Not a happy camper

[Eagle]

Three weeks ago (Friday, November 25, to be specific) I was rear ended at a traffic light in the 2000 XJ Classic. Low speed -- the woman behind me started rolling when the left turn lane started going. Problem was, it's a delayed green for straight, so I wasn't rolling. Oops. No serious damage -- her air bag didn't even go off.

 

I had to wait a week to get the police report, but during that time I got a repair estimate from the body shop that's the preferred, approved, "we don't question their prices" shop for my insurance company. Seemed reasonable -- R&R the rear bumper, buff out, repaint, re-install. $351. Nowhere near a total for a 2000 XJ Classic in excellent condition with relatively low miles.

 

The other driver was insured by State Farm. It took until today to get their adjuster to look at it. He looked at my shop's estimate, sniffed, and went off to do his thing. He came back with an estimate of $280. I just back back from showing that to the shop. The estimator at the shop had the same reaction I did: "This guy must be on crack." He's got time and materials in for painting the bumper, but he doesn't seem to have any time for taking it off or putting it back on. The shop included corrosion protection -- because (1) the bumper is steel, and (2) I had the vehicle fully rustproofed when it was new, so that should be renewed when the bumper is worked on. The State Farm estimator doesn't agree. He thinks corrosion protection is only for fenders.

 

Not a great kick-off to the Christmas season  ...

[HOrnbrod]

Nickle and dime bastids.....................

[johnj92131]

If the $351 estimate is satisfactory to you - just have the work done and give the driver who hit you the bill with a demand letter for payment.  Then file a small claims suit against the driver.  Don't deal with State Farm.  You will win plus court filing fees.  Let the other guy deal with his insurance company.  Quite sure he can waste more than $71 worth of their time.

[Dzimm]

I was in the process of typing about them nickel and diming when I accidentally hit the back button on my mouse.. Then here comes Hornbrod beating me to it. Ha. Sorry to hear of the troubles. Wish insurance companies would cover what it is and not what it was from the factory when it comes to upgrades to vehicles like this.

[desbennett004]

I had someone hit and run the drivers side wheel on my wife's van, insurance company was going to write it off because the upper control arm mounts were a little bent. I straightened them up with a big Cresent wrench, changed out a tie rod, and the thing was good as new. The shop said they were not allowed to do that, they had to do an entire frame swap, which would cost $20,000+.

 

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[Keyav8r]

I like johnj's idea. Let the woman who hit you deal with her insurance company. You shouldn't have to waste your time and effort on it.

Hmm, isn't your neck feeling a little tweaked? Sometimes the symptoms of an injury are delayed. And, all this stress must be causing anxiety and sleep problems. Sounds like a medical claim to me.

[glundblad]

It has been my experience that when you are hit by another driver, that body shop you hired no longer works for you.  The work he performs and the quality of the end result are in the hands of the other person's insurance.  Very frustrating.  Look at it this way.  At least you didn't get hit by someone with "Progressive Insurance".   You have not lived until that happens.

[johnj92131]

Eagle, I am going to guess that the $351 is below your insurance deductible, so you will have to deal with the lady who hit you by your self.  But I will caution you not to sign a medical release very quickly.  Here is why:  The company I was working for had about 8 of us working at a power plant in Wyoming several years ago. I was on day shift working 7 to 5.  Another fellow was working night shift from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.  The guy rolled his car at 3:30 a.m. avoiding a deer.  He got back to the hotel just as I was at breakfast and told me what happened.  Alan thought he was fine till about 3 weeks after the accident.. Net result he was off work for more than 7 months with 2 different operations.  Do see a doctor - simply to be on the safe side even if you feel great. Your car insurance medical should pick up the bill and your carrier will subrogate against State Farm - who will pay all your medical expenses.

[Eagle]

I had someone hit and run the drivers side wheel on my wife's van, insurance company was going to write it off because the upper control arm mounts were a little bent. I straightened them up with a big Cresent wrench, changed out a tie rod, and the thing was good as new. The shop said they were not allowed to do that, they had to do an entire frame swap, which would cost $20,000+.

 

 

If shops are not allowed to straighten frames, why do they have frame jigs and why do factory service manuals have pages full of chassis dimensions?

[Eagle]

Eagle, I am going to guess that the $351 is below your insurance deductible, so you will have to deal with the lady who hit you by your self.  But I will caution you not to sign a medical release very quickly.  Here is why:  The company I was working for had about 8 of us working at a power plant in Wyoming several years ago. I was on day shift working 7 to 5.  Another fellow was working night shift from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.  The guy rolled his car at 3:30 a.m. avoiding a deer.  He got back to the hotel just as I was at breakfast and told me what happened.  Alan thought he was fine till about 3 weeks after the accident.. Net result he was off work for more than 7 months with 2 different operations.  Do see a doctor - simply to be on the safe side even if you feel great. Your car insurance medical should pick up the bill and your carrier will subrogate against State Farm - who will pay all your medical expenses.

 

Correct -- I have a $500 deductable, so I can't get it fixed on my insurance and let them subrogate.

 

Yes, I'm well aware of the medical issues. I was injured in a car accident when I was 14. The extent of my injuries didn't show up until three or four months after the accident -- and I've had back problems ever since (58 years worth). I'm getting checked out.

[desbennett004]

 

I had someone hit and run the drivers side wheel on my wife's van, insurance company was going to write it off because the upper control arm mounts were a little bent. I straightened them up with a big Cresent wrench, changed out a tie rod, and the thing was good as new. The shop said they were not allowed to do that, they had to do an entire frame swap, which would cost $20,000+.

 

If shops are not allowed to straighten frames, why do they have frame jigs and why do factory service manuals have pages full of chassis dimensions?

The dealership told me the mounts would have to be cut off and rewelded, they couldn't do that because they were a dealership, and the procedure for that was to do a frame swap. I just straightened them, they aligned just fine. They also called it "severe frame damage".

 

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[1987Comanche]

State Farm is a real PITA to deal with.  A 17YO kid playing with a cell phone rear ended/totaled my '65 Delta 88 a few years back.  Still driveable (until she needed gas...filler neck squashed shut) but I saw the ripples in the quarters, sticky doors,  and knew the frame had issues.  State Farm's 1st attempt was $2800.  They were he$$bent on telling me they could fix her and I finally said fine, when you find a deck lid, bumper, gas tank, and a good frame shop get back to me.  4 days later the adjuster from the total loss unit called me.  State Farm finally concluded no one makes body parts for a full-size '65 Olds.  Got a decent price for the car but it was an uphill battle all the way.