Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

[TKDDAD]

Hey there everyone. Yesterday, I was in a front end collision while taking my daughters to a friends house. On our way, a kid made an illegal left turn right in front of us as we were doing about 40 mph. I did what I could to stop but slammed into him and the car suffered some serious damage to the front end. Most imporantly, no one was seriously hurt. A little scared but no scratches (to the occupants anyway )

Here's my situation. The car is 100% paid for. Still has 7 years on the warranty and insurance will cover everything. Is the dealer the best place to go to make sure they put the car back together the way it was ?. It was pristine to say the least. Now, looks like this: (phone photo, I'll get better ones today)


I don't care what it costs to fix it I just want it done right and it shouldn't cost me a dime. Where's the best place to go ??...this has never happened to me before so I hope you guys can steer me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any advice!

P.S. my son, always looking for some humor in every situation says to me, "Dad, does Meguiars make a product called "Front End-X"? (kinda like ScratchX, get it???)

[roushstage2]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

The dealer isn't always the best. Plus, they usually charge the most and that could result in a total loss, but it couldn't hurt to check them out. If you want everything done right, take some time, get a list of local body shops, call the Department of Consumer Affairs first off and see if anyone has filed any complaints against them. If not, head over to the shop and take a peek around. Is it clean (for a body shop)? Tools laying around everywhere? Look at some of the cars they are working on, finishing up, etc. Check to see what certifications they have. PPG Collision?

You can also talk to your insurance company about recommended body shops. Usually they have a list of companies they do business with. If the body shop doesn't do something right, the insurance may make them redo the work. My mother took her truck to a recommended body shop. It had to have front end work and the entire truck repainted. I went down to take a look at it when it was all done. Incredibly horrible orange peel and dirt spots all over it. Called the insurance, and the body shop had to fix it themselves (re-paint it again) and pay for the rental car too.

Just a few thoughts.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

I agree with Tyler. Call around ask your insurance company fo reputable body shops. Just make sure your estimate is for original parts. We were in a accident once and they wanted to repair with off brand parts.

Glad no one was hurt. Keep us posted on the progress of this Bill.

[yalerd]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

Bill,
Sorry to hear about this, glad you and your daughter are ok. Thank God nothing happen to any of you.

I've been hit two times in the rear part, because I wanted things look great, quality and not something fast and cheap so I always requested new parts, like new bumper, new trunk lid, new everything even though they could have been fixed.
I always have taken my car to the dealer.

OH! and BTW Fix End-X is on ADS for 108.99 + shipping...

[Mort Corey]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

Depending on the language used in your policy, taking it to one of the insurance company approved shops might allow them to do repairs with "like kind and quality" parts. That the insurance company may say that they'll stand behind the repairs at their approved shop for as long as you own the car is kind of bogus.....most all of them offer that guarantee. The shops they deal with offer them a cut rate for steering business their way. Whether that translates into better or worse workmanship...who knows?

Twere me, I'd take it to the dealership where I'd be 100% certain that everything was replaced with OEM parts. Ask if they stand behind their work like the insurance company shops and I would venture to guess that they will as well.

Mort

[TKDDAD]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

UPDATE - - - I have decided after talking with several people, to take it to the Hyundai dealer. They are part of a large automotive group that has 12-15 different car lines including BMW. Their collision shop is very large and I was there this morning. And you're right, OEM parts will insure that the remainder of my warranty stays in tact. So, the dealer is going to pick it up today, call me when they get it so I can go take pics. Here's some clearer ones from the impound garage this morning:





Now, anyone ever heard of "dimished value" ??...it's the value lost on a vehicle after an accident. Supposedly you can go after it in some states. Not sure if the insurance company pays or the faulty party.I've only just begun researching it but wondered if anyone had any experience with it.

The saga continues......

[Executive Detailing]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

A few things to consider-

1) In NYS, it is ILLEGAL for insurance companies to "steer" people toward body shops.

2) You will not automatically get OEM parts, unless the other person's policy calls for it. For example: My last accident, with my 2 year old car, the lady who rear-ended me had an insurance policy which would replace only with LKQ (like kind and quality) parts. In other words--junk yard or aftermarket parts. DEMAND OEM!!!! (you may have to pay more, but you will get better fit)

3) You have the right to sue for diminished value of your vehicle, due to the other driver's recklessness( stupidity). But is it really worth it? I would look int it it I were you. (If ti was a collector car or Ferrari I mos-def would sue!!)

4) Sometimes the dealer is not the best place to take your vehicle. Shop around for quality work, and look for computer match paint colors. You can't shop around for prices because the insurance will pay only what they think it will cost to fix. So even if the body shop said it will be $3,000 damage, and the insurance says it is only $2500, guess what--you are getting $2500 unless there is hidden damage.

5) Talk with the body shop manager- ask any and all questions. It is your car, and your money. They will be glad to help you every step of the way.

6) Good luck, don't worry, no one was hurt, and everything will work out.

