will have to sign the release. This means you will be
responsible for the repairs but you get to keep the aircraft. If
this is something you will consider, then once FAA and NTSB release
their control of your aircraft, you can remove your aircraft. Any
retrieval fees and hangar fees up to the point are being paid by us.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Natsuno Wolfe | Claims Representative, California Branch Office
| Chartis Aerospace |
Mail: P.O. Box 5550 | Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
777 S. Figueroa Street | 14th Floor | Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
Direct: 213.689.2735 | Fax: 866.690.8478 | Cell: 213.280.5293 |
http://www.chartisinsurance.com
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Kim Blackseth, ICC, CASp
310 17th St
Oakland, CA
510-839-1760
