Archived from groups: rec.games.miniatures.historical (
More info?)
The following is my opinion based on the facts presented. It is not
intended to be legal advice, nor is it intended to establish an
attorney-client relationship. I WILL NOT REPRESENT YOU IN THIS MATTER.
If you are seeking legal advice, I would recommend you contact an
attorney in your jurisdiction familiar with its local laws and insurance
regulations.
1. Get a certified copy of your policy. Generally these policies call
for replacement value and imply or state that depreciation of the
article is a consideration.
2. If you have photos, you are 3/4 of the way to establishing both
prior ownership and prior condition.
3. Is the raw lead undamaged? If so, the salvage value of the figure
is a consideration. Generally damaged articles that require a lot of
restoration to repaint or refinish have a "zero" salvage value -- your
adjuster will generally try to get you to agree that the raw figure is
the same value as a damaged fig -- depends on the damages and how much
work to put things right but . . . generally 15 to 30 min to clean a
figure (even at minimum wage) exceeds the value of a new comparable figure.
4. If comparable figs are purchased and bought elsewhere -- this is the
value -- e.g.. what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller -- do
look at E-Bay and see what comparable stuff sells for. Keep records of
these sales. A sampling of 6 or 8 such sales should be sufficient to
establish fair market value. NOTE -- there is a difference between new
and "used figs". That being said, painted figs are not merely a
commodity, they have some artistic value as well.
5. Gather up your best 6 or 8 E-bay transactions that deal with sales
of figs comparable to yours (best if you compare Romans to Romans but
not totally necessary -- besides your adjuster probably doesn't know a
Roman from roam'in. Your demand should be the average cost to purchase
comparable figures (plus applicable postage and tax) in identical
numbers. If the insurance company tries to stick you with a deduction
for salvage value, tell em they can have the damaged figs -- come and
get em -- doubt they will call your bluff -- you will probably end up
with the damage goods anyway (for whatever they are worth).
Hope this helps. Again, your insurance policy language, local laws and
a first hand inspection of your figs might well change my opinion as
stated above. If you choose to rely on my opinions, you do so at your
own peril -- see a local attorney if you need accurate, competent legal
advice.
mjc
Corzin wrote:
> have any of you dealt with insurance companies. the guys house we play at had a
> little water mishap. a few days later we found 432 25mm heavy infantry figures
> underwater. it was insured but we have no clue on how to really get a
> replacement cost value for them. any help would be appreciated.
>
> thanks
> larry
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