The Insurance Game

[wltrmtty]

I'm in the process of buying a 1998 Ford E250 SD Sportsmobile EB50. You might have seen discussions here about it. My regular insurance company, for some reason, needs to know the original purchase price(?!?). I contacted Sportsmobile with the VIN, but was told they only file under original purchaser's name and they didn't know what the original purchase price was.

They suggested I contact American Adventure Insurance because "many Sportsmobile owners have had very good results with them." So, I contacted and had an interesting conversation about what a Sportsmobile actually is and the difference between a Sportsmobile, a van, and a Ford E250 SD with a 5.4L V8 (more ?!?). They're going to get back with me.

Can anyone here give me an idea of what my SMB sold for new?

Base Van: 1998 Ford E250 SD extended with 5.4L (XLT, I believe)
Converted in Fresno, CA
EB50 floor plan
Fridge
Stove
Furnace
Water heater
Coach A/C

I'm not sure what else to add. Here's the RVTrader posting:https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/199...GTH-5006583676

If your first impression is that this OP is an ignorant boob, you are most likely correct.

Thanks in advance for any insight or satirical humor.

[Offroading_is_Fun]

Originally Posted by wltrmtty

Thanks in advance for any insight or satirical humor.

Not experienced at all with SMB-specific insurance, but what is stopping you from itemizing a list and summing it? (Would insurance be adamantly against that?)

Using WAG for pricing here, but:
'98 5.4L EB E-250 - $30K new
Sportsmobile Conversion $20K new
Extra add-ons $5-10K

Total as $55-60K new?

[wltrmtty]

I told my agent I would expect the conversion to be about $20k above the value of the new van, so thanks for the affirmation Offroading is Fun. Still, it's boggling to me why they want original cost. Next, they'll want to see the factory invoice. Thanks, again.

[wltrmtty]

I received a good quote from American Adventure Insurance.

[Twoxentrix]

In the link you attached, The original listing stated they had all manuals & documentation - if you received these I suspect someplace on paperwork appears the original owners name???
My manuals had original build sheet with owners name, had the Purchase order & window sticker from Ford with the name on it, maintenance invoices, and a couple warranty cards.
No intention here to come across as insulting, but have you thumbed through all the paperwork?

[wltrmtty]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

In the link you attached, The original listing stated they had all manuals & documentation - if you received these I suspect someplace on paperwork appears the original owners name???
My manuals had original build sheet with owners name, had the Purchase order & window sticker from Ford with the name on it, maintenance invoices, and a couple warranty cards.
No intention here to come across as insulting, but have you thumbed through all the paperwork?

I haven't seen the original paperwork, yet. I've seen the maintenance records for the past 5 years. But, that's a good thought. I forgot that comment was there. I'll check it out when I pick it up next week. Not insulting, in the least.

[BrianW]

I have the original build sheet and full options price list for my 1998. I’ll try to scan it for you this weekend and send it over.

[wltrmtty]

Originally Posted by BrianW

I have the original build sheet and full options price list for my 1998. I’ll try to scan it for you this weekend and send it over.

That's awesome. Thanks!

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by wltrmtty

I told my agent I would expect the conversion to be about $20k above the value of the new van, so thanks for the affirmation Offroading is Fun. Still, it's boggling to me why they want original cost. Next, they'll want to see the factory invoice. Thanks, again.

Ha! If only it were $20k above original price. I'm thinking about $60k, which is more like 40k above original price.

SMB has/had some very strange practices as far as record keeping but 2X is right, the original owner's name is probably in the binder somewhere. Mine was. Also, SMB being a small company, you are likely to find the name elsewhere. Example: I have the original fiberglass disc spare tire cover from my Sportsmobile (the kind with the chrome ring around the tire mounted on back door, very old school and cheesy) and on the back of it is written in magic marker the original buyer's name.

[wltrmtty]

Thanks 86Scotty. I'll look around.