Just got rear ended in my beautiful 944, need your advice.
01-30-2012, 05:26 PM
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Just got rear ended in my beautiful 944, need your advice.
Hi everyone.
A bit of background: I've owned my red 89 944 for almost 3 years now and I have spent a lot of time and money taking great care of it. It has 61k miles and looks (used to look) amazing. The interior seems almost new.
What happened: yesterday afternoon, I was exiting the freeway and stopped at the red light at the end of the off-ramp. I was stopped for a few seconds when the car behind me (a Dodge magnum) failed to stop and hit me. (I'd say at about 15mph.) I was stunned but started fuming when I realized what had just happened.
Fortunately, the other driver didn't leave and we spent a great deal of time exchanging all the information. He says that he had just left a car wash and that he tried to brake but couldn't stop (duh).
The damage: the rear bumper is crushed. No window was broken but it looks like the whole rear of the body has been "pushed in". There are two deep creases on both sides right in front of the rear wheel wells. The driver side door doesn't close completely anymore (it locks, but sticks out about 2 inches). The trunk is hard to open/close. It's hard to see on the pictures. The exhaust is also much lower than usual as it seems that the area under the trunk has been pushed down.
My questions (this is the first collision I'm involved in):
1) How serious do you think the damage could be? My assurance wants me to wait before I take the car to my mechanic.
2) I'm insured with Geico (I have collision coverage). I have an appointment with an adjustment expert on Thursday. What should I be careful about? They say he might give me a check on the spot. Should I accept it?
3) Do you think that Geico's estimation of the car could be completely off? The car was in really amazing condition, but I'm afraid that they won't take this into account. Should I be ready to fight and justify that this is not a $3000 car?
4) Has anyone been in this situation? What do you think my options will be?
Thank you guys for any advice or comment you might have!
The rear bumper:
Hard to see but the rear is pushed in and there is a big crease in front of the rear wheel well. I can't close the door more than this:
An old picture:
A bit of background: I've owned my red 89 944 for almost 3 years now and I have spent a lot of time and money taking great care of it. It has 61k miles and looks (used to look) amazing. The interior seems almost new.
What happened: yesterday afternoon, I was exiting the freeway and stopped at the red light at the end of the off-ramp. I was stopped for a few seconds when the car behind me (a Dodge magnum) failed to stop and hit me. (I'd say at about 15mph.) I was stunned but started fuming when I realized what had just happened.
Fortunately, the other driver didn't leave and we spent a great deal of time exchanging all the information. He says that he had just left a car wash and that he tried to brake but couldn't stop (duh).
The damage: the rear bumper is crushed. No window was broken but it looks like the whole rear of the body has been "pushed in". There are two deep creases on both sides right in front of the rear wheel wells. The driver side door doesn't close completely anymore (it locks, but sticks out about 2 inches). The trunk is hard to open/close. It's hard to see on the pictures. The exhaust is also much lower than usual as it seems that the area under the trunk has been pushed down.
My questions (this is the first collision I'm involved in):
1) How serious do you think the damage could be? My assurance wants me to wait before I take the car to my mechanic.
2) I'm insured with Geico (I have collision coverage). I have an appointment with an adjustment expert on Thursday. What should I be careful about? They say he might give me a check on the spot. Should I accept it?
3) Do you think that Geico's estimation of the car could be completely off? The car was in really amazing condition, but I'm afraid that they won't take this into account. Should I be ready to fight and justify that this is not a $3000 car?
4) Has anyone been in this situation? What do you think my options will be?
Thank you guys for any advice or comment you might have!
The rear bumper:
Hard to see but the rear is pushed in and there is a big crease in front of the rear wheel well. I can't close the door more than this:
An old picture:
01-30-2012, 05:32 PM
#2
Rainman
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if its creased on the rear fenders and the doors/hatch dont close anymore your tub is toast...MIGHT be able to pull it straight, up to the body shop...fixing it might still cost more than its worth, even as a nice car.
01-30-2012, 05:48 PM
#4
sorry to hear.
01-30-2012, 05:51 PM
#5
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Bad new about the car. You made it through unscathed I hope?
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01-30-2012, 06:18 PM
#9
WRONGLY ACCUSED!
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In some cases it pays to hire an insurance adjuster. They become your advocate in your negotiations. Usually they are brought in on real estate claims (fire, flood, etc.) but some get involved in auto. It is worth the commission to the adjuster.
This is why it is good to explore collectors insurance through Haggertys. They insure replacement value, not Blue Book value which may be far lower.
This is why it is good to explore collectors insurance through Haggertys. They insure replacement value, not Blue Book value which may be far lower.
01-30-2012, 06:21 PM
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absolutely gutted for you buddy, not sure how insurance companies work in the US, but over here i think they would write the car off as the body shop bill would easily be higher than the vehicle value. if i was in your shoes i would push for as high a cheque as possible and demand to keep the car as well.(over here in the uk if its written off they take the vehicle after payout, then you arrange a price to buy it back from them).
From the obviously excellent condition remaining panels and interior and very low mileage engine you have everything needed to throw into a good shell. so say you get £3000 that would easily buy a tidy 944 with say a blown motor, leaving you plenty of cash to have the engine swapped in if you dont fit yourself.
just my opnion. good luck what ever you do. Mitch...
From the obviously excellent condition remaining panels and interior and very low mileage engine you have everything needed to throw into a good shell. so say you get £3000 that would easily buy a tidy 944 with say a blown motor, leaving you plenty of cash to have the engine swapped in if you dont fit yourself.
just my opnion. good luck what ever you do. Mitch...
01-30-2012, 06:42 PM
#13
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My 86 turbo got totaled last November. The insurance initial offer was $8600 with them keeping my car. Final settlement was $13,700 and I got to keep the car.
Fight them for every penny.
In some states, you can hire an independent adjuster. The insurance company must hire their own independent adjuster and the two of them figure out a real value for your car. If you go down that road, you are stuck with whatever the two of them decide on. Do this ONLY is you can't come to a agreement with the company directly.
It is to your advantage if you do not need a check soon. If you can wait them out, you can get a more reasonable value.
Fight them for every penny.
In some states, you can hire an independent adjuster. The insurance company must hire their own independent adjuster and the two of them figure out a real value for your car. If you go down that road, you are stuck with whatever the two of them decide on. Do this ONLY is you can't come to a agreement with the company directly.
It is to your advantage if you do not need a check soon. If you can wait them out, you can get a more reasonable value.
