The Prodical 992 Returns .... finally
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 741
From: Smoky Mtns, Tennessee
The Prodical 992 Returns .... finally
Here is a quick summary of everything that has gone on since the accident on Sept 7th, most of it extremely aggravating but not all:
1. My 992 repairs were completed in only about 10 weeks which surprised me at how fast they got the parts and the car completed given the current supply chain issues. However I signed a personal guarantee for the costs since a) I wanted them to start the repairs ASAP (assuming it might take to the end of the year), and b) CorVel Corporation (TN D.O.T. rep) repeatedly kept their head up their a$$.
2. The insurance companies (CorVel and State Farm) involved in the repair process were a gigantic PITA!
3. CorVel insurance claimed that they had 90 days, not the usual 30, to accept or reject claim. I almost never heard anything from them, except for wanting a copy of my video which was already in the email chain they sent me asking for it. Read your *(*# email all the way through. On day 31, I filed a claim with my insurance (SF) and they ran with it, and within 15 minutes called me back saying that Corvel had accepted responsibility and would "handle things" going forward.
4. Well after hearing absolutely NOTHING (verbal, written or otherwise) for over a week+, I filed a formal complaint with the TN Insurance Commissioner which finally did get some movement, but it still took too long given that I had in-car video of the accident that no one disputed. State police backed me 100% as did repair shop.
5. Repairs started out just under $30K but finished in the $28+K range (SF's initial estimate was 48% of that total, pathetic) and all of the damage was just bolt on parts; no structural damage whatsoever. However, car was DONE by the time the insurance companies got involved. Fortunately, Chad (Harper Collision, certified Porsche tech) and I discussed this throughout and he had lots of photos, kept damaged parts, etc. and when we finally got an adjuster onsite it was someone who knew Chad’s reputation and had dealt with him extensively in the past so the repair costs were immediately approved. Chad was a HUGE help throughout the entire process!
6. Given all this aggravation I naturally assumed that collecting on diminished value would require a lawyer; it did NOT. Adjuster used a formula to calculate amount based on what Chad told me.
7. I had asked for 10% and I received a little more than 7.1% so just enough to make it an extremely risky move to try and get the rest; especially given retainer fees and hourly rates for lawyers. The checks for the repairs and my diminished value are supposed to arrive with 7-10 days (not holding breath, but at least the repair shop and I both have written and verbal confirmation).
8. The car drives, IMO, even better than it did before. Now I thought that may have resulted from me not driving it for 10 weeks but once I reduced the tire pressures from its ridiculous numbers, the car performed flawlessly. To test it, I took it to US129 otherwise known as the Tail of the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles). It drove so well I couldn’t believe it. I was carefully initially since I had two new front tires and got them scrubbed in properly on the way there. I also took it out for over an hour today and loved every minute of it although I lost Sept and October, the two best months to drive here in the mountains. Oh well, stuff happens, right?
9. The main reason(s) I think the 992 is better overall is a) the comfort access works much better now on approach, b) the Homelink system and GPS has been flawless, and c) CarPlay seems more reliable as well. Granted not big things, but since the rest of the car seems to drive as well as before, this at least feels like a small win overall.
10. Monday I will talk with my SA and see what I can expect as far as trade-in should I decide to go that route but right now, I am very happy with my 992.
1. My 992 repairs were completed in only about 10 weeks which surprised me at how fast they got the parts and the car completed given the current supply chain issues. However I signed a personal guarantee for the costs since a) I wanted them to start the repairs ASAP (assuming it might take to the end of the year), and b) CorVel Corporation (TN D.O.T. rep) repeatedly kept their head up their a$$.
2. The insurance companies (CorVel and State Farm) involved in the repair process were a gigantic PITA!
3. CorVel insurance claimed that they had 90 days, not the usual 30, to accept or reject claim. I almost never heard anything from them, except for wanting a copy of my video which was already in the email chain they sent me asking for it. Read your *(*# email all the way through. On day 31, I filed a claim with my insurance (SF) and they ran with it, and within 15 minutes called me back saying that Corvel had accepted responsibility and would "handle things" going forward.
