advice needed

[Don Jordan]

This is silly. Like most of you I love my car. I did a bad thing and wrecked it. I got a call from the insurance co today and they said the body shop gave them a quote of $13,000 to fix it. The insurance guy said that was too much and they would have to "total" the car. I'm going down tomorrow to try to talk to the body shop guy - who is tighter than Scrooge - to see if he can come down on the price.

The problem comes from the fact that I bent the door all the way back to the fender. He said something about putting it on a frame stretcher or something. I've got a lot of money in this car. I'm so depressed.

Any thoughts?

[Plymouthy Adams]

I think you should take it to a couple more shops for estimates..I know labor and such is high on the west coast but if the pictures you posted earlier are an indication of the total damage...that is off the chart for repair in my book...now I say that as I am know for doing all my own stunts..I do not run a shop or have the overhead of building, employees etc etc..would hate to see you loose the car for that little damage....any clubs in the area..smaller type shops that folks work jobs on the side..ask about in your area amoung the car guys at a cruise in for leads to these folks..

Edited October 12, 2012 by Tim Adams

[Dan Hiebert]

I'd find out how much the insurance company will cover. If you have the means to make up the difference, then have the insurance pay their share, and you pay yours. That's a very common fix - but its not the "easy" way for the insurance companies. This harkens back to the thread a couple days ago about customer service, sounds like they're taking the easy way out and just flat-out totalling it so they don't have to work with you to get it fixed. And I'd agree that the price is rather steep, perhaps the body shop doesn't want to work on it either - it'll take up too much of their time that they could spend on easier fixes so they can make more money, so they quote an astronomical price (that's what I'm guessing from your description of the owner). I'd heed the advise from others and shop around a bit. "Totalled" in my book = beyond repair, which your car certainly is not. "Too expensive" is a lazy business decision - not a service one.

[james curl]

If the shop does mostly collision work for the insurance companies then you project is like a thorn in the side to them. They do not want to take the time to fix and repair, they are used to just replacing parts. Find someone who has already had work done and check around with other owners of old cars for a reference to visit to see if you are comfortable with them and their work. I have two friends who do custom paint jobs for old cars, they cut out and replace all of the rusty metal before straightening the body before painting. We are talking $6000.00 and up paint jobs depending on the amount of dents that have to be removed before paint and buffing out the paint. They both turn out show quality paint jobs. We are talking about windows out bare metal paint jobs done right for $6000.00 to $8000.00 not repair a door edge, straighten the hinges and fix the crease in the cowl job. After saying that I will add that the $13000.00 means they do not want to do the job, take it else where, do not allow the insurance company take and crush your car. O.K. I am off of my soap box.

Edited October 12, 2012 by james curl
correct wording

[Young Ed]

Granted my car wasn't painted but I replaced my front clip radiator and had a frame shop pull the cowl and frame horns back to shape for about 1K. 13K is way to high.

[Don Coatney]

Where are the pictures of this damage that Tim mentioned?

[RobertKB]

I believe this thread shows it.

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=33913

[Don Coatney]

I believe this thread shows it.

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=33913

Thanks, I forgot about that thread.

[TR Waters]

Like many other things, if your car is a "classic", for some reason the price of repairs goes up.

If you are collecting on your own insurance, the company cannot just take your car from you. Negotiate with the adjuster to see what it will take for you to get a repair check and keep your car. Ask the adjuster for an estimate. No adjuster wants to total a car. Too many headaches.

Before you say yes or no, take his estimate and your car (or good photos) to a shop or two and ask them if they think the car can be fixed for that amount. No necessarily if they will fix it for that amount.

And yes, I am a State of Vermont licensed Adjuster and licensed Appraiser. #71653

[Don Jordan]

I went down to the auto/body shop (it's actually listed as a frame shop) I told them their bid was too high and the insurance co wouldn't cover it. I asked them how low would they go. They asked me how high would the insurance co go. So I called and left a message with the insurance co. Right now the way I see it ins. co. goes up, body shop goes down and if necessary I will make up the difference.

I love my wife, my hat, my dog, and my car - not necessarily in that order. I've put a lot of money and grief in that car. I was thinking I might be buried in it.

[40P10touring sedan]

...I asked them how low would they go - They asked me how high would the insurance co go...

