Not a good day -- need advice
03-20-2003, 12:30 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Not a good day -- need advice
Hey all!
Well it wasn't a great day today. Coming home tonight I got rear-ended and was driven into the car in front of me. Luckily, no one was hurt, but my baby is a mess. Car is drivable and I am sure fixable, but is beat up pretty good. The hit was square, so I am hoping for no frame damage and except for the front/rear end caps and trunk lid I think most of the body panels are ok.
Anyway, I have never (in my 20 driving years) had to get a car fixed like this, so what should I expect and/or demand from the insurance companies? My carrier is State Farm, don't know the at-fault parties information yet.
Do I demand to use the local dealer? Anybody had Jim Ellis Porsche do body/paint work? Should I find a local specialist?
Man this sucks, I am going to sleep...
Well it wasn't a great day today. Coming home tonight I got rear-ended and was driven into the car in front of me. Luckily, no one was hurt, but my baby is a mess. Car is drivable and I am sure fixable, but is beat up pretty good. The hit was square, so I am hoping for no frame damage and except for the front/rear end caps and trunk lid I think most of the body panels are ok.
Anyway, I have never (in my 20 driving years) had to get a car fixed like this, so what should I expect and/or demand from the insurance companies? My carrier is State Farm, don't know the at-fault parties information yet.
Do I demand to use the local dealer? Anybody had Jim Ellis Porsche do body/paint work? Should I find a local specialist?
Man this sucks, I am going to sleep...
03-20-2003, 01:07 AM
#3
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Hi Chris,
I'm very-very sorry this happened. This is one
horrible nightmare. I can only imagine your pain.
I would be very aggressive with your case as you
were rear ended, which clears you of fault.
The insurance company of the guilty driver will
use their standard: "Delay you until you get
frustrated and drop the case" strategy.
Or use their standard: "Your Porsche is worth $5K"
In either case, stay on top of them daily and
never accept their first low-ball offer.
I hope this matter is resolved quickly...
Best of luck!
I'm very-very sorry this happened. This is one
horrible nightmare. I can only imagine your pain.
I would be very aggressive with your case as you
were rear ended, which clears you of fault.
The insurance company of the guilty driver will
use their standard: "Delay you until you get
frustrated and drop the case" strategy.
Or use their standard: "Your Porsche is worth $5K"
In either case, stay on top of them daily and
never accept their first low-ball offer.
I hope this matter is resolved quickly...
Best of luck!
03-20-2003, 01:42 AM
#5
Nordschleife Master
Chris,
In most cases, you are entitled to the very best in parts and repair services. You do not need to take any shortcuts. Find the most reputable body shop in Atlanta, and use them. Listen to their advice on how to get the best possible repair. Since this incident will forever be on your vehicle's Carfax report, you will suffer some loss in value, even if the repair is flawless. Your insurance company should be going to bat for you on this. They won't, but they should.
I take it that the airbags didn't deploy. Often that makes the difference on whether the car should be totaled.
What a bummer.
In most cases, you are entitled to the very best in parts and repair services. You do not need to take any shortcuts. Find the most reputable body shop in Atlanta, and use them. Listen to their advice on how to get the best possible repair. Since this incident will forever be on your vehicle's Carfax report, you will suffer some loss in value, even if the repair is flawless. Your insurance company should be going to bat for you on this. They won't, but they should.
I take it that the airbags didn't deploy. Often that makes the difference on whether the car should be totaled.
What a bummer.
03-20-2003, 02:42 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Chris,
I feel your pain man...my car was at the shop for some suspension mods, and they managed to muck up the driver's side door badly enough that it needs to be replaced. I haven't been to see the car yet for fear I might puke.
Thankfully I don't have to deal with the insurance guys on this one...
I too use State Farm, and if your premiums are anywhere near mine I would insist on nothing but the best body work. Get an estimate from Jim Ellis, then find out who does the "overflow" body work for Jim Ellis and get an estimate from there as well.
When the work is done inspect it with an electron microscope, I know I will.
Misery loves company, I'll hoist a beer to salute our cars.
I feel your pain man...my car was at the shop for some suspension mods, and they managed to muck up the driver's side door badly enough that it needs to be replaced. I haven't been to see the car yet for fear I might puke.
