Bumper cover experts, Help!

[Rex Ruby]

Tommy get at least one estimate from a higher end body shop before you meet with their adjuster.

[tomtom72]

Originally Posted by Rex Ruby

Tommy get at least one estimate from a higher end body shop before you meet with their adjuster.

Oh, Good one. I had not even thought of that....well I was figuring to let them have the second at bat as my company's adjustor just sent me his estimate by e-mail. $1900.00 to repair mine, no replacement.

Thank you John for your advice. I have not yet made any appointments with GEICO's adjustor/drive up claim station. I do believe I may call GEICO and see if I can stall them till next week so I can implement your advice!


Tom

[xlr8nflorida]

Just thinking out loud here... if I was in your situation....

Make sure you get the amount of $$ from their insurance company you feel comfortable with.

I might be inclined just to spray to prep and spray that spot and install lights.

Black is a tough color and a freshly painted bumper will stand out against the rest of the car unless its a garage queen. I feel that if you just repair that small spot, nobody will know except you and if done right you probably won't be able to tell as its just on the lip.

That being said, you need to get a good amount of $ in case you want the "full monte" paint job later.

Also, make sure you go to an approved shop. For example State Farm has shops that the work is guaranteed for as long as you own the car. So for those who nix the small repair etc because it won't hold up, you are guaranteed it will if you go to one of these shops. Also its a rear bumper, which is alot different then a front bumper which gets way more road rash.

I'd try to definitely get a few grand out of it but bottom line, I don't see why that can't be fixed for $1,000 and that would be if you were spraying out the bumper.

Once you get your settlement, visit a few reputable body shops (ones you did not visit first time around) Walk in the door and tell them you did the damage, (no insurance involved - you are paying cash) How much to fix? you will find that many times the price is cut in half.

How far are you from Long Island?

[jrd1990zr1]

Tom,

Had a similar situation a few years ago. Hope you called and got a police report, it makes things easier. In NYS a rear end hit like this is paid by the car that hit you, NO COMPARIBLE NEGLIGENCE. The damage appears repairable. I know someone in Albany who can do it if you are interested.

Also keep in mind you have a classic car there and you can claim diminished value and/or loss of use during the repair. Give me a call and we can talk about it more.

John

[xlr8nflorida]

I think diminished value is going be a tough case. Even when states allow it like NC, its usually for a substantial accident damage.

In New York, insurance companies do not have to compensate the insured for the loss of value resulting from the accident.

It's worth a try.

If the estimate is not what you like, and they are jerking you around I've heard of some people saying their neck and back hurts and maybe they should seek medical attention. Then they stop jerking you around. When you deal with the better insurance companies, they pay to fix the car right. Other companies want to fix your car as cheaply as possible. You might get your way in the end, but you will feel like you went 5 rounds with Mike Tyson and he bit part your ear off.

That is another good reason for you to have good insurance. If you have good insurance, they will duke it out for you.

[tomtom72]

John & Jim, thanks guys.

I have to say that GEICO after clearing up the paper work snafu has been easy to deal with before the "their adjustor sees the car" phase. However, they did point out that they would stand behind the repair for my life time with this car so that is food for thought for me. I have yet to allow them to make an appointment with their adjustor. I'm looking to see a neutral body shop that has experience with plastic welding and corvettes so I can have an additional estimate to my company's adjustors estimate before I let GEICO have their at bat.

I also am some what cheered by seeing that Jim you are giving me a nood to doing the air brush thing & keeping the new paint off of the cover's broad spaces. It's also what the detail place told me where I'm a regular customer. It's owned by a retired body guy and he said the same thing...do the plastic weld & air brush just the recess. He said that's how he would fix my car to disturb as little of the factory paint as possible is the best approach in my car's case.

I wish things were not so busy at work because I have little time to sneak in phone work toward getting another body shop estimate. Darn it!

John we will talk, would it be okay if I call you early this evening?

Thanks guys for your help!

