Peewee,
You'll find I'm somewhat out of step with the Insurance industry as a whole.
I believe in a lot of different things to most insurers!
The Law, in Australia, basically states you must put the innocent party back in the position they were before their property was damaged.
In RJays situation I believe the responsibility lies with the truck driver (and ipso facto his insurers) to either replace his car with the same (not possible) repair the car (I think it MAY? be possible) or pay him an amount of money to allow him to replace/reinstate his car. At all times you need to keep in the back of your mind that the Courts also use common sense in establishing values.
If RJay had spent $100,000 building the 'rolla they would look at the price he could reasonably and rationally sell the car for and use that. If RJay had people offering $15,000 I would be chasing them for written confirmation of the fact. If it was on a Forum and it appeared on the Net all the better.
I suggested having our Assessor value the car and the potential cost to repair it as he specialises in valuing odd ball cars. He will inspect the car and talk to people in the appropriate area to ascertain what the car is worth.
As a specialist assessor in the prestige, exotic (let's call it non-mainstream) cars he carries great weight in the industry.
I think RJay is in for a tough fight hence my offer.
You will find the Baker is insured with a secialist Truck insurer who will give poor RJay a few rounds of the kitchen table before they beat him into submission. All insurers know they have the financial muscle to beat small fry into the ground. This is one of the reasons we are disliked more than Bank Managers!
In Australia you have an organisation called the Insurance Ombudsman Service and for a small fee ($150.00) they will review a case like RJays to ensure the insurer is playing fair.
Inside knowledge can help a lot in his position.
Sorry for the long post/diatribe!
