update/ sad day, estimate for repair Options

[oldschool]

so the insurance gal came by today, took some photos, mileage,dent,vin and all 4 corners, went to her car and came back with a printed sheet....preliminary estimate
total $5219.96

she said that they will total it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

parts.12.8 hrs @ 32.hr $4214.53
body labor 2.6 hrs @32.hr $409.60
paint labor 2.0 hrs @32.hr $83.20
frame labor 2.o hrs @38. $76.
paint supplies 2.6 hrs @24.hr $62.40

[zonedoubt]

There definitely seems to be a spike in 914 accidents around here.

[jmill]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with all of the above. Take them to court. They most likely will roll over just like every one said. Freaking insurance companies... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Almost as bad as those Tow Truck drivers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

[Cupomeat]

There definitely seems to be a spike in 914 accidents around here.

Good point, that must be the reason why I disabled mine by not finishing an external oil cooler add-on project this weekend... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

...not exactly jack stands, as it can be pushed, but the same basic result.

[jhadler]

Everybody's already put in pretty much the right info. DO NOT accept that offer.

I've been in this position a few times now. Their client damaged your property. They are responsible for just compensation.

You have a second vehicle, you have time. You don't need rental car coverage, but you do need for your car to be repaired PROPERLY, and to your satisfaction. If you have the time, you have the upper hand. Be a pain in their backsides, be stubborn. Do not be belligerent. You are not obligated to accept their offer. If you can wait 'em out, you have the upper hand. Sooner or later they will have pressure to clear their case, and will settle with you on your terms.

Get some quotes from GOOD body shops in your area for a full and complete repair. Don't pad it, but don't cheap out either. Give them (the insurance company) a copy of that estimate.

I don't think you mentioned it, but what insurance company are you dealing with??

-Josh2

[horizontally-opposed]

...they hit me, its their insurance

Then their "estimate" is nothing more than an offer.

Counter with more than what you really want and let them know that if they prefer this can be settled in court.

Then lawyer up. They'll either roll over or fight. Rolling over is usually cheaper for them.

Exactly.

My car wouldn't exist today if I hadn't run into a local Porsche guy at Lukes and Shorman right after visiting the other driver's Farmer's Insurance offices, where a delighted woman told me that they were "going to total my car for (me)" as if it was my lucky day. The hit to my car was VERY similar to yours, but didn't affect the trunk lid, which popped open and saved itself.

What I learned was:

-They don't get to make the decision on totaling your car s easily as that.
-They don't get to tell you what body shop you'll be using.
-They don't get to establish the value of your car without taking into account (accurate) information you provide.

His best advice, though, was this: turn the matter (And your research) over to YOUR insurance agent and have them handle it, with explicit instructions that you want to fix the car.

I'd only go the lawyer route if all of the above fails. It sure looks like your car is worth more than $5200 -- just like my car was worth more than $3500 18 years ago. And, your car will be worth a lot more than $5200 18 years from now so long as you fight for it.

You'll get through this -- and it WILL be worth your time.

pete

[oldschool]

...they hit me, its their insurance

Then their "estimate" is nothing more than an offer.

Counter with more than what you really want and let them know that if they prefer this can be settled in court.

Then lawyer up. They'll either roll over or fight. Rolling over is usually cheaper for them.

Exactly.

My car wouldn't exist today if I hadn't run into a local Porsche guy at Lukes and Shorman right after visiting the other driver's Farmer's Insurance offices, where a delighted woman told me that they were "going to total my car for (me)" as if it was my lucky day. The hit to my car was VERY similar to yours, but didn't affect the trunk lid, which popped open and saved itself.

What I learned was:

-They don't get to make the decision on totaling your car s easily as that.
-They don't get to tell you what body shop you'll be using.
-They don't get to establish the value of your car without taking into account (accurate) information you provide.

His best advice, though, was this: turn the matter (And your research) over to YOUR insurance agent and have them handle it, with explicit instructions that you want to fix the car.

I'd only go the lawyer route if all of the above fails. It sure looks like your car is worth more than $5200 -- just like my car was worth more than $3500 18 years ago. And, your car will be worth a lot more than $5200 18 years from now so long as you fight for it.

You'll get through this -- and it WILL be worth your time.

pete

ya man thanks Pete, it is my only car so I do need a rental at this time.

[PanelBilly]

Years ago my kid got hit and they wrecked a Acura Legend that I had bought new and kept in fantastic shape. Intire car had been reapinted twice over the years and the running gear was in top shape. After a few months of fighting with them I presented a folder of cars I had looked at to buy and why I rejected them as inferior. I told them I was tired of looking and spent much time and effort in replacing the car with another like it. I told them it was their turn to find me a car! I got three times the original offer.

