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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Totalled my (first) 914 in 3 weeks
Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:02 PM
I bought a nice '74 1.8 from Craig on our WCC trip. Drove it home from Portland (1100 miles), parked it in the driveway. Bought "antique" registration for the car due to it being 30+ years old. Had an appraisal done on Friday May 13 so that I could buy "stated value" insurance. Was working on my other car... decided to drive the 914 while waiting for the appraisal to be returned. Was supposed to receive it on Sunday or Monday (May 15-16). Didn't hear from the appraiser so I called him on Tuesday or Wednesday, no answer. Thursday comes and I needed to drive across the city, still messing with the other car so I drive the 914. Turn left across a poorly designed intersection with terrible traffic light sequence and get nailed. Get a ticket for the accident, get put at fault for the accident.
My antique registration/insurance limits me to a maximum of $800 minus a $500 deductible. I received the appraisal back on Saturday afternoon (less than 2 days after) and it came out at $12,500.
Now the fight begins to try to get paid something for the car. I have a letter from my insurance broker stating I was in there for the stated value policy on April 27 when I got my antique insurance but needed a certified appraisal. I have the appraisal dated May 13 with the receipt dated May 21. Accident was on May 19.
Things don't look good...
I'm hoping to get paid something for the car but I'm expecting to get nothing. If that's the case I think I will start looking for a bare car to swap my parts into so I at least have something to drive. Any tips or suggestions on what my best plan may be?
I've had a few cars in the past that I was wishing would get totalled, but I've never been in an accident. I finally get a car that I absolutely love and hope to keep and it gets destroyed, with no insurance. This sucks.
The only good thing is that I didn't have anybody with me otherwise they would have
been injured.
Before...
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Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:03 PM
After...
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Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:04 PM
another
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Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:04 PM
some more
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Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:05 PM
twisted
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Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:06 PM
driver's door sticking
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Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:07 PM
exhaust hit the center meridian when I was spun
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Posted by: McMark May 25 2005, 12:07 PM
That seriously sucks. Always hate to see another one die. 
I hope you can at least get some $ out of it.
Sucks. Lotta good parts there though.
Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:08 PM
right rear donut facing forward
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Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:08 PM
underside facing rear
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Posted by: tat2dphreak May 25 2005, 12:10 PM
damn man, that sux...
sorry man... i think you are right to not expect much, but I know how it must pain you...
Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 12:15 PM
I don't think it's repairable, but the cops let me drive it home and it still drives okay.
I should be able to salvage the parts if I can find a decent body to put them in. Around here, that's gonna be tough. Does anybody have any leads??
Posted by: rdauenhauer May 25 2005, 12:18 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo! 
Dan sorry to hear. At first glance I though "thats fixable" 
Posted by: SirAndy May 25 2005, 12:18 PM
you'll need a body shop that has the factory porsche fixtures.
i'm sure this (the frame) can be straightened out ...
contact scott yeaman at yeaman autobody in palo alto.
he does have the fixtures and the bench to pull the frame back to factory specs ...
Yeaman Autobody
2025 East Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
tel.: 650 328-8169
Scott's a 914 guy, he'll be able to help ...
Andy
Posted by: tat2dphreak May 25 2005, 12:21 PM
| QUOTE (Dan_F @ May 25 2005, 01:15 PM) |
| I don't think it's repairable, but the cops let me drive it home and it still drives okay. I should be able to salvage the parts if I can find a decent body to put them in. Around here, that's gonna be tough. Does anybody have any leads?? |
I think it could be repaired... not cheaply, but replacing it won't be much cheaper if at all...
Posted by: McMark May 25 2005, 12:22 PM
Fixing it would probably be cheaper than getting a nice new tub up there. But I'd only get it fixed with the factory tools Andy is talking about.
Posted by: DrifterJay May 25 2005, 12:27 PM
brings a tear...
Posted by: Scott Carlberg May 25 2005, 12:27 PM
Dan,
sorry to hear about your accident.
What about You, personally/physically?
Here's hoping you were NOT injured 
Posted by: Jenny May 25 2005, 12:32 PM
| QUOTE (SirAndy @ May 25 2005, 11:18 AM) |
| contact scott yeaman at yeaman autobody in palo alto. he does have the fixtures and the bench to pull the frame back to factory specs ... |
Saskachewan (or however it's spelled) is a long haul to Palo Alto. He can probably find someone local. Maybe not a 914 person, but it depends on how much that's worth to Dan.
Jen
Posted by: Lyressa Roberts May 25 2005, 12:42 PM
Oh, dude...that sux.
That was a beautiful car...
