I have had a recent loss of equipment in a fire and submitted the list of all tools and prices to the insurance company. The bigger and more common items were submitted as a quote from my local surveying provider. Of course, the insurance company has to protect their interests and look up nearly every item on the internet and my first battle turned out to be the S6. A new 3" gun just like the one I had is a smidge over $26,000 with tax, including a $4,000 rebate just because they like me. This price is not a surprise to me and hasn't changed much in nearly a decade.
http://powersurveyingstore.com/products.php?product=Trimble-S6-Robotic-Total-Station
These guys are killing my claim. Does anybody know what these people are up to, listing new equipment at half price and how I can convince my insurance company that a quote directly from a dealer is valid.
Tom, this is another one of the many survey equipment "companies" in Indonesia that have everything way too cheap....I read somewhere where a surveyor sent money and never recieved anything (if you read the fine print) you have to do a wire transfer then they will send product, which in my opinion is very doubtful.
Have the insurance people send them money and see what happens....just my 0.02 cents worth..
Shazam!
It's probably the insurance folks that run the website!
The first settlement hoped for by insurance is less than a third of the claim. Not fun so far.
Thought it was a rattlesnake at first
Next to a picture of a rattlesnake that has to be one of the most disgusting pics ever posted here.
Thought it was a rattlesnake at first
I would send them a letter requesting a temporary replacement (rental) until they can settle your claim. Did you have any maintenance records to go with your instrument? That would increase it's value above any old gun on the internet with questionable history.
Holy Cow, are you sure?....
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Don't think I have shared this one yet.
Tell the insurance company to acquire the new instrument. Don't show them the remains of the instrument. They will tell you that it is salvageable. If they want you to purchase from a dealer in Timbuktu, who will service it?
Show them this
Might not be a bad time to start shopping for a different insurance company after you finish shopping for replacement equipment.
As the equipment should be cleaned and calibrated on a regular basis, I can't help but wonder why customer service isn't considered in the acquisition of the new instrument.
Sometimes ... you REALLY DO need a lawyer.
Want to add that you get what you pay for. A cheap policy equates to realms of fine line matters arising to claims.
I use in Australia what we call an insurance broker to find best quotes from the insurance companies for my various insurance needs . Using their expertise for attention to detail like for example what happens if TS stolen, what happens if damaged accidentally on site by me or 3rd party, what happens if burnt in fire? So I know what I am paying for. More importantly what I get in return for a claim . Especially if existing model no longer available.
I am insured for new replacement TS or equivalent item that covers all existing features if model no longer sold. TS Not covered if stolen in field, but covered if stolen from locked vehicle or locked premises or if run over and damaged or falls over in say wind gust.
RADU
Yes, there are dozens of scam equipment websites from China, Philippines and Indonesia. Tell the insurance company if they can get you new one shipped for $12K you'll gladly accept it. Point the insurance company in the direction of an authorized Trimble dealer in the U.S.
sounds like you run into an insurance weasel...
tell them that you "Buy American" when it comes to your equipment and have never been disappointed.
> tell them that you "Buy American" when it comes to your equipment
Isn't the S6 manufactured in Sweden?
Next time they want you to pay the premium, look up the price of a foreign insurance company that is half the price of theirs and tell them that is all you want to pay.
That is a great idea.
I meant dealer not manufacturer.
during my searches for another robot, I would see lots of great prices from Indonesia, and was scared off. I even avoided the great deals from UK on Trimble robots - seems so risky.
If you didn't have "replacement cost" specified in your policy, the insurance company will depreciate your instrument's original cost by $5K as soon as you take possession and 10% for every year you have had it. I was involved in a similar claim where our S6 was blown over by straight line winds and the insurance company depreciated the value to $14K for a 3 year old instrument.
I can't say enough good things about....
... Zurich Insurance (who acquired Farmers). I just replaced most of my field equipment after the theft of my Suburban (with equipment in it) from my garage. The robot was "scheduled" while the prisms, poles, 2-way radios, etc. were non-scheduled. They depreciated all of the equipment (fairly, I might add) and cut me a check for that amount. As I replaced things and submitted receipts, they cut checks for the difference. I also had coverage for "lost business" so they paid for 10 days lost business - about the time it took to get going again.
I didn't know how good the coverage was until I needed it, but they really came through. The premiums have been less than $800 per year for the last 7 or 8 years... it will be interesting to see what they come up with at the next renewal :'(
I have been into the 144 pages of insurance policy and from I've been able to gather so far, I do have replacement cost. I certainly hope that is the case. I also have Loss of Business insurance and if they don't pay for new equipment, I would have to max out that section of the policy. I did not budget for a brand new S-6 this year.
