[W126 Coupe] Insurance for a 1982 500 SEC (EURO)

[terrako at comcast.net]

Andrew,

I came back to the US with a grey market BMW,  and unfortunately it  was totaled when someone ran through a red-light, with no insurance. I was insured with Geico. When I insured the car they said no problem, however when it came time to file a claim things got crazy. Geico said they could not put a true value on the car and that it did not hold the same value as a car made for the US market, my response to them was to explain the difference in the cost to insure my car  vs  buying a 5 series from the local  dealer, there was no difference in the cost of insurance. I had to get a lawyer and independent appraisers involved in order to get  what I thought the car was worth.  I suggest you get the car appraised prior to insuring it with anyone, and somehow attach that appraisal to the policy. Or simply don't tell them, I would get an independent appraisal regardless   

Good Luck.

--
Terrako Stallings

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Andrew Sporner" <asporner at googlemail.com> 


> Hi 

> 

> I am considering bring my 500 SEC home with me in a year (as TUV is going 

> to run out the expenses will be too much to do something about it--cheaper to 

> replace). 

> 

> I have inquired about insurance and got three answers. Geico says they will 

> insure it--no problem. Allstate says not at all unless it is at 

> least a 1984 and 

> State Farm says Only if it meets all safety and emissions standards. 

> 

> I regard that last one as being odd because the 84's belong to the same series 

> and would not meet them either (??). 

> 

> The other problem is that the car must be imported in "original 

> condition". Does 

> that mean that I have to remove the CAT that was added by Mercedes here? 

> I have EURO-3 emissions (the CAT was added in 1998 (Peter Wurms) installed 

> by Mercedes in Nuremberg)--which is cleaner than most american cars of that 

> period. 

> 

> Is there anybody there that has a pre-1984 500? What can you recommend about 

> importing and insurance? 

> 

> Thanks! 

> 

> 

> 

> Andrew Sporner 

> The MB Coupes Website! 

> W126 SEC Mailing List 

> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C. 

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