[CAUT] Water Damage

[Porritt, David]

David:

This changes depending on the insurance co. and state law.  I've had "replacement value" insurance on household items which would buy a new piano of same quality.  Other policies have a depreciated value depending on age and condition, and there are other varieties of coverage.  Replacement is - in my view - the only safe option otherwise they can say "well you've had this piano for a year it's only worth xx%" and there's not much you can do.  It does vary a lot.

dp

David M. Porritt, RPT
dporritt at smu.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Ilvedson
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:05 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Water Damage

Out of curiosity, since I have never been in this situation, if the piano is considered a total loss, does the insurance company give the owner an amount equal to the value of the piano as it was before the water damage.   How does that work?   Obviously the owner wants as much as he can so he can replace the piano with another Steinway S or similar...does the insurance company have it appraised?   

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Dennis Johnson" <johnsond at stolaf.edu>
To: caut at ptg.org
Received: 12/1/2009 9:19:49 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Water Damage


>Or, once it is written off as a loss then expectations can be more realistic
>about whatever might be done with it at that time.  You certainly don't need
>the responsibility of a full and complete restoration.  There isn't enough
>money in it to take that liability.

>Dennis.
>_____

>On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 11:05 AM, <wimblees at aol.com> wrote:

>> Steve
>>
>> I concur with everything Bill just said. This is a total loss. Unless you
>> are a very experienced rebuilder, including knowing how to do extensive case
>> work, much less soundboard, pin block, and action restoration, I would send
>> the piano to someone who does.
>>
>>  Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
>> Piano Tuner/Technician
>> 94-505 Kealakaa Str.
>> Mililani, Oahu, HI  96789
>> 808-349-2943
>> www.Bleespiano.com <http://www.bleespiano.com/>
>> Author of:
>> The Business of Piano Tuning
>> available from Potter Press
>> www.pianotuning.com
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Stephen Snyder <shsnyder1 at verizon.net>
>> To: caut at ptg.org
>> Sent: Tue, Dec 1, 2009 2:47 am
>> Subject: [CAUT] Water Damage
>>
>> Dear Colleagues,
>>
>> I have been asked to appraise/ evaluate/estimate for insurance purposes a
>> Steinway S #317539 that has significant water damage. By the time I saw the
>> piano the water had been removed. The customer told me there was water on
>> the plate bass section of the plate web/tuning pin area, a small area of the
>> soundboard along the spine , all throughout the action and key bed. The
>> action is a mess as you would imagine- seized up, backcheck & knuckle
>> leather coming unglued, nice ivory keytops all coming unglued and curling,
>> keybushings shot, etc. The bass dampers are stuck to the strings. Couldn't
>> really evaluate the pinblock. The finish is coming off the music desk, cheek
>> blocks and fallboard and there is evidence moisture on the long lid hinge.
>> The cabinet was in fair condition before the water damage. Soundboard and
>> bridges appear to be OK. I know that the effects of water damage can take
>> quite a while to show up so at this point I feel I should recommend a New
>> pinblock, tuning pins, strings, damper felt and a complete New action.
>> Cabinet restoration. Questions I have for you are 1. Does this sound
>> reasonable? 2. Should I include New keysticks and action frame with the
>> estimate? 3. Am I likely to have problems with the keybed as well? Sorry I
>> don't have pictures . I would appreciate any advice you would be willing to
>> offer. Thanks!
>>
>> Regards,
>> Steve
>>
>> Stephen Snyder
>> Registered Piano Technician
>> 342 Scotts Lake Road
>> Salem, NY 12865
>>
>> (518) 854-3888 (home)
>> (518) 321-3813(cell)
>> shsnyder1 at verizon.net
>>
>>
>>