Tom

[jrd1990zr1]

Originally Posted by xlr8nflorida

I think diminished value is going be a tough case. Even when states allow it like NC, its usually for a substantial accident damage.

In New York, insurance companies do not have to compensate the insured for the loss of value resulting from the accident.

It's worth a try.

If the estimate is not what you like, and they are jerking you around I've heard of some people saying their neck and back hurts and maybe they should seek medical attention. Then they stop jerking you around. When you deal with the better insurance companies, they pay to fix the car right. Other companies want to fix your car as cheaply as possible. You might get your way in the end, but you will feel like you went 5 rounds with Mike Tyson and he bit part your ear off.

That is another good reason for you to have good insurance. If you have good insurance, they will duke it out for you.

I have to disagree when you are talking about a limited edition classic vehicle. I sent you a PM with some thoughts.

I am not saying it would be a cake walk, but I think Tom can claim loss of value (diminished value) if the bumper is repaired. I think we need to make sure the "hitters" insurance realizes this is not a 1990 neon. Also I would tell my insurance company they are under no circumstances are they to pay any of the claim.

Tom, I'll have my cell on between 5 and 6 tonight give me a call. We should talk before you let their adjuster see the car. Also is there any fiberglass damage where the rub strip pulled through? This may force a bigger repair that just the bumper fascia.

John

[LGAFF]

Ok, 15 years managing claims in 32 states, misinformation and paranoia runs wild.....going to bite my tongue

[xlr8nflorida]

I think the damage can all be fixed for $1,000 easily.

I would have it fixed for about $500-$750.

Technically speaking, Tom is entitled to the bigger estimate of $3-4k which includes new bumper.

You could argue DV as well. It just depends on how fair everybody is with one another and whether or not you want to hammer the insurance company.

I'd be happy with $3,000-$3,500 check that is for repair, DV and for taking repair vs. new bumper.

I still think you can get it all fixed if you shop around for $750. I don't think a new bumper, major paint work is the answer - less is more.

You would have plenty of $ left over for a new bumper should you desire one down the road. Hammering insurance company for $7k, ($3,000 DV) I think is unfair. More then likely they won't pay it, you will need to argue it and it just gets frustrating and you will come to some type of settlement.

If you are dealing with a good insurance company like State Farm, you may get your big $$ check without an issue. Dealing with a Progressive etc - good luck with that... nightmare.

Get all the $$ you can and still sleep well at night

[LGAFF]

OK time for a dose of truth....

Tom does not matter if you get a higher estimate, you are entitled to a reasonable industry repair. Meaning you are entitled to be paid for the average labor rate in your area, for reasonable repair(shop with average skills and tools). Bumpers can be plastic welded and reconditioned. DV is almost impossible to get because ultimately if your shop screws up the car, its their issue not the companies.

DV has evolved some but it was originally an alternative to the payment for repair, not in addition to... GA is the only state which recognizes first party DV, and in your case this is third partyloss, so proving a DV is very difficult....as stated your shop is paid for a proper repair if its not proper thats between you and the shop, not you and the ins company.

Thats reality...profiting from ins is stupid and the fact is in states were insureds and claimants can abuse insurance settlements, everyone pays out the *** for permiums. The other reality, no one is paid more for paying less on claims, and if you do... you won't be in business long, because you would lose your *** in a class action suit at some point.

Ins companies also don't make alot of money off your premiums, the profit margin is maybe 3-7%, and the rest is made off of investments in low risk things like municiple bonds. So to make money you need reasonable risk and a lot of insureds....so service and keeping people happy is a priority, even when its the other party because its a potential insured.

People having accidents sucks, getting your car damaged is worse, but some of the paranoia is unfounded. I think I have a pretty good rep here in being honest and fair, and thats why I have been a claims manager since I was 26 years old. Lets not fill peoples heads with craziness

Black is also known as the easiest color to match, in back with the exception of newer metallics black is the one color than generally requires no blending into additional panels.....

Pick a decent shop and I am sure the adjuster will work with them, if you have issues ask for a manager.