Posted by: drgchapman May 25 2005, 12:50 PM
What a shame. I saw that car at Craig's, nice one......was. We have a 73 signal orange 2.0 using as daily driver as the weather drys up here in Portland. Seem to have our own share of near misses......don't seem to happen as much with Suburban or Mercedes. I don't see a target on the side of the car! I hope you find a suitable tub to rebuild with. If not you have some mighty fine looking bumpers there........
Posted by: jet1 May 25 2005, 12:53 PM
that sux!!
Good luck with the insurance.
Posted by: Headrage May 25 2005, 12:54 PM
That really blows... Sorry to hear about the accident.
It still warms my heart when a teener sacrifices itself to protect it's driver.
Posted by: Eric Taylor May 25 2005, 12:54 PM
Man. I think we need a moment of silence for that one. I'm sadder about this then when my cat died. I remember when you got that car. It was a beauty. Wasn't that jims car at one point? From tennessee or something. Anyway, I seriously feel for you because i've been there. It sucks to total a 914. If it helps here are the pictures of the tree that hit me.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=89380
In my case it was twisted as well. Frame machine helped, but it was done sauce. I got a really nice 72 replacement for it and that made the pain a little less. Oh yeah no insurance on that one either.
Eric
Posted by: jet1 May 25 2005, 01:00 PM
I am surprised the windshield did not crack. It looks like it popped out a little.
Posted by: Aaron Cox May 25 2005, 01:04 PM
ouch! what happened??????
Posted by: 914GT May 25 2005, 01:08 PM
It's a car. Be glad you didn't get hit on the driver's door.
Posted by: rhodyguy May 25 2005, 01:54 PM
bummer eh? glad to hear you are okay. i'll have to reread the ins hassle. bottom line hold on to the car. there's plenty of parts to help you recoup your loses. perhaps a post dated apprasial from one in the know, aka camp914.
k
Posted by: Travis Neff May 25 2005, 02:08 PM
Did you have a policy bound? Meaning did you pay money for a policy, then waiting for the apprasial only? Or were you waiting to bind coverage after the appraisal was done?
If you paid money for a policy, and your coverage dates were covering the accident date - you indeed have coverage. I don't know if you have a department of insurance in Canada - but I'd check it out and involve them if possible.
Good luck, glad you walked away.
Posted by: Travis Neff May 25 2005, 02:23 PM
If they are going to state that your car was not insured - there is a generalized auto insurance (at least in the states) sort of rule. You have 30 days to notify your insurance provider of new car, during that period you are covered under the same amounts as your other cars on your policy. That may have been the rule for the insurance company I worked for - worth investigating. Also, if the broker did write you a policy and the insurance company will not cover you - there may be a liability on the brokers part. Most likely a claim on their "EO" or errors and omissions policy that he should have to write business.
Posted by: Dan_F May 25 2005, 02:26 PM
Thanks for the sympathy everyone... the car was owned by Jim Chambers, originally from Nebraska.
There's alot of new parts on the car, all bumper rubber is brand new, seats and backpad were just recovered, paint was brand new, etc. Trunk seals and door seals were just replaced.
I think taking the car to Palo Alto is out of the question, I'm assuming it would cost thousands to repair. Is that a fair assumption?
I have no idea where the closest place would be that has the proper equipment but it's interesting to hear that it looks fixable.
As for insurance, I didn't have any kind of policy set up yet because I was told I needed the appraisal to apply. The appraisal was done before the accident but I had not received the paperwork yet. The insurance broker that I bought the basic insurance from is helping me out but I don't know if that will be enough.
The most important thing is that my girlfriend wasn't with me. A passenger would have been hurt quite bad I think.
I was hit by a Toyota Tercel. A bigger vehicle would have made me much less fortunate physically as I would have smashed into the meridian. The only pain is financial and that can be fixed over time. Could be worse I guess.
Posted by: Toast May 25 2005, 02:31 PM
Thats the side I always get hit on. 
Sorry, that really sucks. Looks like frame is bent, definatly totaled.
I wish you luck getting $. Insurance may deny because you did not recieve your notice until 2 days after accident.
Good luck.
Posted by: Gint May 25 2005, 05:13 PM
Ouch! Glad to hear you're OK.
Been there. I feel your pain. That looks like it can be fixed to me. If you can get it fixed properly, in the long run I don't think it would cost much more than finding a replacement tub in your neck of the woods.
Posted by: GWN7 May 25 2005, 05:27 PM
Sorry to hear about that, but glad your ok.
Wait till you hear from SPIC (or whatever it's called) before you decide.
