R4Sedan
Larry
Geez sorry. I'm alway's worrying about this. Hope your ok. Hope you are able to work something out in your favor.
Got hit in my dart
- Thread starter Randy Bolt
- Start date
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diymirage
HP@idle > hondaHP@redline
i know right ?
its crazy how little attention people pay to the world around them
the other day i was out cruizing in the duster, going down a 40MPH road (so, yeah i was probably close to 50)
when some dummy backs out of his driveway into my lane
i mean, he is coming at me, going backwards and i am heading towards him in a EV2 duster, even if he didnt see me, he should have heard me
i ended up having to swerve around him, to keep from taking both of us out
strangely enough when he pulled up next to me at a light a few blocks down he refused to make eye contact
Daves69
Well-Known Member
Who are you insured through? What are they doing for you?
Early a body
Well-Known Member
I have worked in the Insurance industry for over 17 years.
I have been to Washington many times to many shops up there its the same as it is everywhere, the insurance company has to pay you for all the damages and needs to put you back to pre loss condition.
First thing not to do is to not argue with your insurance adjuster- this will only make things worse- be polite and point out mistakes nicely. Build rapport with them if possible, you are not driving a honda and they know very little about your car. If you come off to strong up front it makes the process bad for everyone
Is your car currently in a shop?
Did they do a "virtual inspection" to determine 4200- Avoid virtual inspections - you want in person inspection only
I would say 4200 may be dead on in your area as labor rates plays a part. your bumper is shot gas tank shot you more than likely have rear body damage. Cant see any frame damage in the photo you provided.
Don't get hung up on the number, the most important part is WHAT are they repairing and replacing
Take it to a shop that knows, works on old cars- you may have to do your research- but they are out there in the Washington area
Do not take the big chain stores, unless you want it messed up they are all about production speed and cost
If you have parts of your own its ok to use them , but ask to be compensated if you have some that will be used
Speaking of parts- start gathering the sources for the parts- your shop will need the help
Shoot me a pm if you want more information too, I can be help you through the process
I have been to Washington many times to many shops up there its the same as it is everywhere, the insurance company has to pay you for all the damages and needs to put you back to pre loss condition.
First thing not to do is to not argue with your insurance adjuster- this will only make things worse- be polite and point out mistakes nicely. Build rapport with them if possible, you are not driving a honda and they know very little about your car. If you come off to strong up front it makes the process bad for everyone
Is your car currently in a shop?
Did they do a "virtual inspection" to determine 4200- Avoid virtual inspections - you want in person inspection only
I would say 4200 may be dead on in your area as labor rates plays a part. your bumper is shot gas tank shot you more than likely have rear body damage. Cant see any frame damage in the photo you provided.
Don't get hung up on the number, the most important part is WHAT are they repairing and replacing
Take it to a shop that knows, works on old cars- you may have to do your research- but they are out there in the Washington area
Do not take the big chain stores, unless you want it messed up they are all about production speed and cost
If you have parts of your own its ok to use them , but ask to be compensated if you have some that will be used
Speaking of parts- start gathering the sources for the parts- your shop will need the help
Shoot me a pm if you want more information too, I can be help you through the process
^^^That^^^ sounds like an offer to follow up on.
My experience. '67 Barracuda rear ended at roughly 35 mph. It was drivable so the Highway cop told me to drive it home as it wasn't far. The other guys insurance company sent an adjuster who looked it over in my garage. I said I'd like to have the repair done at the same place that had painted it a few years before. He said fine.
Not everything went as planned. Rear valence was unavailable and we ended up salvaging the original rear bumper we removed for a better one a few years before. Doing repairs to these items rather than straight replacing took extra time.
I didn't have collision on the car so my insurance company didn't get involved. Maybe if the other driver didn't have insurance then the under/uninsured component would have kicked in. But other than notifying my agent, that was it.
My experience. '67 Barracuda rear ended at roughly 35 mph. It was drivable so the Highway cop told me to drive it home as it wasn't far. The other guys insurance company sent an adjuster who looked it over in my garage. I said I'd like to have the repair done at the same place that had painted it a few years before. He said fine.
