Insurance claim pending, need new speakers

In my experience, that has been so. Unless there is a policy limit in place, the insurance company would be obligated to replace with the same make and model if still available.

Bear in mind, I'm in Canada. If you're in the US, I've no knowledge if the insurance industry guidelines differ. Logically, LKQ replacement criteria should still apply.

But, it's the adjuster's call. Discussions between myself and them were necessary from time to time including explanatory e-mails when replacement costs were higher than they expected.

Insurance adjusters can get audited so having corroboration in their files for higher that perceived replacement costs saves their asses.

Probably unlikely but if for some reason, that speaker manufacturer retained that model designation but applied it to a higher end model, the adjuster could consider the same model number betterment. If that manufacturer offers the same performance as the original at a lower cost and calls it something else, that may be that is what the adjuster is going to offer. It depends on how savvy they are or who's opinion they trust.

They will of course, look for the least expensive way to settle, but in your case, it seems straight foreward. They may however, take exception if you bought the originals used and have no receipt. Adjusters love receipts so if you bought new and have the receipt there should be no dispute.

For example, one claim I was involved with, a woman had 2 pairs of Lowether something or other stolen. She bought them at auction for $500 and the adjuster knew this. I told the adjuster, I researched replacement Lowether's and the cost was $5000 per pair.

The adjuster would not go $10,000 for a $500 used purchase so there was a compromise. The insured got speakers worth about $2000 and a receiver upgrade. She was powering the Lowether's with an inexpensive Yamaha receiver - what the speakers came with. She did know much about stereo equipment and was a bit choked to learn what she had were worth so much but she accepted the situation and took what was offered. If she chose to dispute it the outcome might have been different but who knows how long that would have taken or how her premiums would be affected. She could have been denied policy renewal and if one company knows that, they all know that.

A friend of mine recently went through the dispute process. A tree fell onto his deck and the adjuster was quoted $30,000 by a restoration company and an engineering company to repair it. My friend owns a contracting company and built the deck himself. He disagreed stating $125,000 was needed for a rebuild. It took 18 months but he got the new deck.

If an adjuster thinks you're a pain in the neck, your file goes right to the bottom of the pile.

You, on the other hand, should be able to make your case fairly easily but should review the terms and conditions of the policy.

If it's your own home insurance, ask your agent/broker for clarification if needed. If it's the carrier's insurance, review the agreement you have with them. Might be they state up front not being responsible for anything past a certain amount.
 
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I would recommend the Audio Note K/Lx for your budget - the Audio Note dealer is in WanChai across from the Queen Victoria on Lockhart road. In my opinion sounds better than the Harbeth 30.1

It is a sealed acoustic suspension design but efficient. I'd try for the AN J/Lx but it might be over your budget - depends. Worth an audition. I run my AN E in this smallish HK apartment on the short wall and they sound very good surprisingly - I was worried about the E - but the high ceilings and concrete walls don't hurt at all.

http://www.elephant.com.hk/contactus.php

I most certainly should give them a listen. Thanks for that.
 
I most certainly should give them a listen. Thanks for that.
The last time I was there they were sold out of the AN E, AN K, and AX Two. They had one demo pair of AN J/LX. This is Audio Note's number one selling dealer. Hopefully they have something in stock. They all speak English - TH and Eddy are the sales guys I deal with and TH runs the audio department. Mention me - Richard Austen. Maybe you can get a deal.

If you decide on the KEF LS-50 I have a pair I am willing to sell. Although to be honest the used price is probably about the same price as a new AX Two - which IMO is the better sounding speaker. I have both. The AX Two though doesn't look as nice. (Not selling that one though). :no:
 
In my experience, that has been so. Unless there is a policy limit in place, the insurance company would be obligated to replace with the same make and model if still available.

Bear in mind, I'm in Canada. If you're in the US, I've no knowledge if the insurance industry guidelines differ. Logically, LKQ replacement criteria should still apply.

But, it's the adjuster's call. Discussions between myself and them were necessary from time to time including explanatory e-mails when replacement costs were higher than they expected.

Insurance adjusters can get audited so having corroboration in their files for higher that perceived replacement costs saves their asses.

Probably unlikely but if for some reason, that speaker manufacturer retained that model designation but applied it to a higher end model, the adjuster could consider the same model number betterment. If that manufacturer offers the same performance as the original at a lower cost and calls it something else, that may be that is what the adjuster is going to offer. It depends on how savvy they are or who's opinion they trust.

They will of course, look for the least expensive way to settle, but in your case, it seems straight foreward. They may however, take exception if you bought the originals used and have no receipt. Adjusters love receipts so if you bought new and have the receipt there should be no dispute.