Nice...they're playing the "how much can we get for this job" game.

I'd seriously source other shops to either justify the amount or simply to find a more suitable amount for the repair...it's common knowledge that most insurance companies have their own repair shops that they like to do business with but they will work with others.

When my towncar was T-boned I went to 3 places but wound up at one that allstate liked dealing with...sad part was they wouldn't fix a lower panel due to some rust perforation even though I said I'd cover it while they were fixing things...wound up taking the full payout and trading it in as was which turned out far better than just getting the car fixed.

Maybe just to have the door frame fixed alone could be enough to finish the rest on your own...just a thought.

We do get attached to these old relics and hate to let them go but if you ever entertained the idea of another car this may be your window to that with a $15k payout.

[Plymouthy Adams]

It has also been my experience that the shop wants the insurance check for the full amount...of course as stated earlier..insurance companies and fender benders keep the body shops door open..the rebuilding of an older vehicle where panels are not bought across the counter for chump change and delivered..the shops can change the average front fender in mere minutes and be ready to start the finish paint whereas having to work a panel is almost becoming a lost art.

The smaller body shop that is not tied up in insurance as the life blood of thier business is the place to seek out..again..finding these local shops is best done through members of a cruiser club or other car activities/affiliations..your best avenue to repair at respectable cost. Often the newer shops will only shoot BC/CC as it is a fast production paint...no real skill needed until the buffing stage..

[JerseyHarold]

One more place to look for body shops....ask local used-car lots who does their work.

[BobT-47P15]

Some insurance companies have their "recommended" body shops who

they feel do the best job, or give them the best price. However, many

companies will allow you to choose a different shop. We have several

larger shops here, but there is one smaller place north of town who

seems to do good work for about half their price.

Is there other hidden damage, or could that rear fender simply be

replaced in lieu of hammer and dolly work? The good news is....any

P15 fender will fit, off any model.

[desoto1939]

Ok, you got quote from a shop to fix the damage. But who is insuring the car, what is the value that you have on the car. Is the plicy actual or stated value.

If the car cost to fix is more thatn the stated valued that you have insured on the car then the insurance company will total the car.

I hope you are insured with an antique car insuracne company and not just your local guy that insures your everyday car.

Always, Always use the Antique car Collector insuracne conmpany you will get the better price and also the better coverage.

We all need more info on this issue.

Rich Hartung

[Don Jordan]

My insurance co. is Hagerty. So far they have been very helpful. I guess it's partially my fault. To keep the cost down I valued the car at $20,000.

An old saying that I try to live by (but sometimes slip) "The less you pay the more it costs."

I will call Monday to see where I stand.

This is way off topic - today I went to a big swap meet in Pomona, CA. Nothing but old cars and parts. I finally found a 6v timing light. Don't know if it works - I'll find out tomorrow. Now all I need to find is a 6v tach.

[Scruffy49]

If you want it done right at a reasonable cost find out where the local lowriders are built. Your front fender looks like a one day fix, rear fender 2-3 days, door and panel repairs another couple days. Shop boss will have his apprentices on that that stink on a fresh cow pie. I've had 30s through early 50s repairs done at lowrider shops for as little as a keg of beer. And the work was top notch, those guys respect older iron.

Saw the pics in your other thread, how's the bruise coming along?

[old stovebolt]

This is silly. Like most of you I love my car. I did a bad thing and wrecked it. I got a call from the insurance co today and they said the body shop gave them a quote of $13,000 to fix it. The insurance guy said that was too much and they would have to "total" the car. I'm going down tomorrow to try to talk to the body shop guy - who is tighter than Scrooge - to see if he can come down on the price.

The problem comes from the fact that I bent the door all the way back to the fender. He said something about putting it on a frame stretcher or something. I've got a lot of money in this car. I'm so depressed.

Any thoughts?

Hi Don,

If you want to send me a PM, I might be able to help you. I am local and have some extra 4 door parts. I am also fluent with Insurance practices and body / frame repairs.

[desoto1939]

Ok the car is insured by an antique car insurance company good move. You have it valued at 20K. So if the total amount is under the 2ok then they should be paying out the 13k to fix the car and not totaling it.

You are covered for 20k worth of damage. If they totl it then you want the 20K approach them on that figure.