Not everything went as planned. Rear valence was unavailable and we ended up salvaging the original rear bumper we removed for a better one a few years before. Doing repairs to these items rather than straight replacing took extra time.
I didn't have collision on the car so my insurance company didn't get involved. Maybe if the other driver didn't have insurance then the under/uninsured component would have kicked in. But other than notifying my agent, that was it.
The biggest issue I can see is determining the value of the Dart. Insurance companies are not in the habit of paying for more than what is determined to be the value of the vehicle. We all know that car is worth a lot more than $4200 but does the insurance company?
What I'm wondering is if this money is for "repairs" or are they determining it a total loss with no more monies to be had which would be settling the claim.
What I'm wondering is if this money is for "repairs" or are they determining it a total loss with no more monies to be had which would be settling the claim.
dukeboy440
Well-Known Member
I disagree because some states actually have laws that prevent that and a lot of reputable insurance companies now a days do as well. I’ve been hit twice over the last 5 years, 100 percent the other drivers’ fault and my rates have actually dropped on each renewal. I’ve let USAA fight each and at the end of it, they’ve done very well and very fast for me.
Plus, in some states, it’s actually a legal requirement to notify your insurance of such an incident, even if you don’t file a claim or are not at fault. Here in Indiana, the BMV will send you a certified letter if they have not received word from your insurance provider within so many days of an accident that you have notified the insurance company. Failure to do so results in suspension of registration and license
Remember as everyone has told you they are responcible to bring your car back to pre accident condition and the shop is your choice , And be nice till the time comes not to be nice. With that kind of accident I would go to your doctor just to be checked out. Tell him if ANYTHING is hurting. Hope you feel well.
I handle over 3 million dollars a year in auto related insurance claims. Not all states are the same obviously. Wisconsin after an accident you can't even collect the other parties insurance card. The police won't allow you to be in contact with the other party. Also insurance rates vary from different companies. Some raise them based off of your history, some base them off of a certain geographical volumn. Never once in my life have I seen an insurance premium go down. The replacement value of your vehicle depreciates daily but your premium stays the same or goes up. Makes sense. I battle DAILY with these rip off insurance companies who force body shops to repair a car the way THEY want you to... which is in their best interest. I currently have a Usaa claim in my shop and they have cut our estimate by 25% flat out refusing to pay for operations necessary to repair someone's car. Be hopeful you have a shop that likes working for free, doesn't know they are working for free or is so desperate for work they work for free. And be thankful you don't find the shop that takes what they get and does a half *** job so they can be profitable.
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
OP hasn't been back.....I imagine he's pretty busy with all this. My 74 Duster got rearended in the same manner by a Honda Accord back in the 90's. It didn't get picked up off the ground like the OP's car, but all it did was bend one of my tail pipes down, and dent the back of the spare tire well pretty good. Ends up, it was a lady that lives in the apartments near my house. She looked down while reaching for her coffee in the cup holder, and BOOM! Totaled her Honda, and I drove away. Since the OP was in a Dart, he may at least need a rear valance and maybe a center trunk floor at minimum. Passenger quarter isn't buckled, and hopefully drivers side quarter isn't either. I agree about at least checking with his doctor, even if he feels ok. A hit like that will definitely knock the kinks either into....or out of your back!
These bodyshops did that to themselves when they first let the insurance company take control. My old employer fought it tooth and nail and it just about killed us while all of the other shops were crawling into bed with the insurance companies. Some of them got a hell of a boost in labor rates when the insurance companies come up with the "prevailing rate". That was the beginning of it all. Stand Firm did a survey of the bodyshops rates and took an average in the areas and established a prevailing rate. Then they started steering work to the preferred providers. Then they started demanding concessions to stay on their program. Illegal as hell and still is today. Getting off subject here a little but if you want some heavy reading, search "1963 consent decree".
my68barracuda
Well-Known Member
It is usually helpful to read the post prior to responding.
dukeboy440
Well-Known Member
SLOPAR72
Well-Known Member
Are you sure you are OK OP? Better go to the ER and have it checked out...... I hope you aren't feeling any effects from this..... Because if you aren't OK the insurance won't want you hanging around with this claim and will be more than glad to get you right on fixing the car.....
JW
JW
512Stroker
We are all here because we are not all there.