For example, one claim I was involved with, a woman had 2 pairs of Lowether something or other stolen. She bought them at auction for $500 and the adjuster knew this. I told the adjuster, I researched replacement Lowether's and the cost was $5000 per pair.

The adjuster would not go $10,000 for a $500 used purchase so there was a compromise. The insured got speakers worth about $2000 and a receiver upgrade. She was powering the Lowether's with an inexpensive Yamaha receiver - what the speakers came with. She did know much about stereo equipment and was a bit choked to learn what she had were worth so much but she accepted the situation and took what was offered. If she chose to dispute it the outcome might have been different but who knows how long that would have taken or how her premiums would be affected. She could have been denied policy renewal and if one company knows that, they all know that.

A friend of mine recently went through the dispute process. A tree fell onto his deck and the adjuster was quoted $30,000 by a restoration company and an engineering company to repair it. My friend owns a contracting company and built the deck himself. He disagreed stating $125,000 was needed for a rebuild. It took 18 months but he got the new deck.

If an adjuster thinks you're a pain in the neck, your file goes right to the bottom of the pile.

You, on the other hand, should be able to make your case fairly easily but should review the terms and conditions of the policy.

If it's your own home insurance, ask your agent/broker for clarification if needed. If it's the carrier's insurance, review the agreement you have with them. Might be they state up front not being responsible for anything past a certain amount.

Thanks - I live in Hong Kong but from Canada and probably will move back in 10+ years. I bought new have the receipt but Audio Note keeps the same products with the same name - but as inflation rises so do their prices. I probably really should look at getting insurance for my stuff and for me. But some of the prices just for health insurance seem crazy. Perhaps I will look at Manulife - I'm Canadian - they're Canadian - and big enough not to fail I should think. Medical is free in HK - well if I break my leg I would pay $15 total for everything at an ER so I have dragged my feet on medical insurance. But I had to end my medical coverage in Canada for non residency tax purposes in Canada.
 
Thanks Richard. I'm going to try and get there today, I might have a meeting in Causeway Bay, if so, I have no excuse not to go. I’m thinking about the KEF’s but I’m not 100% sold on them. I know my wife would like the small footprint. But she likes the ELAC’s I am considering so who knows.


I have a pair of the Canadian kit AN-E’s in my studio that I really like, but are tooooooo big for our apartment sadly, or not, I do like them for listening while I work.


How’s it going with you? I’m still using the AudioSpace amp I got off you. Currently driving the AN-E’s in the studio.
 
Medical is free in HK - well if I break my leg I would pay $15 total for everything at an ER so I have dragged my feet on medical insurance.
I had an American friend (who has a HK ID card) get Hepatitis, probably from some bad seafood he ate in Manila. He was amazed that after a prolonged hospital stay with multiple test and specialist visits his bill was about US$25. But back to speakers.
 
Well, I just listened to a pair of AudioNote AN-K's followed by a set of AN-J's, I reckon there might be a pair of AN-J's in my future. If I can get around the WAF with them ...
 
Well, I just listened to a pair of AudioNote AN-K's followed by a set of AN-J's, I reckon there might be a pair of AN-J's in my future. If I can get around the WAF with them ...

They come in 40 finish options so she should like something :)
I was stuck on my island - no bus or ferry due to the typhoon and some problem on the Tsing Ma bridge.

Last month I bought the DAC 0.1x and M3 Phono Balanced Preamp. Listening right now. The AN J in my opinion is ridiculously underrated because of the E and because of the way it looks - a rectangle box in 2017! Indeed, some people prefer the J to the E. Likely because it is easier to position and get right - and it actually has an easier load than the E - so while the e is higher sensitivity - it dips to 3.9ohms while the J never drops below 5 ohms - so on an amplifier like the OTO the J doesn't run out of gas in the bass.
 
since you're in Hong Kong, you have choices we don't have. I'd look at the newer versions of the LS3/5A,
the LS50, and one I heard that made me cry and wet my pants.

Volent. Heard it next to the newer LSs and no comparison.

I'd also bring my own music. hopefully you have collected the CD/SACDs from the HK AV shows. My
favorites are 2010, 2014, 2015.

don't have the 2010 and the 2017.
 
since you're in Hong Kong, you have choices we don't have. I'd look at the newer versions of the LS3/5A,
the LS50, and one I heard that made me cry and wet my pants.

Volent. Heard it next to the newer LSs and no comparison.

I'd also bring my own music. hopefully you have collected the CD/SACDs from the HK AV shows. My
favorites are 2010, 2014, 2015.

don't have the 2010 and the 2017.
I have a few cd' s that I take with me when I listen. Stuff I know inside out.

Listened to some ProAc Response speakers today. Interesting. Rather nice, but I'm still deciding between the Elac's and the Audio Note's.
 
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