4. Well after hearing absolutely NOTHING (verbal, written or otherwise) for over a week+, I filed a formal complaint with the TN Insurance Commissioner which finally did get some movement, but it still took too long given that I had in-car video of the accident that no one disputed. State police backed me 100% as did repair shop.
5. Repairs started out just under $30K but finished in the $28+K range (SF's initial estimate was 48% of that total, pathetic) and all of the damage was just bolt on parts; no structural damage whatsoever. However, car was DONE by the time the insurance companies got involved. Fortunately, Chad (Harper Collision, certified Porsche tech) and I discussed this throughout and he had lots of photos, kept damaged parts, etc. and when we finally got an adjuster onsite it was someone who knew Chad’s reputation and had dealt with him extensively in the past so the repair costs were immediately approved. Chad was a HUGE help throughout the entire process!
6. Given all this aggravation I naturally assumed that collecting on diminished value would require a lawyer; it did NOT. Adjuster used a formula to calculate amount based on what Chad told me.
7. I had asked for 10% and I received a little more than 7.1% so just enough to make it an extremely risky move to try and get the rest; especially given retainer fees and hourly rates for lawyers. The checks for the repairs and my diminished value are supposed to arrive with 7-10 days (not holding breath, but at least the repair shop and I both have written and verbal confirmation).
8. The car drives, IMO, even better than it did before. Now I thought that may have resulted from me not driving it for 10 weeks but once I reduced the tire pressures from its ridiculous numbers, the car performed flawlessly. To test it, I took it to US129 otherwise known as the Tail of the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles). It drove so well I couldn’t believe it. I was carefully initially since I had two new front tires and got them scrubbed in properly on the way there. I also took it out for over an hour today and loved every minute of it although I lost Sept and October, the two best months to drive here in the mountains. Oh well, stuff happens, right?
9. The main reason(s) I think the 992 is better overall is a) the comfort access works much better now on approach, b) the Homelink system and GPS has been flawless, and c) CarPlay seems more reliable as well. Granted not big things, but since the rest of the car seems to drive as well as before, this at least feels like a small win overall.
10. Monday I will talk with my SA and see what I can expect as far as trade-in should I decide to go that route but right now, I am very happy with my 992.
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 1,837
From: Chicago area
Is there something Porsche has done that has improved Apple CarPlay? I haven’t used it in my car for perhaps 6 months because it kinda sucked. Bear in mind I am being told nothing about any software updates
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 3,144
Likes: 2,538
Great to hear.
@Tupper I have had no issues with CarPlay, connects automatically and almost immediately when I get in and no source selection or changing needed. Just plays whatever playlist I had right away. Just as I would expect. And when I approach my garage Homelink comes right up on the screen though I do have a dash-diamond-shortcut programmed to it.
@Tupper I have had no issues with CarPlay, connects automatically and almost immediately when I get in and no source selection or changing needed. Just plays whatever playlist I had right away. Just as I would expect. And when I approach my garage Homelink comes right up on the screen though I do have a dash-diamond-shortcut programmed to it.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 136
Likes: 142
From: SF Bay Area
Here is a quick summary of everything that has gone on since the accident on Sept 7th, most of it extremely aggravating but not all:
1. My 992 repairs were completed in only about 10 weeks which surprised me at how fast they got the parts and the car completed given the current supply chain issues. However I signed a personal guarantee for the costs since a) I wanted them to start the repairs ASAP (assuming it might take to the end of the year), and b) CorVel Corporation (TN D.O.T. rep) repeatedly kept their head up their a$$.
2. The insurance companies (CorVel and State Farm) involved in the repair process were a gigantic PITA!
3. CorVel insurance claimed that they had 90 days, not the usual 30, to accept or reject claim. I almost never heard anything from them, except for wanting a copy of my video which was already in the email chain they sent me asking for it. Read your *(*# email all the way through. On day 31, I filed a claim with my insurance (SF) and they ran with it, and within 15 minutes called me back saying that Corvel had accepted responsibility and would "handle things" going forward.
