cjgoodvibes

On May 2, 2001 my car (2001 2.7T) was towed in for repairs to a shop that had been recommended, I am again assured that it will be ready soon. An oncoming car driven by what must have been a deaf blind man turned left in front of me. The car had extensive front end damage (now approx. $20K) from the crash so I guess 7+ months isn't unreasonable? I don't think that I want the car back anymore. What recourse?

DLow

7 months? Yikes - I'd speak w/insurance company to see if they can apply pressure to body shop

phred

$20K worth of damage? That's at least half the value of the car; in my book, I spell that t-o-t-a-l-l-e-d. Why would you want this car back, and why have you been so patient? And why has your insurance company put up with this?

Finman

to a degree sufficient to ensure safety. It's integrity has been compromised beyond what is reasonable to assume can be fixed by some choad in a autobody shop.
Even though the damage doesn't exceed the value of the car...it can still be "totaled"...then the wreck gets salvaged...and sold to some sucker somewhere.

cjgoodvibes

Insurance company claims a $30K threshold. In hopes of a quality job I have maybe been a bit too patient. I just found out that the original $13K estimate has been supplemented by a further $10.8K. I would have a hard time recommending Supershaft Auto Body & Paint to anyone in the future

Rick Pardo

more than 80% of whatever net book value the insurer placed on the car?

Another trick that the insurers use is to use "used" or remanufactured or even non-oem parts to hold the cost down, and not restore the car to a "betterment" condition at the time of loss.

If your ride was cherry, start lining up testimony from the dealer, etc.... as you'll be negotiating hard with the insurer to increase the first, usually lowball offer they'll give you as a "total". Be very careful and proceed w/caution!!

It's truly a case of the victim continuing to be victimized by a variety of 3rd parties - AFTER the accident occurs.

Regards,

Rick Pardo
99.5 A4 2.8QTipS Laser/Opal Grey.
01 A6 2.7QTipS - Cashmere/Melange.

Rick Pardo

sometimes you can't make these things up.

cjgoodvibes

Apparently the reality is that I (we)have contracted with the insurance company for the repair of my car. Subsequent dealings are between the body shop and insurance company. I (we) am, are a pawn. Subsequent increases, additions to the original repair estimate seem to be business as usual in this industry. Paraphrasing a representitive of the California insurance bureau, the deal is between the repair company and my insurance company. The original estimate was under $14K. The final as of today, "It's ready but we haven't checked everything yet"(parphrase). Total today is approx. $28K. A lot of "stuff" in the last few days. "AAA" Treatment?