Wrecked '74 targa-advice?

[fintstone]

Had an accident in my '74 Targa today. It was not my fault and the other driver (teenage girl) received a ticket. She turned in front of me and there was nowhere to go. I was going less than 30 and scrubbed off quite a bit more speed with the brakes... but it did a lot of damage. Obvious damage: the hood, both front fenders, bumper, etc were damaged badly (beyond repair) and the front was probably pushed in as far as the front spare...but no glass breakage. My passenger seat was somehow torn by the passenger door handle. It looked like the doors were pushed back a bit (paint damage where they close (near the handles)...but they open. I took my targa top over to where the car was towed to...but it no longer would fit...so apparently there was some compression.

I don't think either of us was hurt much. I am ok...but my neck and back are pretty sore, but have a couple of questions. The first is: is this type of impact usually repairable on a midyear targa...and secondly, if not and they total it...what type of money would one generally expect for a pretty cherry, rustfree '74 Targa these days? I am sort of in mourning here...because I have had the car a very long time, pretty much had the car the way I wanted it, and planned to keep it the rest of my life...and it couldn't have happened on a prettier, sunny, top-down day. Feel like I lost a member of the family.

I have a huge amount of money into the car and cannot image getting anything close to what I have into it. If they total it...I will try to buy it to salvage the engine, A/C, sport seats, tires, 7' fuchs, etc....if they will let me. Advice?

[Fishcop]

I feel your pain!

Twenty years ago my cherry VW Karman Convertable was totaled exactly the same way. I'd spent my teen years restoring it and had only had my license about 2 weeks

Insurance wrote it off, and I was able to buy the wreck back - this where rear engined cars are a bonus. I restored it again, but it was never the same to drive and I sold it. Soft top cars bend easy...

If I were you, I'd definitely try and get the wreck back. Insurance will give you squat. Keep on the lookout for a nice targa to replace it and put your good gear back on it. As it is a car you love (as opposed to one you just drive), a replacement will never be the same, but I'd hazard a guess based on your description that the shell has been bent.

Good luck

[ossiblue]

So very sorry about your loss--at least you're o.k.
From what you posted, most likely the insurance company will total the car because you don't have a policy with an agreed value. Start doing your homework now by searching out extremely nice comparable cars to argue for the best possible settlement. Dig out all records of work on the car and recent pictures to back up your claims, but I agree with Fishcop, you'll not likely get much.
Regardless if you buy back the wreck or go with a like-kind replacement, whatever you wind up driving, consider an agreed value policy next time.
Again, sorry about your loss. Keep us posted.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Fishcop

I feel your pain!
...If I were you, I'd definitely try and get the wreck back. Insurance will give you squat. Keep on the lookout for a nice targa to replace it and put your good gear back on it. As it is a car you love (as opposed to one you just drive), a replacement will never be the same, but I'd hazard a guess based on your description that the shell has been bent.

Good luck

Thanks!

Yes, I would really like to get it fixed...but will be surprised if it is not cost prohibitive...especially if they think it is not worth much. At least it will be the other person's insurance paying. I am worried that they will try to give me less than the engine cost me...

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

So very sorry about your loss--at least you're o.k.
From what you posted, most likely the insurance company will total the car because you don't have a policy with an agreed value. Start doing your homework now by searching out extremely nice comparable cars to argue for the best possible settlement. Dig out all records of work on the car and recent pictures to back up your claims, but I agree with Fishcop, you'll not likely get much.
Regardless if you buy back the wreck or go with a like-kind replacement, whatever you wind up driving, consider an agreed value policy next time.
Again, sorry about your loss. Keep us posted.

Thanks for your kind words.

I am not sure I understand about the insurance. Why would an "agreed on value" policy help here? The other person's insurance (at fault) will be the one that pays. If one had an "agreed on" value policy...would their own insurance company pay the difference between the value and what the other person's policy paid?

[DasBoot]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I am not sure I understand about the insurance. Why would an "agreed on value" policy help here? The other person's insurance (at fault) will be the one that pays.

You are correct. Her insurance pays. And above/beyond what her insurance doesn't pay, go after her and the registered owner of the car (most likely her parents). Your insurance will kick in if she was un-insured or under-insured (assuming you have that type of policy).

[fintstone]

I suspect that I am screwed. I wouldn't have sold the car for $25K...yet NADA lists it closer to $12K. Got more than that in my engine.

[Fishcop]

An 'agreed value' policy allows you to claim against your own insurance to the agreed value, and the insurance company chases down the offending party to recover their loss. At least that's how it works over here in Australia. And provided you can identify the offending party for the insurance company, you don't lose your excess either. You pay a bit more for a policy like this, but the peace of mind is great.

Ossiblue is correct also - make a case demonstrating the condition of your car through photos, receipts and reference similar cars. And if you're not happy, do not settle with the insurance company.

[fiemiller]

Some adjusters will find the value based on cars for sale on autotrader, cars.com, etc.
We once got $12K for a truck with an NADA of less than $6K. I beleive that was a Geico adjuster. You might show them this '74 as a reference:
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/details?adId=90543675

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by fiemiller

Some adjusters will find the value based on cars for sale on autotrader, cars.com, etc.
We once got $12K for a truck with an NADA of less than $6K. I beleive that was a Geico adjuster. You might show them this '74 as a reference:
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/details?adId=90543675

Thanks! Good idea!