[rick 918-S]

We need to talk. Are you going to the WCR?

[charliew]

That estimate is not anything like a real repair bill from a porsche repair shop. There is noway 62.00 will cover paint and what frame repairs? Try about 500.00 to 1000.00 in paint costs.

[banger]

I would recommend bringing the car to Gary at Valencia Coachworks, he wrote a very reasonable estimate for the repair on my 914. He is also a former 914 owner, and can appreciate the 914, and the need to have the car repaired correctly. He works with most insurance companies, and is fair an honest. For my car he quoted all new Porsche parts, and even took pictures to prove to the insurance company that the car was in good shape, and should not be totaled. If you are interested, his number is 661-257-2268.

[oldschool]

I would recommend bringing the car to Gary at Valencia Coachworks, he wrote a very reasonable estimate for the repair on my 914. He is also a former 914 owner, and can appreciate the 914, and the need to have the car repaired correctly. He works with most insurance companies, and is fair an honest. For my car he quoted all new Porsche parts, and even took pictures to prove to the insurance company that the car was in good shape, and should not be totaled. If you are interested, his number is 661-257-2268.

thanks banger.

[oldschool]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with all of the above. Take them to court. They most likely will roll over just like every one said. Freaking insurance companies... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Almost as bad as those Tow Truck drivers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

the insurance call today. they want to total the car, they said they need to get the mileage
so that they can put a value on it.

my lawyers want to get the insurance to cut me a conflict of interest check?

[banger]

For my car I was surprised that Mercury insurance values a 914 at $9500-12500, so maybe you can find a better value to prove to them. The adjuster I spoke to said that infinity is a terrible insurance company to deal with as well...

[Katmanken]

I'm getting mixed signals here.

Do you want the car fixed or more money?

A conflict of interest check would up the payout to you, and would leave you with a totaled car.

Never ever accept a check from an insurance company until the deal is done to your satisfaction and in writing. If you do, they will say you have accepted their offer and it's over.

As you may have guessed, I've been through this before. And, I won.

[oldschool]

I'm getting mixed signals here.

Do you want the car fixed or more money?

A conflict of interest check would up the payout to you, and would leave you with a totaled car.

Never ever accept a check from an insurance company until the deal is done to your satisfaction and in writing. If you do, they will say you have accepted their offer and it's over.

As you may have guessed, I've been through this before. And, I won.

Am also getting advice from my lawyers and member on here and the other site,
what they all say is get a payoff,fix the car.

[jhadler]

Am also getting advice from my lawyers and member on here and the other site,
what they all say is get a payoff,fix the car.

This depends on what you want. Do you want some cash and your car sort-of fixed? Then take the total, buy the car back (with Salvage title), and get it fixed adequately. Leave some money in your pocket.

Or, you can be a PITA, and demand a proper repair (read: no bondo). You won't get a pocket full of cash, but you'll have your car, and no salvage title either. The second way will take a longer time.

Dunno. Not sure what -you- want from your posts. It's really up to you. Until you accept money, the ball is still in your court. Once you accept money, it's considered a done-deal, and you get what you get.

-Josh2

[oldschool]

Am also getting advice from my lawyers and member on here and the other site,
what they all say is get a payoff,fix the car.

This depends on what you want. Do you want some cash and your car sort-of fixed? Then take the total, buy the car back (with Salvage title), and get it fixed adequately. Leave some money in your pocket.

Or, you can be a PITA, and demand a proper repair (read: no bondo). You won't get a pocket full of cash, but you'll have your car, and no salvage title either. The second way will take a longer time.

Dunno. Not sure what -you- want from your posts. It's really up to you. Until you accept money, the ball is still in your court. Once you accept money, it's considered a done-deal, and you get what you get.

-Josh2

I

thanks josh for your help.

[Katmanken]

If you go the total route, it might leave you with a salvage title on the car, and that WILL affect the sale price. If you decide to sell it.

Make sure it's not totaled in your acceptance of their offer, or your car will be worth less.

[charliew]

Progressive screwed me on my harley. They paid me 4100 to fix a bike I could ride home. But said the value was 8k. I told them bs that I had 16k in it and it didn't have a scratch on it. I said what about the 3k extra they promised to cover the added on items and they said the added on items were not hurt. They got normal bike prices and used them to establish the value of my bike. At the time they couldn't even write a estimate on it. I had to take it to a harley shop to get the estimate written. They drug it out for 4 months and finally I just said ok pay me to fix it and they did but put a salvage title on it. It's not a big deal unless you get a buyer that wants to finance the vehicle. With a salvage title the bank knocks 30% off the loan value.