4. Well after hearing absolutely NOTHING (verbal, written or otherwise) for over a week+, I filed a formal complaint with the TN Insurance Commissioner which finally did get some movement, but it still took too long given that I had in-car video of the accident that no one disputed. State police backed me 100% as did repair shop.
5. Repairs started out just under $30K but finished in the $28+K range (SF's initial estimate was 48% of that total, pathetic) and all of the damage was just bolt on parts; no structural damage whatsoever. However, car was DONE by the time the insurance companies got involved. Fortunately, Chad (Harper Collision, certified Porsche tech) and I discussed this throughout and he had lots of photos, kept damaged parts, etc. and when we finally got an adjuster onsite it was someone who knew Chad’s reputation and had dealt with him extensively in the past so the repair costs were immediately approved. Chad was a HUGE help throughout the entire process!
6. Given all this aggravation I naturally assumed that collecting on diminished value would require a lawyer; it did NOT. Adjuster used a formula to calculate amount based on what Chad told me.
7. I had asked for 10% and I received a little more than 7.1% so just enough to make it an extremely risky move to try and get the rest; especially given retainer fees and hourly rates for lawyers. The checks for the repairs and my diminished value are supposed to arrive with 7-10 days (not holding breath, but at least the repair shop and I both have written and verbal confirmation).
8. The car drives, IMO, even better than it did before. Now I thought that may have resulted from me not driving it for 10 weeks but once I reduced the tire pressures from its ridiculous numbers, the car performed flawlessly. To test it, I took it to US129 otherwise known as the Tail of the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles). It drove so well I couldn’t believe it. I was carefully initially since I had two new front tires and got them scrubbed in properly on the way there. I also took it out for over an hour today and loved every minute of it although I lost Sept and October, the two best months to drive here in the mountains. Oh well, stuff happens, right?
9. The main reason(s) I think the 992 is better overall is a) the comfort access works much better now on approach, b) the Homelink system and GPS has been flawless, and c) CarPlay seems more reliable as well. Granted not big things, but since the rest of the car seems to drive as well as before, this at least feels like a small win overall.
10. Monday I will talk with my SA and see what I can expect as far as trade-in should I decide to go that route but right now, I am very happy with my 992.
1. My 992 repairs were completed in only about 10 weeks which surprised me at how fast they got the parts and the car completed given the current supply chain issues. However I signed a personal guarantee for the costs since a) I wanted them to start the repairs ASAP (assuming it might take to the end of the year), and b) CorVel Corporation (TN D.O.T. rep) repeatedly kept their head up their a$$.
2. The insurance companies (CorVel and State Farm) involved in the repair process were a gigantic PITA!
3. CorVel insurance claimed that they had 90 days, not the usual 30, to accept or reject claim. I almost never heard anything from them, except for wanting a copy of my video which was already in the email chain they sent me asking for it. Read your *(*# email all the way through. On day 31, I filed a claim with my insurance (SF) and they ran with it, and within 15 minutes called me back saying that Corvel had accepted responsibility and would "handle things" going forward.
4. Well after hearing absolutely NOTHING (verbal, written or otherwise) for over a week+, I filed a formal complaint with the TN Insurance Commissioner which finally did get some movement, but it still took too long given that I had in-car video of the accident that no one disputed. State police backed me 100% as did repair shop.
5. Repairs started out just under $30K but finished in the $28+K range (SF's initial estimate was 48% of that total, pathetic) and all of the damage was just bolt on parts; no structural damage whatsoever. However, car was DONE by the time the insurance companies got involved. Fortunately, Chad (Harper Collision, certified Porsche tech) and I discussed this throughout and he had lots of photos, kept damaged parts, etc. and when we finally got an adjuster onsite it was someone who knew Chad’s reputation and had dealt with him extensively in the past so the repair costs were immediately approved. Chad was a HUGE help throughout the entire process!
6. Given all this aggravation I naturally assumed that collecting on diminished value would require a lawyer; it did NOT. Adjuster used a formula to calculate amount based on what Chad told me.