[jase007]

Same type of accident a while ago in my '76 targa.

Teen driver's insurance paid ~ $11,000 for new oem parts / total repair.

Paint looks great on the front of my car now.

I had std. insurance at the time ... they weren't involved.

In process of getting classic car insurance for 25% of std. insurance cost. Just spent ~ $250 for appraisal.

[diverdan]

From your discription, a quality shop could do a repair. New fenders, hood, front pan, all available. Even a full pan could be welded in.

Good luck.

Dan

[Dan Morton]

Do not let the insurance company pay you less than it's worth and do not sign any settlement papers right now! Do your reasearch on comparable cars and send to them. If they do not pay, consider a lawsuit.

Also, wait a while to settle on your potential personal injuries. It can take a couple years for the pain to really kick in!

Like others said, get an agreed upon value policy for your next ride.

As far as restoring this car, I would be hesitant but definitely consider buying it back.

[don gilbert]

heres whats going to happen, (it happened to me) her insurance is going to give you the the book value of the car (their book) maybe a few grand, and then you will have to take her to court, and whats funny, you cant mention the insurance company in court our the judge will throw it out, good luck.

[Zeke]

Sorry about the wreck, but I'm glad you seem to be OK. When you said the doors chipped, the top didn't fit and the seat was torn by the door handle (?), I felt the car is a total. But, I don't have the car to look at, so I could be wrong.

Anything can be fixed, but the collision industry is about saving and/or making money. We all know that. You'll have to make an end run on this one.

[fintstone]

Thanks for the advice guys!

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by milt

Sorry about the wreck, but I'm glad you seem to be OK. When you said the doors chipped, the top didn't fit and the seat was torn by the door handle (?), I felt the car is a total. But, I don't have the car to look at, so I could be wrong...

Milt
Yes, I wish I had been able to take a photo. At first glance it looks like it would not be that bad a fix. Just replace the bumper, valence, hood, bumper, lights, and foglights...What really worries me is that when I tried to put the targa top on...it would not fit. I could only set it on top. The gap had closed about a half inch or so (although I could not really see why. I looked at the back edge of the doors and both had hit the back door jam and damaged the paint...although the gaps seemed relatively normal now. I could not open the door immediately after the accident, but later when they were putting it on the tow trck, the door opened ok.
I have sport seats in the car with large bolsters. Although I really did not see any damage to the passenger door on the outside, the rod that connects the handle to the opening mechanism had come loose and the handle was pulled out as if you were opening the door. The shape of the torn vinyl (right bottom bolster) was almost the exact shape of the handle...even though they are pretty far apart...so apparently there was quite a bit of flexing at impact.

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I suspect that I am screwed. I wouldn't have sold the car for $25K...yet NADA lists it closer to $12K. Got more than that in my engine.

First,
You need to do a forensic documentation, I mean every receipt you can pull, checking account statements, ect. Once you have that go to the offending partys insurance company and present(this is a formality, they will laugh at you, that's ok).Was the other driver cited? The citation defines fault. Now go to the local courthouse and determine "Small Claims Limits", this will determine venue. Since you are at the 25K range I will bet this is a Superior Court case, find a fellow Porsche enthusiast laywer and file a case, include everything including the stamps you use in the filing amount.
I kicked the chit out of AAA twice using this technique, the first time we went to court, and I got the full amount of the suit. The second time, I just told the adjuster(AAA) to call the original adjuster and ask if they really wanted to mess around with me. Got my full estimate check in 48 hours. Insurance companies are low hanging fruit, especially if they are at fault.
PM me if you want more details.
eric

[fintstone]

Yes, the other driver was clearly at fault and received a ticket. There were lots of witnesses. Hopefully, the other insurance company will just pay what they should to fix the car...or a reasonable amount so I can replace it. My insurance is USAA and they have always been very straight-forward and helpful with my claims...the other person had Farmer's Insurance. I have never had any dealings with them.

My neck and back are hurting pretty bad today. I had hoped it would just go away on its own, but if anything, it is worse today. I may have to go to a doctor next week just to be sure. This whole situation certainly doesn't seem to be getting any better.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Yes, the other driver was clearly at fault and received a ticket. There were lots of witnesses. Hopefully, the other insurance company will just pay what they should to fix the car...or a reasonable amount so I can replace it. My insurance is USAA and they have always been very straight-forward and helpful with my claims...the other person had Farmer's Insurance. I have never had any dealings with them.

My neck and back are hurting pretty bad today. I had hoped it would just go away on its own, but if anything, it is worse today. I may have to go to a doctor next week just to be sure. This whole situation certainly doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Both companies you mention tend to be fair in their dealings, from what I've heard. Still, be prepared to fight hard for the value of your car.
You are experiencing classic symptoms of whiplash. Do go to a doctor and get a thorough examination, preferably by a specialist in this kind of trauma. Naturally, keep all records as this will be part of the insurance settlement. Don't be afraid of being accused of trying to scam the insurance company. This is your health we're talking about and more often than not, pain/disability from an accident don't show up for several days after the incident.