The car has not gone over the total amount you have it insured for. You are getting ripped by Haggerty. Call your State Government an ask for the person in the state captial that handle all insurance companies and get to talk with them.

Let them know whats going on and you might get a different reply back from Haggerty. Seems as if Haggerty is running you up the flagpole.

Keep us posted.

Rich Hartung

[old stovebolt]

Hi Don,

If you want to send me a PM, I might be able to help you. I am local and have some extra 4 door parts. I am also fluent with Insurance practices and body / frame repairs.

Having not heard back from you, I guess you have fixed your problem.....

[BobT-47P15]

On regular cars, the insurors call it a total if damages reach a certain

percent of the value of the car. Maybe that's what Hagerty is trying

to say. Don't know how their policy reads. But - at the same time - they do insure them for a stated or agreed value.

Hopefully the situation has been resolved.

I was actually concerned about that sort of thing when the adjuster

from State Farm was assessing the damage on the convert, from the tornado. But the estimate did not reach a level to create a question....

fortunately.

Edited October 19, 2012 by BobT-47P15

[Don Jordan]

In a way I'm a little annoyed. The body shop came in with a bid of $13,000 +/- the insurance co said they would only insure 70%. They told me they would have to salvage the car. I called the body shop to see if we could work something out. Without missing a beat they agreed to the $12000 the insurance co was willing to pay.

I know everyone is out to make a buck. I agree I am very naive. But I was uncomfortable being put in the middle. I got a new door, garnish molding, window, weather stripping... I don't know how all that figures in the bill.

I feel guilty for the accident in the first place. I guess it will be fixed and I will be more careful.

Thank you all for your input - I appreciate all the comments. An old car is like a dog - unless you actually own one you can't really understand the love one could have. Pretty silly.

[dezeldoc]

Wow missed this post! Bad deal Don, but this is no where near 13 k damage.

[Don Jordan]

I am not as familiar with the intricacies of this board as I should be after all these years. So when I got the car back I inadvertently posted a new thread. I apologize to all the purists.

So let me give you the bottom line:

I was with Hagerty Ins. and I have no complaints. The car was valued around $20,000 and they would only insure $14,000. The repair costs were over $13,000 so they said they would have to total it. I was not keen on that idea so they said I could buy the car for $2,600. That left me with $11,400. Interestingly the body shop came down in price and they took the $11,400. Out of pocket I bought a new door, rear fender (which they didn't use), I bought all new weather striping for the door, new glass, and new upholstery (I had left over material).

It's over now so it doesn't matter if I did it right or wrong. I drove it home and just sitting behind the wheel listening to that flat head roar made it all worth while.

One of the reasons it cost so much is when the door snapped back it tweaked the frame. They did a lot of work.

So now I have a bent door, rear fender, garnish molding if any one needs them. They "need work".

[desoto1939]

I am not as familiar with the intricacies of this board as I should be after all these years. So when I got the car back I inadvertently posted a new thread. I apologize to all the purists.

So let me give you the bottom line:

I was with Hagerty Ins. and I have no complaints. The car was valued around $20,000 and they would only insure $14,000. The repair costs were over $13,000 so they said they would have to total it. I was not keen on that idea so they said I could buy the car for $2,600. That left me with $11,400. Interestingly the body shop came down in price and they took the $11,400. Out of pocket I bought a new door, rear fender (which they didn't use), I bought all new weather striping for the door, new glass, and new upholstery (I had left over material).

It's over now so it doesn't matter if I did it right or wrong. I drove it home and just sitting behind the wheel listening to that flat head roar made it all worth while.

One of the reasons it cost so much is when the door snapped back it tweaked the frame. They did a lot of work.

So now I have a bent door, rear fender, garnish molding if any one needs them. They "need work".

Still do not understand. Did you have the car insured for 20K or 14K. If you had it insured for 20K then that should have been the max that they would pay if the car would have been totalled out beyounf repair. Since the 14K was below the insured valued then they were responsible to repair the car. I have insuracne with Grundy and when I talked to them during your issue with Haggerty they told me that if insured with them if the car is insureded for 20K then they will fix the car upto 20K. There is no prorating on the value of the car. I would look into another carrier and then let the state Insurace commisioner know of what they pulled on you. Something is very fisshy in the fish market if you know what I mean.

Rich Hartung