Dont sign anything until after the car has been restored and you have had it inspected by someone that really knows A body's.
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
No. It was some odd name I had never heard of. The word "green" was in the name. It was ridiculous. Their 'book' showed that some 98 Dakotas had sold for less than $2000 recently in my area. I asked if I could see the book, and or verify the sales data. They said NO. I said I will complain to the Kansas Insurance department. They said go ahead. We have permission from them to do it. Then they were going to reduce the payment by $500 because my windshield already had a small crack in it, and that was what their 'book' said the deduction was. I said I can get a new windshield installed for $150, and she made me do that to keep them from reducing the payment. What a total screw job.
Early a body
Well-Known Member
Every insurance policy has a appraisal clause built in. That is you can evoke the appraisal clause and typically the insurance company and yourself will need to get the car appraised by a professional appraiser. Or you can let the insurance company hire someone ang just go off that number. The only problem is you are now bound by that value. The good news is everytime we did that on a classic the car would not total. I eventually just looked at the classic car values on NADA and went with those. Only totaled a classic if it was way beyond salvageable.
512Stroker
We are all here because we are not all there.
This is why I have a stated $ value policy.
SLOPAR72
Well-Known Member
When my 72 340 TX9 car got totaled in 87 my insurance was with Geico.... Not my fault and they actually got involved and got the payment amount increased by a grand. You and dumb I knew nothing and my parents picked the fight for me.....
Fast forward to about 1991 when a truck I owned was stolen and cleaned like a plate full of Crab legs (stereo, cell, etc.) GEICO accused me of actually staging the theft. It just goes to show if you end up with the right person things can go right but if you end up with something things can do in a different direction. GEICO did make good on the claim and immediately cancelled my policy. Whatever with that crap but it taught me how insurance works....
Trust none of them!
JW
gmopar59
Well-Known Member
over here the insurance companies sort it out between them, as long as you have her details. Your insurers will contact hers, just need to get a valuation of repair costs. Never happened with my Dart but did with my daily ancient 'Honda'. Sorry to bring that name up. Best wishes.
K.O. SWINGER
Meeting in the alley since 1976
Couple things, I quit dealing with Geico a long time ago they are a second rate insurance company. Second getting a fair compensation agreement is only half the battle the other half starts when you begin to have your car worked on. these days Everybody can do it and it seems like no one ever does it right. I am no professional body and paint man but the things I do professionally will be done correctly and to the customer satisfication!
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my68barracuda
Well-Known Member
You got that right, once the $ value is agreed to, getting the work done in a timely manner and done correctly is the next battle. Goof-Ball repair shops could likely be a thread of its own.
I don't know where you are in Washington, but I had a woman hit the car behind me and drive it into my 70 Dart a few years ago. I took it to Innovative Auto Body in Belfair, WA. They only do restoration and hot rods. They did a great job and the paint match was superlative. Replaced my stripes. They had me find parts that I was happy with and then paid for them. They used some stuff I had around (quarter extension) and paid me for them. The hit put a wrinkle in my quarter so they reworked the whole quarter. They found some stuff that wasn't obvious at the estimate and worked with the insurance company to add the work. If you want more info or a referral to the shop send me a pm. I liked the work well enough that I took my latest project (another 70 Dart) there this year for complete body work and paint. It was a solid car but had 50 years of dings and dents - all looks perfect now. With the work on my cars they are completely familiar with work on a car like yours.
By the way, they were working with MY insurance company, not the one from the driver at fault. My insurance company (State Farm) collects my premiums and wants my business. The other guy's company wants out of the situation as cheaply as possible. It's MY insurance company who paid all the bills and then went after the other guy's insurance to pay them. I even got my $200 deductible back and my accident free discount is still in place.
By the way, they were working with MY insurance company, not the one from the driver at fault. My insurance company (State Farm) collects my premiums and wants my business. The other guy's company wants out of the situation as cheaply as possible. It's MY insurance company who paid all the bills and then went after the other guy's insurance to pay them. I even got my $200 deductible back and my accident free discount is still in place.
The car can be fixed, but your neck will never be the same.
Get 3 estimates on the car and at least 3 on your neck.
Get 3 estimates on the car and at least 3 on your neck.
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