dealing with insurance claim

Hi
while on vacation our house was broken into and they stole my 2 laptops.
One was a cf-30 and one was a cf-28 that I know is a few generations old but I made a mount for it and used it as a gps on my atv.
I have replacement cost insurance so does anybody know what I should be claiming for? I would assume since the cf-30 is no longer available a dealer should give me a quote for a cf-31 but should I even claim for the cf-28 or maybe ask for a quote on a refurbished 29 or 30?
Anybody ever dealt with insurance companies in a similar situation?
RM

 

I would put down what it would cost to replace it for value, even if that replacement is a newer unit. Even if it was given to you and you paid 0 for it, it is going to cost you to replace that unit to use it for what you want.

 

Yes I have dealt with them before. Mine was water damage, lost 3 toughbook. First off list every thing in your claim, no matter how small list it. Since your 30 needs replaced go to the Toughbook configuration and get the price of your CF-30 when it was new and turn it in with your claim. My guess your 30 new was around $3000.00 so tell them they do not make them now but you can get the one that replaced it for $1700.00 used

My claim was just under $7000.00 but told them I could find these for $4000.00 and I had a check in 3 days for that amount . If they think they are getting a deal and saving money they will close the claim fast. If you pass in a claim for a new 31 which is going to cost $3000.- $4000. they may think twice about it.

Replacement cost is a joke some times. Some insurance company's have caps on what they will pay for one item. My house and contents has replacement cost BUT it's up to $345.000.00 and after that it comes out of my pocket. Sounds like a lot but it's not. When buying insurance read the fine print (waver) they all have them.

 

I am not a expert in this field but the wife is and speaking with years of experience. Plus we have had just a few insurance claims personally I will give you what is most lickly to happen in today's insurance "you don't have that kind of insurance!" world. So please don't shot the messenger here ok. I hope you get a new CF-31 (because you have new replacement insurance) you might be luck to get refurbished cash equivalents). But here is the facts in most cases today.

Example 1. A guy with his lawn mower on a small trailer and has a accident and the small trailer and mower is totaled. But the home owner has a supper nice commercial mower that cost $7000. His insurance company is not prepared to replace anything but a Chraftman or Cub Cedit. ($1200)

example 2. You play guitar and it is stolen. fine but not a rare1954 Less Paul.

example 4. Your computer is stolen unless you have pointed out the make and model in your policy of its real replacement value. Don't expect much more than a nice mid-line Dell. A 3 or $4000 tough-book is more along the line of a commercial unit, so good luck...

 

dhardin made so good points there. My insurance company "broker" lives in town and many years ago he told me to write down anything of any valve...name, make, model # and serial # with a picture which I did so if some thing does happen I have proof that I own it. This will show the insurance company that this is what you have and they must replace it. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

X2 pictures, serial# and model # is the way to go, that way they can't dispute your claim.

 

Video is a great way to do an inventory! Go room to room and take a long shot of each item and then read off the make, model and serial number of each. It helps if you have someone to run the camera! Go room to room and then take the video and do a written version. This really helps if you are the victim of burglary as well and in a day when most anyone with a newest model smart phone can do you HD Video, there is really no reason not to do this! Make a DVD from the result and keep a copy at a friends place!

 

Agreed with all these! My broker is a good friend of mine and we've gone through the values of stuff at my place and what insurance would most likely balk at and have all those recorded. I ended up putting a few things on a rider that includes theft away from home. While not close to a commercial insurance plan that covers immediate rentals, etc. it's good enough for me.