Car Damaged last night - by my Wife...

[courtdale]

This is cruel irony at it's best. I have never been in an accident and I decide to dive head first into detailing and my car is hit. Not just hit, but hit by my wife in my own driveway.

It was a minor scrape, but the body damage is pretty ugly. The corner rear bumper is scratched/gouged badly and there is a jagged 5" mangled dent just below the light and above the bumper.

Filed a claim with insurance last night and hopefully will get this repaired ASAP. Anything I can do? Or do I just need to sit back and hope the body work goes well?

[BobbyG]

This is cruel irony at it's best. I have never been in an accident and I decide to dive head first into detailing and my car is hit. Not just hit, but hit by my wife in my own driveway.

It was a minor scrape, but the body damage is pretty ugly. The corner rear bumper is scratched/gouged badly and there is a jagged 5" mangled dent just below the light and above the bumper.

Filed a claim with insurance last night and hopefully will get this repaired ASAP. Anything I can do? Or do I just need to sit back and hope the body work goes well?

Unfortunately these things happen...

I'd have a talk with the shop you choose to have the repair done. Impress upon them that you're particular regarding the upkeep of your vehicle and tell them you've heard great things about their shop, thus the reason for their selection.. Ask them how then intend to tackle the repair; panel replace, dent repair, seal, prime, paint, clear. If they're finishing the flexible fascia ask them if they use a flex agent in the paint and clear.

Ask them to throw on a couple of extra clear coats for good measure.....

[courtdale]

Hopefully I'll be in touch with the shop, a little worried I may just be handing the car off to Progressive for the work. I'm wondering if it's even correctable. The mangled area below the brake light doesn't look like something they're are going to be able to work with. I'm thinking they may need to replace the panel, but I know absolutely nothing about body work.

[FUNX650]

Hopefully I'll be in touch with the shop, a little worried I may just be handing the car off to Progressive for the work. I'm wondering if it's even correctable. The mangled area below the brake light doesn't look like something they're are going to be able to work with. I'm thinking they may need to replace the panel, but I know absolutely nothing about body work.

Sorry to hear about your vehicle's damages. :(

Progressive probably has a list of their "approved" repair shops, but I usually get estimates from other reputable shops for comparison sakes...perhaps you might also want to do this.

Impress upon any repair shop that you want, and insist upon having: Genuine/approved by the OEM of your vehicle, replacement parts if they are so needed. They make for a better, proper repair, IMO.

Following BobbyG's excellent input on this matter is also a good idea.

Bob

[courtdale]

Well, I get the baby back this afternoon. Wasn't supposed to be done until Tues. but got a surprise phone call last night from insurance that she was ready. Have to say, after becoming severely anal over every little blemish over the past few months, I'm pretty anxious to say the least to see what the results will look like.

Estimate came it at $950, luckily with no deductible. I'll report back with the results as soon as I can.

[Y2KSVT]

That section below the tail lights is typically part of your rear quarter panel. That is probably the most expensive piece of the body to fix/replace as you can't just unbolt the section and bolt in a new one.

Hopefully they don't give you a "courtesy buff" while it's in the shop.....

[CAMAROZL1]

Anything I can do? Or do I just need to sit back and hope the body work goes well?[/QUOTE]

let her drive nothing but a mini van rest of her life. :xyxthumbs: sorry to hear that I feel for you. remember don't go to "insurance approved" repair shops, go to one you like and trust

[onlycodered]

One thing I'd recommend is to wash your car before you bring it into the body shop and ask them not to wash it. I had to have my driver side door repaired last year and the dealership swirled up my entire car quite badly in fact using a brush that had who knows how much road salt in it since it was during the winter.

[courtdale]

They did an amazing job on the rear end damage, unfortunately somehow they managed to drag something across my hood leaving long scratches, and then made a really poor attempt at buffing them out (blatant holograms running the length of the scratched area).

I left a message for my agent, but probably won't hear back until Monday.

[courtdale]

Some pics of the NEW damage (caused while with the insurance company). The area covered is about 10x20":

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/hood13.JPG (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36720/size/big/cat//ppuser/37349)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/hood22.JPG (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36721/size/big/cat//ppuser/37349)

[Flash Gordon]

One thing I'd recommend is to wash your car before you bring it into the body shop and ask them not to wash it. I had to have my driver side door repaired last year and the dealership swirled up my entire car quite badly in fact using a brush that had who knows how much road salt in it since it was during the winter.

Thats great advice ^


Some pics of the NEW damage (caused while with the insurance company). The area covered is about 10x20":

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/hood13.JPG (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36720/size/big/cat//ppuser/37349)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/hood22.JPG (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/36721/size/big/cat//ppuser/37349)


WOW!! Thats terrible. If I were you I would just try and fix it yourself and call it a day

[opie_7afe]

go get a estimate from a detail shop and take the check from insurance, then buy more stuff on autogeek!. will be a small check for them to write out but hey be extra money for you even though they scratched the piss out of the clear.....some DA loving should fix that right up

[courtdale]

WOW!! Thats terrible. If I were you I would just try and fix it yourself and call it a day

That was my first thought, and I probably could, but if there's a chance I can act really really angry and get a painted hood out of it... :xyxthumbs:. This is on top of the fact that something electrical is up with it as well now.

When I picked it up they said they had to jump it. I had no battery issues before leaving it with them. Also told me I was out of gas ( i had JUST filled the tank). Said I shouldnt turn the car off before I got home and to fill it up while leaving it on... really??

Filled it up but it only took 2 gallons, gas was in there, the battery dieing had screwed up the gas gage somehow. I'm thinking they left the doors open while repairing or something similar.

[timaishu]

Dang it. Crap like that is whats making me wait so long to get my bumper repaired.

I dont care how reputable they are, I dont trust them to not touch anything but the part being repaired.

[courtdale]

go get a estimate from a detail shop and take the check from insurance, then buy more stuff on autogeek!. will be a small check for them to write out but hey be extra money for you even though they scratched the piss out of the clear.....some DA loving should fix that right up

Hmm interesting idea. I guess I'll use that as my backup plan if they refuse to repaint.