The realistic solution here is to insist on full repairs - meaning
including the reskinning. Also, make sure you get your estimates from
shops that don't have a reputation for taking a year to do jobs like
this (they are out there - the one at my home field is one of them).

The estimates will be high - meaning not worth it. The insurance
company will total the plane, write you a check, and sell the plane.
Then, if you still want that plane, you buy it - at market value. That
way, they take the market value hit.

Michael


wrote:
My Beech Sundowner sustained some hail damage a few weeks ago. About
15 planes on the ramp (IJD) were hit. I have a fist sized hole in one
wingtip and all the control surfaces are dimpled. There's a few on the
wing tops and fuse top, but you really have to look in the right light
to see them. Tail cone and stab tips also show light damage.

What's a real shame is this plane didn't have a mark on it. Had been
painted about 4 years ago and looked real sharp. But the reality is,
aside from the wingtip, you don't notice the dimpling, I'd say most of
it is light to moderate - perfectly airworthy.

My A&P is doing up an estimate now and is guessing about 15K, which
includes reskinning all the control surfaces. Insured hull value is
46K.

So, if I were to turn around and try to sell this plane in the
condition it's in, what kind of loss of value am I looking at? Lots of
planes out there show some hail damage but never really thought what
that impact on value would be.

I know one of the insurance options is a "loss of value" check, with
the understanding that the repairs won't be made. I also understand
that this option is probably the least beneficial to me. So far the
adjuster has been great, flew out and looked the plane over and said
get an estimate, maybe 2. He says the best option for me would be to
get it all fixed... but then it's all in the logs, so i still take
somewhat of a hit. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.