7) Oh, and I forgot- if the car is totalled, take the insurance check, buy the car back from the insurance company, fix it up, and keep driving payment free! (If the suspension isn't too messed up, that is!)

[Andy M.]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

Hey Bill,

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. At least no one was hurt, that is the important thing! The car doesn't look totaled. Normally what I do when choosing a body shop is the same thing I do with home improvements that I am not doing myself. Always get 3 estimates. The first 2 usually are recommended by the insurance company and then one locally. While I am there I kinda check out thier work and look around a little. I usually end up talking to a detailer and picking his brain a little while I am getting my estimate. I just had the impala in for body work and I used the one the insurance company recommended. They did a great job. I really had no issues at all.

Good luck Bud!
Andy

[TKDDAD]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

Thanks Andy...I appreciate that...it's been a wild year with losing the job too...still not working but hopefull...I'll keep you posted....

[jayharold]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

Try to get a new hood. Looking at the picture it looks like it can be straighten, but they are hard to get right and I never liked alot of body filler in a hood.

[TKDDAD]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

UPDATE #2. It's been exactly 2 weeks since this accident. Got a call last night from the insurance company and it looks like they are totalling my vehicle.

So, after 3 years, many coats of Meguiars products, and 30,000 miles (not many for a 2005) the car that I liked so much is now gone. Somehow it doesn't seem quite fair that some careless individual can cause all of this and I get screwed in the end. The car was totally paid for (doubled up payments to get it paid off sooner) and now, I have to start all over. As you can imagine, I'm not happy.

Is there ammunition anyone has that I can use with the insurance company once I get their "offer" today ?...I have a feeling, just because of the way things have been going, that they are going to low ball the offer. This car had every option available and was immaculate condition. I want to make sure that's used in the evaluation of the vehicle. It;s not just another 2005 Ebony Black Sonata.

There has to be a reason this stuff happens....I just wish I knew what it is....

[benhui86]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

at least you can get a new car now.... watever it may be that you have been wanting.... you have watever insurance gives you for your car as down payment so maybe you can afford something better this time... maybe something in the 30k range....

your car looks pretty totalled to me because you can see there may be frame damage since even the suspension is destroyed...so the car might not drive right after it is fixed....especially when it is so hard to find a body shop that can do a really good job... it may not even be safe to drive it.... i once saw a bad suspension repair done on a toyota tacoma... like a 2002~ model... it was in the school parking lot... i was walking and suddenly CLUNK!!! i turn around and see that the tacoma that was driving by was now only on 3 wheels.... the driver side front wheel had fallen off along with the brake assembly... what exactly broke i do not know but the guy immediately contacted the shop that had recently worked on his truck....

so imagine this happening to your car if it was repaired.... this could have happened when he was on the freeway or something.... this is your family car that you and your family ride in.... are you willing to put your family's lives at stake by fixing a car that has 10k worth of damage.... theres a lot needed to be fixed besides just the sheet metal if its going to cost 10k....

even if that 10k was not for repairing vital structural parts to the car....korean cars dont exactly do well in resale value so 10k is already quite a high percentage of what the car is worth if it was in mint condition now.... whatever they give you for the car is probably more than what you can sell the car for after that accident....

ps....i like how your car is still so shinny under all that snow....

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

About the only thing I can come up with is this. Go to every sight that rates cars. Do all you homework before you talk to the adjuster. Print out all the qoutes if you can.

Good luck, Keep us posted.

[yalerd]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

The insurance company's valuation is usually based on what it will cost them to replace your car from the used car market in your area. If you feel they are shortchanging you, you can always ask them for the paperwork they used to determine the value of the car.

For estimates you can always go to
* Edmunds.com - edmunds.com
* Kelly Blue Book - kbb.com
* NADA guide book - nadaguides.com
And have an idea of what you are going to get.

Sorry to hear about your car, good luck and keep up posted Bill

[Andy M.]

Re: Need COLLISION help from my MOL friends...

Hey Bill,

This is bad news. Let's see what the adjuster says and we'll go from there.

I'll talk to you later.

Andy

UPDATE #2. It's been exactly 2 weeks since this accident. Got a call last night from the insurance company and it looks like they are totalling my vehicle.

So, after 3 years, many coats of Meguiars products, and 30,000 miles (not many for a 2005) the car that I liked so much is now gone. Somehow it doesn't seem quite fair that some careless individual can cause all of this and I get screwed in the end. The car was totally paid for (doubled up payments to get it paid off sooner) and now, I have to start all over. As you can imagine, I'm not happy.

Is there ammunition anyone has that I can use with the insurance company once I get their "offer" today ?...I have a feeling, just because of the way things have been going, that they are going to low ball the offer. This car had every option available and was immaculate condition. I want to make sure that's used in the evaluation of the vehicle. It;s not just another 2005 Ebony Black Sonata.

There has to be a reason this stuff happens....I just wish I knew what it is....