need help on an appraisal

[Alan R. Barnard]

In general (this from a former insurance adjuster), the insurer would only
pay to replace the piano at market value.

Consider the automobile. You wreck a 1990 Chevy. They offer you the Blue
Book (actually NADA black & yellow) value, let's say $1,800.

"But," says you, "I just had a rebuilt engine installed, the brakes were
completely redone last month, I replaced the radio with a high-boom ear
blaster, the body has been completely redone and repainted last week, the
tires are brand new AND I have emptied the ashtray."

"Oh," says the insurer, "That's different. We'll pay you $1,800."

Of course, there is no blue book for pianos--more's the pity--but the
principle is the same. If the customer paid $xxx dollars for the piano say
10 years ago, and could prove it, they would probably offer her $xxx dollars
today IF that was what they estimate it would take to buy another 1915 M (or
O or S). Otherwise, it's all up for negotiation and they will look at piano
claim pay-outs they and other insurers have made in the last five years or
so.

I don't have any direct experience with piano casualties, but I'm pretty
sure that's how it would be looked at. Others with piano claims experience,
please chime in.

Alan Barnard
Salem, MO


----- Original Message -----
From: <PNOTNR@aol.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 11:37 PM
Subject: need help on an appraisal


> List,
>
> I have a customer who wants me to appraise his Steinway M.  It was
originally
> built in 1915, but had a fair amount of work done sometime in the 60's.
> (certainly not a complete remanufacture, but the piano looks like it was
> built in the 60's)
>
> Does one consider this as an 87 year old piano, or a 40 something?  (this
is
> for his insurance)
>
> Thanks for any thoughts
>
> Gordon Large, RPT
> Mt. Vernon, ME  04352
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives