Around thanks giving I was involved in a rear end fender bender. A ford explorer was tail gating me and as I was breaking for the red light ahead she was not and hit me at about 20mph or so. The damage was extremely minor however the parts are extremely expensive so that upped the estimate price. The body guy said it needed new bumper cover (small tear below tail light), two new bumper shocks, two plastic bumper guards (black things on side of plate), paint, and prep work. The total estimate came to about $4000 only because the part prices are outrages from Porsche. Well I turned it in and my insurance agency had a guy come out and look at the car and got there own estimate of $1600 or so. However there estimate only included a used rear bumper cover as they felt the bumper shocks were still good? I was a little suprised as I thought bumper shocks were a one time use thing just like a motorcycle helmet?? I quite suprised they are not willing to please me a little and just replace them since they are going to go after the other persons insurance anyways... Definitely dissapointed in how they are handling this!!!

 

I suppose they could remove the shocks once the bumper cover is off, measure them and compare to one that was never hit.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

 

One use, there to resist compression, not able to resist compression after use.

Can't see how a car can suffer a hit like this and not compress the shocks.

Also, check taillight fixtures (possible hidden damage to the mounting tabs behind the bumper cover) and license plate lights.

As an enthusiast, with the internet, you can probably score the parts here less expensively than the body shop can.

Not sure how to deal with the insurance company though.

 

You should be able to get all the parts for about $500 if you go to e-bay.

 

I am parting out a 1984 928s if you need parts.

 

you wont know about the bumper shocks till you remove the rear cover but they are probably toast new used ones are about 50.00 a piece from 928Intl they might also have already in your color rear bumper

 

Shocks are absolutely one use only - not meant to be repeatedly compressed. Per the manual, they are to be replaced after an impact. Don't let the insurance adjuster pull this over on you.

 

Ask the insurance guy what they'd say if the next time you received a bill from them you told them that your last payment was still good, and that it wasn't just a one time use payment.

 

Believe me guys this has been a total mess!! We are really dissapointed in how all this was handled. I'm the one that got rear ended and my insurance advisor is telling me that im on my own if I want to go after the person who hit me for the deductible!!

I was going to do it myself for the original quote of about 4k (3500 after ded) but now that is only $1600 (1100 after ded) its not worth my time. I tried explaining to her that these are only a one time use only type of thing but she was being totally unreasonable. My example was like a air bag but she didn't get it same with the bumper cover... I told her I don't want a reconditioned one as those have already been in a accident and have been fixed at least get a me a good used one that hasn't been wrecked. I called the body shop and they said that my insurance is only going to cover $1600 so will see... interesting.. I'm going to stop by there tomorrow and tell them to the push the issue that these need to be replaced, if not i will do it out of my own pocket because this is nuts..

Yes we are already looking for another insurance agent. I have never had these issues before.. NEVER!

 

A good agent can save a lot of trouble. Good luck.

 

Dan, sounds like you should change insurance companies. Your company should be the one chasing the other parties insurance to get your deductible back for you. My company handled it for me whenever the other person was at fault.

I got rear ended last year by one of the wide load escort trucking companies. They were self insured, initial estimate with new parts was over $5K, new rear bumper cover, new shocks, new bumperettes, etc. Their adjuster came over and saw the car was in perfect condition other than the tap in the rear and said I deserved the new parts. Low and behold, along comes the settlement, used parts for everything. Sent me a check for $2300. My bumper cover wasn't torn either. Found used shocks on eBay, bumperettes too as mine were nicked up from the hit. I was able to get the bumper cover back to original shape with a little heat, didn't even need to repaint.

I would demand new or used shocks, if your bumper cover is torn, the shocks have to be shot. Good luck

 

They are trying to sucker you into going away and just accepting the pennies they are giving you. The exact same thing happened to me when someone broadsided us years ago and it was absolutely no fault of mine. I filed a suit in small-claims court (it only cost like $15). A couple of weeks later I got a call from the same insurance adjuster and she had a completely different tune, and ended up giving me what I had asked for at the beginning as long as I dropped the suit.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

 

Have it fixed as you need it fixed, and send the bill to the person who hit. you. Not to their insurance company. Let the perp argue with her insurance about whether they will cover the costs. Dealing with her insurance company is a convenience for her. If her carrier makes it inconvenient for you, go directly to the cause of the problem - the person who hit you and is responsible for making you whole again. Get a rental car now and let them know that they are paying for that too while they argue. If there's any noise from them at all, hire an attorney and send the bill for that to your own insurance company, who is supposed to be watching out for and defending your interests. No deductible applies. Your uninsured motorist coverage fills the time gap between you paying and the perp paying. If your agent squawks, read your policy carefully and alert your company that they can just as easily be added to the claim with your attorney. Don't let them bully you.

 

The saddest part is my wife works for this company and they are treating us like this.. I'm not going to make a big deal about it and just move on. Obviously they don't want us as a customer so we will go somewhere else.

 

Why are you working with YOUR insurance company?

You should file the claim against HER company and then let the body shop tell them. That's how it works in New York. Rear-end is 100% fault.

Michael