B10-Wednesday, October 22, 1980 - North Shore News RC cars die at rate of sixty-two per day Accidents escalate across province Escalating motor vehicle accidents in British Columbia are resulting in an average of 62 automobiles going to the wrecking yards every day of the year. According to current estimates, approximately 23,000 of these vehicles Norm Tune-Ups Brakes Carburetion Exhaust system General maintenance Let me be your personal mechanic 830 W. 1st St. Just southeast of Woolco 988-5010 Marine O« worth $46 million will be dragged off the highways this year, about 20 per cent more than last year when the value was just over $30 million. Jack Skaling, Manager of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia's Material Damage Depart- ment, says the increase in total-loss vehicles and costs is the result of a growing vehicle population, an upward trend in the number of accidents and claims, increases in labor costs at bodyshops and the rising cost of parts. Costs of new vehicle parts produced in North America have in- creased approximately 67 per cent in three years. “The challenge to reach a fair and acceptable set- tlement is becoming more acute,” said Skaling. “We have 13 total loss expediters working at claim centres throughout the province and experienced adjusters in our smaller offices. In the face of changing factors, they must come up with settlements that are fair to both the claimant and the cor- poration.” What happens when a vehicle is written off? The claim is handled by a total loss expeditor or an adjuster, who assesses the actual cash value of the motor vehicle. It is Corporate policy to pay the current market value of the vehicle, but determining the figures involves a thorough research of values and substantial experience. Total loss expeditors and adjusters are trained to consider local market WEST VANCOUVER’S | COMPLETE MECHANICAL AND COLLISION REPAIR CENTRE 8 - 5:30 Mon. - Fri. Peter Brand Motors 1519 Clyde Ave West Vancouver 922 323) ~ULEASE ME™e “BUY ME” ‘LEASE ME” “BUY ME™ 256 Ge yiinder Part time 4 W Onrive Power steonng & latgate Root rack M7 Bn 15 tos Cagar Lighter 12 inetde Dey Noght oe tor 4 Way fhassarn Mantis t2 volt a! Qual Horne Front stabilize tea Wheel trem trut. 6 apes arg allocation Was $12 1Y5 “LEASE ME" “BUY ME” 1980 Jeep Cherokee 4 Door LAST CHANCE TOEVER BUY A NEW NEW AMC JEEP WARRANTY SALE NOW Meorti bas, PO IEW vt 1TBOO Marine (deve North Vane ouver Gt: JW 3SV31.- aW_AN@ Aaloematc toatis Warr outs Srower Derakon Meavy hut, latter, $4 wiricdoow dette ngage Mud A apow Hean Brey foc pest repel fered evens bern f neal farighht vert wihow bd, ac) wat five tack Soyew teh ome otters oped eles tT wip: wafer: Mut teat aye ge JW ASV31-- *10,656 ZW ANE. or Hoanvespee oeygy Ae caer gered one The demands, condition of the vehicle, optional equipment, mileage and popularity of the model. They attend auto auctions and keep in close touch with technological changes. Most auto manufacturers, conscious of gasoline consumption, are introducing many light- weight materials and making mechanical changes. Ex- peditors and Adjusters must keep abreast of these changes, particularly if they © are handling two or three million dollars worth of claims a year. The process of deter- mining the actual cash value usually starts with current auto price books. They are the Gold Book, the Red Book, both devoted to current retail prices, and the Black Book which features wholesale prices. In addition, expeditors and adjusters check local newspapers and auto dealers for current prices which may reveal sudden trends and fluctuations. “Generally speaking,” said Skaling, “the three books will give realistic appraisals 75 per cent of the time. Of © course, expeditors and adjusters take into con- sideration such factors as vehicle condition, repairs and improvements when making an appraisal.” However, claimants should be advised not to expect dollar-for-dollar return on auto repairs and maintenance. A_ vehicle owner who spends $1,000 repairing or improving a $500 car is unlikely to see a $1,500 settlement. “A car in good repair however, usually has a higher value than one in poor condition,” said poration settled for $1,900 including U.S. dollar ex- change. This was different from the -usual run of total loss cases. So what happens when an insured thinks his car is worth more than the settlement offer? praiser. If the two appraisers fail to arrive at a fair value, an umpire is appointed and his decision is binding. Failing the appointment of an umpire because of disagreement, either party may apply to a County Court judge to apoint an- umpire auto Skaling, “but the key factor is the market value of the vehicle prior cident.” The Corporation tries to be realistic in all total loss Situations. For instance, a California man _ visiting Vancouver lost his vehicle in an accident. Total loss expeditors offered the man $1,000 which was the current market value of a similar car in British Columbia. “That's ridiculous,” said the man. “! can't buy a replacement like that in California.” to the ac- The claimant was right. An expeditor called the market experts in California where gasoline shortages had driven small-vehicle prices sky-high. The Cor- A claimant should ask to see the claim centre supervisor and explain his reason. If there's no satisfaction, he can go to the claim office manager who can call on specialist advice from the Corporation's Material Damage Depart- ment. If these avenues fail, the vehicle owner can go to arbitration if he feels a settlement is insufficient. In this procedure, the motonst appoints an independent appraiser or some knowledgeable person to act on his behalf, and the Corporation authorizes an appraiser te represent its interests. Each party pays the costs of their own ap- whose decision is binding. The cost of the umpire is also shared.” “This is one of the im- portant protection pro- cedures for B.C. motorists.” said Skaling. “Fewer than one per cent of the estimated 23,000 total losses expected in $980 will go to the ar- bitration process, which says a lot for our expeditors and adjusters.” Incidentally, a car that is “written-off” is not a complete total loss to the Corporation. Such vehicles are solid to licenced wreckers and bonded dealers and will realize about $10 million in salvage recovery in 1980. OPEC stalled by Iran war BEIRUT. Lebanon (UPI) - In the view of leading oil analysts, the Iran-Iraq war has put the OPEC oi] cartel temporarily business " “out of “OPEC is a dead duck,” said Dr. Marwan Iskandar. publisher of the oil! and economic weekly, An-Nahar Arab Report and Memo. “It is out of business until the Volvo ‘‘Diesel’’ One of the authentics A quality car for the future with outstanding economy" SUPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE ATLESS THAN $44,000 (porvare tietye oor lease) For Full Information Call 980-2464 . D5984 Specialty Motor Cars 1970 Ltd. 1235 Marine Ortve, N Van Iran-Iraq war ends, and even then its ability to raise pnces will be hampered for two or three years.” “The war frozen everything,” commented Prof. Robert Mabro. Oxford University of economist The Persian Gulf war could not have come at a worse time for the 13 nation Orgamization of Exporting has Petroleum Countnes The fighting between two ol its DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS \\\\\ RAL OCT. 26th ~ founding members broke out only weeks before the cartel’s 20th anniversary summit which was to ratify a long-term pncing program to guide OPEC through the 1980s The program called for steady but gradual increases in the real pnce of OPEC's oil based combining on oa formula Western economic growth rates inflation and currency fluctuations The long term strategy which the analysts said likely 1982 Or designed to would now have to 196) provide wait until was some much needed predictability) to the world oilmarket while at the same time cnsuring a steady rise in the real value of OPES crude up to the cost of alternative cnergy resour ces “Phe long term strategy cannot be apphed ° Iskandar said “unless OPEC 1s production and keep the market in a rough equulbnum price - can control fo maintain tts The more you hook Memore you the ordom \MPORT AUTOS LTD. 10th & Alma Vancouver 733-8105