7. I had asked for 10% and I received a little more than 7.1% so just enough to make it an extremely risky move to try and get the rest; especially given retainer fees and hourly rates for lawyers. The checks for the repairs and my diminished value are supposed to arrive with 7-10 days (not holding breath, but at least the repair shop and I both have written and verbal confirmation).
8. The car drives, IMO, even better than it did before. Now I thought that may have resulted from me not driving it for 10 weeks but once I reduced the tire pressures from its ridiculous numbers, the car performed flawlessly. To test it, I took it to US129 otherwise known as the Tail of the Dragon (318 curves in 11 miles). It drove so well I couldn’t believe it. I was carefully initially since I had two new front tires and got them scrubbed in properly on the way there. I also took it out for over an hour today and loved every minute of it although I lost Sept and October, the two best months to drive here in the mountains. Oh well, stuff happens, right?
9. The main reason(s) I think the 992 is better overall is a) the comfort access works much better now on approach, b) the Homelink system and GPS has been flawless, and c) CarPlay seems more reliable as well. Granted not big things, but since the rest of the car seems to drive as well as before, this at least feels like a small win overall.
10. Monday I will talk with my SA and see what I can expect as far as trade-in should I decide to go that route but right now, I am very happy with my 992.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 741
From: Smoky Mtns, Tennessee
Tupper, not that anyone told me but while it worked pretty well in the past, it is even better now. Not sure why, but I'm happy about it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 741
From: Smoky Mtns, Tennessee
Thanks, it did BUT it took an inordinate amount of project management that wasn't necessary in my opinion. But having Chad in my corner made ALL the difference, both initially and in the end. Since Wednesday was beautiful here (73 and sunny), Chad managed to talk his manager (management?) into letting having the car WITHOUT the repair check .... yet. However, as I mentioned above, they know it is coming and the check is in both of our names. I have nothing but GREAT things to save about Harper Collision in Knoxville. 
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 741
From: Smoky Mtns, Tennessee
Original Post re: Damage
Racer
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 409
Likes: 199
From: Bay Area
Thanks for updating us on this. I was wondering what every came of your situation and most importantly whether they gave you cash for diminished value. So all in did the insurance pay $29k for the repairs and then gave you another $10 - $11k for diminished value?
Can you also post some pics of the car while it was being repaired?
Can you also post some pics of the car while it was being repaired?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 741
From: Smoky Mtns, Tennessee
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 741
From: Smoky Mtns, Tennessee
Installation of the PDLS+, $3,700 USD, headlight. Since right front tire was damaged, they purchased a new pair for the front. Worked well with my new rear tires I had just bought.
Installed new front bumper, grills, etc.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 904
Likes: 741
From: Smoky Mtns, Tennessee
Bottom line - I am thoroughly pleased with the repairs performed by Harper Collision (Knoxville, TN) and the proactive care that Chad took with my vehicle. He kept me in the loop, and sent progress pictures WITHOUT being asked (which is the way it should be). The car handles perfectly so I'm thrilled, and I can't find any flaws at all.
This hasn't also been the case for me. A Tacoma truck I owned several years back, after being "repaired" three (3) separate times over the course of months (insurance company was getting upset over how long I had a Mustang rental), I finally traded it in as my wife and I were never completely satisfied and bought a new one. So I'm obviously thrilled to have my "old 992" back and performing like it did; now I'm in no hurry to trade it in.
This hasn't also been the case for me. A Tacoma truck I owned several years back, after being "repaired" three (3) separate times over the course of months (insurance company was getting upset over how long I had a Mustang rental), I finally traded it in as my wife and I were never completely satisfied and bought a new one. So I'm obviously thrilled to have my "old 992" back and performing like it did; now I'm in no hurry to trade it in.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 1,760
From: Westchester NY
I am a big fan of keeping a wheel under the car in just case the jack let's go - just not my wheel!
In all seriousness, it looks like you were very lucky to find such a professional shop that knows how to fix a car correctly AND how to treat a customer correctly. Seems like a thinning herd these days.