It might be fixable, but you will be without the car for a long time. Try your local trades college to see if they are interested in repairing it for their autobody courses.
or I know where a roller is.... Nevada car, needs all the nice parts yours has. Only problem is that it will be a few weeks before it can be accessed (too much water here to get to it)
only pic I have of it....
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Posted by: SLITS May 25 2005, 05:31 PM
I know the Canucks are not backward.....do the research thingy and find a frame repair shop with a good frame puller and ask them what it would cost to pull it back....you'll have a better idea then of what to do.
While shipping sucks...I have a door and full rear clip if you want to repair it. I'll cut it, you pay for shipping...nothing else.
Posted by: joeav8tor May 25 2005, 05:33 PM
sorry brother! that sucks...at least you walked away from it unharmed....but it still hurts...it hurts me to look at the pictures. Hopefully it will work out for you, hang in there. Have a couple of these... 
Joe
Posted by: mihai914 May 25 2005, 06:09 PM
Call the Canadian Insurance Bureau and talk to one of their reps. They are supposed to be watching insurance companys in Canada. Although they do not have any power to get things in your favor, they can suggest you the beat way to go through a problem with an insurance company.
www.ibc.ca is their website.
These guys are supposed to be neutral but most of the time they know it's the small guy against the big assholes so they will tell you the tricks to put them on their knees if you are in the right to do so of course.
Mihai
Posted by: Porsche Rescue May 25 2005, 06:15 PM
I feel for you Dan. Hope you can get a decent settlement.
Posted by: GWN7 May 25 2005, 06:25 PM
Saskatchewan has http://www.sgi.sk.ca/sgi_internet/sgi_pub/vehicle_insurance/coverage_information/coverage_information.htm or Saskatchewan Government Insurance (not SPIC as I previously posted Sask. Public Ins. Corp.) Here it's MPIC. Both are a crown corporation.
Hard to fight the government.
Posted by: rick 918-S May 25 2005, 06:34 PM
I owned a Cellette chassis table like Sir Andy mentioned. I wouldn't fix that car. Cowl hits are the worse. I can see the windsheild pillar and cowl are rolled in. The roll bar is distorted, the back half is kicked up.... Bad hit.... sorry Really glad your ok, it was a really nice car. Maybe you can make a deal with Bruce.
Posted by: jim_hoyland May 25 2005, 06:48 PM
I saw a mint 914 get hit by a snow plow; everyone thought it was all over. Looked worse than yours. Guy took it to a body shop that had a laser fram straightening jig and a great body guy. That car still looks perfect today.
Posted by: Headrage May 25 2005, 06:53 PM
| QUOTE (914GT @ May 25 2005, 12:08 PM) |
| It's a car. Be glad you didn't get hit on the driver's door. |
This is important. I don't know how well a 914 would protect you if the blow comes from the drivers side. She would probably give her life, but would it be enough???Glad you are okay.....
Posted by: TROJANMAN May 25 2005, 07:41 PM
how fast was the other guy going? that looks like a lot of damage to come from a tercel. 
Posted by: mike_the_man May 25 2005, 07:43 PM
Hmm, there are a couple of decent frame shops around here, that might be able to do it. It wouldn't hurt to talk to them. That tub of Bruce's looks pretty nice too. A road trip to Winnipeg may be in order!
Posted by: Porsche Rescue May 25 2005, 07:59 PM
Go for the red car that Bruce shows. All your stuff will make it a nice car and you'll have those flares!
Posted by: orange914 May 25 2005, 09:36 PM
hey i just got in an accident also but it is not NEAR as bad, here is a pic...
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Posted by: boxstr May 25 2005, 11:15 PM
DAN,DAN,DAN, That is the worst. I just got home and saw the email from Jim Chambers. If there is anything I can help with let me know. No I can't give you back your check, nice try.
CCLINFRAMERACK
Posted by: a.munoz3 May 26 2005, 12:09 AM
owwwww man! 
cant look at the pics it makes me feel all weird inside.
Posted by: redshift May 26 2005, 12:33 AM
It's disheartening... it'll be ok, glad you are with us.
M
Posted by: Brando May 26 2005, 01:01 AM
You lived, that is #1. I'm sorry to see your car in such dis-repair. 
Posted by: Dan_F May 26 2005, 08:39 AM
Thanks for all of the tips/suggestions from everyone.
As of right now, I think Bruce's car is the way to go. I'll check around with frame shops and maybe the auto body school just to see what they think of it. I'm doubtful the car would ever stay properly aligned though... the driver door is sticking pretty bad so the whole car is twisted. I'm not a body guy though so I don't know.
Craig - I'm not happy with the car... I'll drive it back and I'll even let you keep my deposit. No hard feelings. 
