[DAVID GAGNARD]

Steve/klay;

I am an independent appraiser here in Louisiana. I contract my services out to insurance companys who need or do not have "in-house or staff appraisers". Currently I am only working for one company,a top five company in Louisiana and it is also a nationwide company....They do have staff appraisers,but also hire independents like myself to compliment their staff guys... My area is 6 parishes (counties) and I have in the last five years dropped a number of small mom and pop companys since my claims count has steadily grown with this company..... I look at an average of 110 to 125 vehicles a month barring hail storms or hurricanes....then the claims count really goes up...I guess I'm doing a good job,because they have kept me with them for 10 years now and out of the 14 or so independents they use,I'm usually in the top three in claims.

Not only I do appraisals,but I also do reinspections and as stated some investigations,and I also inspect shops for proper equipment and see that their employess are properly trained for their jobs,mostly ASE and I-CAR around here for which I am certified in both. I also meet with and report to the underwriting staff when we have mutiple or similar claims with one person or family (staged accidents) and report persons that I beleive may be a bad risk or hazard because of driving record or the circumstances surrounding the accident...
I worked in a large body shop for 14 years prior to my starting my own business and the last four years I was shop manager....

To all concerned,the insurance companys are not trying to rip anyone off,they are like any other business,if they do not make a profit, the go out of business,some cars are more profitable to insure than others,as some types are more invovled in accidents and stolen than others....The office that is in the parish (county) where I live LOSES one to a million and half dollars a year on the auto side of their business,the homeowners side makes enough profit to offset this and show a total profit for the year,that's the only way they can stay in business.....This is one parish out of 64 in the state..I can not say all the other parishes do the same,but you get the idea....

I am not trying to be an add or poster boy for the insurance companys,I do not sell insurance , I work in claims,but I do know how the insurance industry works....Personally,if I ran the company I work for,I would NEVER insure a Cobra,kit or original,the exposure is just too great for the premium....If you think your premiums are high,start your own company and then talk to me about high premiums.....When you get hit with a multimillion dollar lawsuit invovling mutiple fatalitys,then tell me how long will it take to recoup your loses for a 500 dollar a year premium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The company I work for does it all the time....

I probably work claims involving fatalitys at least once a month,last month had FIVE fatalitys in one accident,all in their late thirties to early fortys with wives and 3 to 5 kids each,what do you think the payout will be for that one accident.....

Klay,in talking to my buddy with the street rods this week,he told me they get their cars inspected at car shows or cruise-ins,as the inspectors are their and that saves them trips to find these guys.....They set-up an inspection area and do this for the day or weekend depending on the number off cars needing an inspection....Did not ask the fee,but will find out and look into the NSRA thing.....

I think starting our own group to inspect the cars is great and I will help out in anyway I can,just thought that adding an NSRA inspection (if they will do it) to our cars could not hurt.....

David