Accident Repair

[amajestro]

My 04 C4 Cab. 6 speed was hit by someone running a red light last week. She hit the rear wheel. Scratches on wheel and on plastic to the right of wheel. When I tried to drive it traction control would engage and a bunch of warning lights would also come on. Had it towed to dealer. This is a nearly new car with 3.k miles. She hit it hard enough that the roll bars ejected.

1. Insurance company wants to send the wheel off to have scratches repaired. What are the consequences of them doing this? Do I have the basis to object? I.E. am I going to end up with something less than I had?

2. They seem to think that they can repair the gouges on the rear skirt. The adjuster said that because it is plastic it won't be a problem. Is this something that can be done without making the car look repaired. Will it last or is it something I should insist on getting replaced?

3. They are going to look at the mechanical problems. Is there anything I should have them check that is not obvious?

4. One of the tires has a gouge in it. They are going to replace. Is it ok to replace only one rear tire?

Thanks.

Edited March 10, 2005 by amajestro

[aak5454]

I think you better starting complaining right away becuase you are going to get the shaft.

Basically, you had a brand-new car and now it is less than perfect to no fault of your own. You will need to repeat this dozens of time before the insurance company will understand.

You should not settle for less than new condition. Thus (depending on how you drive) if the tires are already pretty well worn (say 40% gone; measure tread depth) then you need to be compensated for 60% of the price of a new set of tires. What you actually do with the money is your business.

Likewise, you have suffered loss of your vehicle. They will offer you about $15-18/day for your trouble. You need to explain that one can not rent a $90k sports car for $15/day.

This advice comes from being hit several times by random idiots. Even if you fight and complain you will still probably suffer some loss in the end.

Best of luck.

[LVDell]

First off, you CANNOT replace just one tire if the thread depth differs by more than 30%. Second, the rim needs to be replaced. Refinishing it will NOT result in a look identical to a factory new wheel. I just got done dealing with the same thing with my insurance guy. Gauge in the rear tire, I explained you can't replace one, so he gave me money for both. Second, He wanted to repair the rims and instead I told him that you cannot replicate the finish of the sport design wheels with repair, he agreed and replaced them. The body pieces (not metal) can be repaired without replacement.

As for the rental car, that is just life. You are NOT going to get a car of comparable value or style. Deal with it or pony up the extra cash. I was given a Kia Rio for $25 a day. Trust me, it sucked! But that is life. I was just satified knowing that my car is back to original if not better!

[1999Porsche911]

Take the car to the DEALER and have them give you a complete list of what must be done to get the car back to NEW condition in the areas damaged. If it means new rim, body parts, tires, etc, have them spell it out. The insurance company of the guy who hit you is responsible for all costs, including replacement car while your car is in the shop. When you demand this from the insurance company, also inquire as to where you should go to get yourself checked out medically because you may be feeling some pain from the jarring of the accident. Do not rip the insurance company off, but use all leverge to get your car back to the way it was with NO COST to you.

Edited March 11, 2005 by 1999Porsche911

[JimPDX]

Never listen to an insurance adjuster. Never let them direct you or tell you what they think the best course of action is.

As the owner of the car and the one who has incurred loss due to the negligence of another, you have certain rights. Depending on which state you reside in, you most certainly have the right to select whom you want to repair your car.

To that end...go to you Porsche dealer and have them give you a the name of the repair shops in the area that they use...ask all the questions about the potential repair of your car of at least two Porsche delearships if you can, but most certainly one then talk to the recommended repair shops and ask for references you can call about their work on P/cars...

The important thing here is that you have to be the one in charge...NEVER let the insurance company call the shots. If they give you a bad time...get a lawyer to intervene and don't settle for anything less than perfect repair work. After the repairs are done take the car back to your Porsche delearship and have them go over it...all this needs to be paid by the insurance company...

Good luck...

[P.Viby]

It is quite funny and scary to read how things are done in other countries. Here in Denmark is says that the Porsche shop goes thru the car with the insurence guy and they decide what can be accepted. plus if you are using the car for driving to work and it is not possible for you to use public transportation you are allowed to rent a car in the the same standard as the one being damaged. When some *** hit my 944 a long time ago I got a Audi A4 V6 quadro with all options.

I have not tried it with my 996...................yet :drive:

Good luck over there.

[Bostonduce]

All good advice here.

You need to go to a hi-line body shop that deals in expensive european car repair.

Usually, as the body shop opens things up they find other things that are hidden damage. They then submit a "supplemental" claim for extra costs. No list compiled from exterior observation, without dissasembly, will ever be complete. You could have a supplemental claim the day after you pick the car up from the repair shop. Good body shops wouldn't let it get that far usually.

Insist on OEM parts not salvage or aftermarket manufacture.

Keep up the mantras: "I want to be made 'whole'" . "It was nearly new in perfect condition, and I want it back that way". Remember this is not a Ford Escort.

In your state it may be possible to collect for "diminshed value" i.e. your car has been repaired and the perception is it's worth X$ less than if it was never hit. Try it-get every dime for it you can.

Good luck.

Regards

BD

[Greg]

It would be easier to pay for all expenses up front and then submit a bill to the insurance company. Does the law force you to work through the system set up by the insurance company? The insurance company has a contract with the other person, not you.

When my car was hit I had to take a half day off to have my car inspected. I would have rather just told them where it will be from 8-5 and let them come to it.

[amajestro]

Thanks everyone for all your advice. I am an attorney, so I knew the law. I needed all your tech help to argue the facts.

Here we get diminished value if there is structural damage. If you replace the broken parts, no diminished value claim under my state's law.

They measured my tire at 90% left so I guess replacing one will be ok.

The dealer is going to do the repairs. We don't have any high-end european body shops here. My old boss had them fix the body on his porsche and it looked good when they were done.

I am going to push them on replacing the wheel.

I did not get a rental, but am going to submit a bill for loss of use. Since my car is leased, I was thinking of asking for the lease payment calculated on a per day basis. I think it would be hard from them to argue that.

Still holding my breath on the mechanical problems.....

[clord]

Don't forget to have the dealer ckeck the alignment, and the suspension and half shaft on the corner that was hit.

[djantlive]

There are some real good wheel repair shops. If you can find one, I wouldn't rule out repainting the wheel. Alternatively, your dealer may have some take off wheels for cheap.

I'd be more concerned about your suspension. Hope it's not damaged but since your PSM is coming on, the dealer should check it out for you.

Repairing urethan scratches is ok. They'll sand it, repaint it. If it's cracked or dented, then that's something else.

My philosophy is everyone makes mistakes once in a while. If the repair can be done for less and produce same results, I don't punish others for mistakes I may do someday. Good Karma I guess.