Everything will work out in the end... it always does. Not like it's the first car I've lost money on. 
I will update when I hear from the insurance adjuster.
Posted by: rhodyguy May 26 2005, 09:26 AM
there's a guy in oregon that has a grand cheerokee(sp) and a tow dolly, with a super clean silver chassis. metaline falls wa is beatiful this time of the year and a stones throw from the border. 
k
Posted by: CptTripps May 26 2005, 09:34 AM
That kind of stuff makes me nervous to drive mine anymore! But in the end...they are just cars.
Posted by: Dan_F Jun 30 2005, 05:36 PM
Update...
I just received a call from my insurance broker. He was much more than helpful and went all the way up to the head of the auto department of the insurance company to help me out. They won't budge on the $300 maximum payout.
This sucks big time but what's done is done and I am going to try to make the most of it. I will be buying the roller from Bruce and taking on the biggest project of my life by swapping my parts over. Luckily I have a couple friends with good mechanical skills, alot of motivation to get back on the road in a 914, and alot of resources on this site.
If all goes relatively well, I should be going again for another couple thousand Canadian dollars and alot of work. The only thing I will really need to find is a passenger window and door guts. I should have everything else between the two chassis.
Now if it would just stop raining so Bruce can get at the car...
Chalk one up to a life lesson learned.
Posted by: ! Jun 30 2005, 07:15 PM
Big deal....he went to the head dickhead in charge of the COMPANY THAT WANTS TO SCREW YOU....take it up with the government agency that oversees insurance companies...file a formal complaint.
Posted by: redshift Jun 30 2005, 07:23 PM
Dood.. that sucks.
Have you considered stealing a car, and playing bumper cars, at their headquarters?
I did!
M
Posted by: GWN7 Jun 30 2005, 08:12 PM
| QUOTE (Manfred Z @ Jun 30 2005, 05:15 PM) |
| Big deal....he went to the head dickhead in charge of the COMPANY THAT WANTS TO SCREW YOU....take it up with the government agency that oversees insurance companies...file a formal complaint. |
Saskatchewan like Manitoba only has one insurance company. Government run. They make the rules and there is very little you can do to change their minds.
We had another 3" - 5" of rain yesterday. Some parts of the province had 275mm (11" of rain in the last 24hrs) There are 5 watershed basins that drain Manitoba (an area the size of North & South Dakota & Minnesota) every one of the basins is under flood alert.
If things stay dry (fat chance of that) it will be at least a month before I can get to the car at the farm.
Dan,
I have the passenger door off the orange 72 but it's a early style. There should be extra door/window parts that came with the 74 in my shed. I have to look.
Posted by: ! Jun 30 2005, 08:25 PM
Well they answer to SOMEBODY don't they?
Posted by: GWN7 Jun 30 2005, 08:37 PM
Nope.....Crown Corporation...set up as a semi independant company with government funding...... They make the rules and if they don't like anyone winning by playing their rules, they have the governmet pass new laws so you can't win.
The man in charge would be the Minister of Highways, but all he would do is say "Sorry those are the rules"
Posted by: Dan_F Jul 4 2005, 02:15 PM
Like Bruce said, it's gov't run insurance here and it's luck of the draw generally. I still have not signed anything agreeing with them but I'm not sure how else I can try to fight this without spending big $$$ in legal fees when the judge is paid by the same people that run the insurance company.
The guy's reason that they can't budge is if they do it for me they would have to do it for everybody that claimed they were going to get insurance. I said I could understand if I had received the appraisal and got in an accident several months later, but in this case I was obviously just waiting for the appraisal to get the full policy. He agrees but "rules are rules".
The best part of the deal though, I got a $220 ticket for the accident for a failure to yeild to oncoming traffic. For being in an at-fault accident, the insurance company has charged me $100 due to points deductions. After I pay the traffic ticket, I will receive more points deductions which the insurance company will charge me another $200. Sweet, eh? I'm sure glad I had insurance. Gives me piece of mind. 
Bruce, it's been raining here almost everyday also. Worst summer ever.
Anyway, let me know if things ever get better out there... maybe we'll have to make an ice road in the winter like they do in the muskeg.
| QUOTE |
| Have you considered stealing a car, and playing bumper cars, at their headquarters? I did! |
That's a tempting thought. Did it help for you?
Posted by: BPGREER Jul 4 2005, 02:30 PM
| QUOTE |
| Saskatchewan like Manitoba only has one insurance company. Government run. |
Monopolies don't sit well with me. That must be the definition of "what's the worst case...". Hope the rain let's up so you can get to work. Makes my 914 "to do list" look awful easy. Good luck.
-Brian
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