Thankfully I don't have to deal with the insurance guys on this one...
I too use State Farm, and if your premiums are anywhere near mine I would insist on nothing but the best body work. Get an estimate from Jim Ellis, then find out who does the "overflow" body work for Jim Ellis and get an estimate from there as well.
When the work is done inspect it with an electron microscope, I know I will.
Misery loves company, I'll hoist a beer to salute our cars.
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03-20-2003, 08:53 AM
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks guys, I will most certainly be pushing SF (my company) to do the right thing and recover from the guilty party's company on the back end so that I am fixed and back on the road quickly and more importantly correctly.
I will post some pics later so that I can get more advice (read - sympathy). Luckily it doesn't appear that anything intruded into the engine compartment in any way and the engine never quit or made noise. Also, the clutch was in, so there shouldn't be any drive train damage.
I was thinking of putting a new nose cap on it anyway to match the aerokit side skirts and rear wing, now someone else can pay for it
Also glad I hadn't put my Catz HIDs in yet since the headlamps are completely smashed. Of course depending on what they cost, maybe I can just get Litronics for a small fee instead <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />
I will post some pics later so that I can get more advice (read - sympathy). Luckily it doesn't appear that anything intruded into the engine compartment in any way and the engine never quit or made noise. Also, the clutch was in, so there shouldn't be any drive train damage.
I was thinking of putting a new nose cap on it anyway to match the aerokit side skirts and rear wing, now someone else can pay for it
Also glad I hadn't put my Catz HIDs in yet since the headlamps are completely smashed. Of course depending on what they cost, maybe I can just get Litronics for a small fee instead <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />
03-20-2003, 09:00 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
Very sorry to hear this Chris.
You shouldn't have a problem recouping dv these days...after the main perp State Farm lost a suit for $100 million or so a few years back. They will delay forever though. You will likely have your company pay for the repairs and subrogate the claim while the daisy chain fights about liability in court for 2 years. Most companies will only use Porsche parts and respect your choice of shop.
I would not use JE for this...they use a shop in Woodstock called Collision Pro (7) 595-0611 Robin and Hank like him (check the archives). I did use Sports and Imports to fix a 97 and they did excellent work but delayed and held the car for 9 months!! They only do Mercedes these days but Gene over there can give you a referral I'm sure.
Sorry again. Unfortunately, if you drive your P-car every day in Atlanta traffic (lamest drivers in the US) it is a matter of when, not if, you'll see a body shop. (ask me how I know) Good luck.
You shouldn't have a problem recouping dv these days...after the main perp State Farm lost a suit for $100 million or so a few years back. They will delay forever though. You will likely have your company pay for the repairs and subrogate the claim while the daisy chain fights about liability in court for 2 years. Most companies will only use Porsche parts and respect your choice of shop.
I would not use JE for this...they use a shop in Woodstock called Collision Pro (7) 595-0611 Robin and Hank like him (check the archives). I did use Sports and Imports to fix a 97 and they did excellent work but delayed and held the car for 9 months!! They only do Mercedes these days but Gene over there can give you a referral I'm sure.
Sorry again. Unfortunately, if you drive your P-car every day in Atlanta traffic (lamest drivers in the US) it is a matter of when, not if, you'll see a body shop. (ask me how I know) Good luck.
03-20-2003, 11:34 AM
#11
Racer
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Chris,
Sorry to hear about the car, I know of a guy in Atlanta GA he is suppose to be the best in body work down there. He works on most of the F-Cars down there and the dealers use him as well, I know of several people sending them their cars to be worked on from other parts of the country. He is also a member of the local F-Car club. I almost bought a car he previously owned and from what I heard the car was in mint condition and won several award at the F-Car show, after he worked on the front-end. I think his name is Bo Pirkle and the name of the shop is Pirkle Autobody (770) 939-6982. Hopes this helps
Sorry to hear about the car, I know of a guy in Atlanta GA he is suppose to be the best in body work down there. He works on most of the F-Cars down there and the dealers use him as well, I know of several people sending them their cars to be worked on from other parts of the country. He is also a member of the local F-Car club. I almost bought a car he previously owned and from what I heard the car was in mint condition and won several award at the F-Car show, after he worked on the front-end. I think his name is Bo Pirkle and the name of the shop is Pirkle Autobody (770) 939-6982. Hopes this helps
03-20-2003, 12:18 PM
#12
Addict
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I know first hand what a sick feeling this is for you. My 1966 911, that I bought in 1967, was 22 hours old when a drunk in a stolen car rearended me throwing my car into the station wagon in front of me. My 22 hour old 911 was an acordian. The drunk guy didn't even know what had happened until he woke up in jail the next day. I helped him sleep by punching him once in the face and breaking two fingers doing it. Naturally he had no insurance and my company, State Farm, didn't want to total it. It was "fixed" at the local Porsche dealer after two months of work, but it never really felt the same.
Hang in there and GOOD LUCK,
Robert
97 C2S
65 356 euro C
Hang in there and GOOD LUCK,
Robert
97 C2S
65 356 euro C
03-20-2003, 12:54 PM
#13
Hi Chris,
Sorry for the mishap. $hit happens, doesn’t it!? First thing, call your insurance company and theirs. Get a claim number. Then, find a body shop you trust. A good source would be the local chapter of the PCA. I’m sure you can find good references there. Take your car to that shop. That really should be the end of your involvement. That shop will deal with the insurance company. You shouldn’t have to (at least, that’s the way it works in CA). If you get a good reference to a good shop, they won’t let the insurance company jerk them around, use sub-standard parts, cut corners, etc. While you can just wait at this point, I’m sure you’ll want to keep in touch with the shop, perhaps even drop by to check on the status of the repairs and make sure everything is going OK.
My wife got rear-ended a few months ago. I got the insurance info from the driver. The next day I called his insurance company and got a claim number. I also called a known good shop to make an appointment. We took her car to the shop, gave them the claim number, and that was the end of it. Their insurance also covered a rental for my wife (a Dodge Neon, but at least it got her to work and back). About a week later, we returned the rental and picked up my wife’s car. No fuss no muss.
Tom
’95 993
Sorry for the mishap. $hit happens, doesn’t it!? First thing, call your insurance company and theirs. Get a claim number. Then, find a body shop you trust. A good source would be the local chapter of the PCA. I’m sure you can find good references there. Take your car to that shop. That really should be the end of your involvement. That shop will deal with the insurance company. You shouldn’t have to (at least, that’s the way it works in CA). If you get a good reference to a good shop, they won’t let the insurance company jerk them around, use sub-standard parts, cut corners, etc. While you can just wait at this point, I’m sure you’ll want to keep in touch with the shop, perhaps even drop by to check on the status of the repairs and make sure everything is going OK.
My wife got rear-ended a few months ago. I got the insurance info from the driver. The next day I called his insurance company and got a claim number. I also called a known good shop to make an appointment. We took her car to the shop, gave them the claim number, and that was the end of it. Their insurance also covered a rental for my wife (a Dodge Neon, but at least it got her to work and back). About a week later, we returned the rental and picked up my wife’s car. No fuss no muss.
Tom
’95 993
03-20-2003, 03:15 PM
#14
Racer
Thread Starter
So here are a couple of pic's to "explain" the damage. I am still bummed, but looking at it the next day it doesn't seem as bad. Of course her insurance company really isn't going to like the final bill, but that isn't my problem...
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/front-ouch.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/back-ouch.jpg" alt=" - " />
And the new wheels/tires and PSS-9's sure make it look pretty if you can ignore the above...
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/side-ouch.jpg" alt=" - " />
I'll keep you guys updated on my progress.
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/front-ouch.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/back-ouch.jpg" alt=" - " />
And the new wheels/tires and PSS-9's sure make it look pretty if you can ignore the above...
<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/side-ouch.jpg" alt=" - " />
I'll keep you guys updated on my progress.
03-20-2003, 03:22 PM
#15
Nordschleife Master
What a nice looking car. I can understand your upset feelings. You'll need two fenders, litronics, Euro fornt and rear bumpers and euro lights, and of course a new hood. You will end up with an even nicer package, and if they play ball with you (on the litronics and euro stuff), you can let them slide on the diminished value (which will be VERY hard to collect anyway).
Good luck
Good luck