Is anything worse than getting your front end smashed in while your car is parked?

[jbripps]

Hey everyone,

I've had my P-car for all of 6 months now. I guess it was bound to happen, I just didn't think it would be so soon.

I was parked on the street with ample space left in the front and back. No big deal. I went into the bank for a closing, and after about 2 minutes of waiting inside, one of the workers announces..."does anyone in here have a black Porsche?"

With that, I gulped and hesitantly said "yes, that's mine". He responds with....."well, someone just hit you."

You probably know what words were going through my head. I got up, and slowly peered out the front window of the bank, and there she was......... a wounded soldier. I could see the hood scraped and dented along with both headlights shattered. I walked outside to inspect the car further.

I couldn't believe it when I noticed that the aggressor left a note on the car with name, number, and "I am SO SORRY!" included. I was relieved to some extent, but the damage is ugly to see. The front bumper has deep scrapes down to the metal too. I didn't even know the thing was metal to begin with.

Keep in mind that I need to get on with the closing, so I went back inside for an hour. When I got back out, a card from the local police was on the window, indicating a report number. I think to myself, cool, at least the guys doesn't want to haggle with which shop to use.

I then find that the guy who hit me works for another big bank, and the car he was using is bank owned. What a relief, I can most likely go to anyone I want, and the insurance will most likely cover me? It's not the worst damage in the world, and I know that things could have been uglier.

The saga will continue. By the way, it took me a good 20 minutes to clean the glass fragments from inside the headlight units. The lights turn on, I just don't know if they are salvageable. This worries me as I have H1's.

Anyone know of a great body shop in the NY/NJ area? I want the car to look perfect again. Right now, it doesn't look like that little icon on the left anymore. Lastly, kudos on the guy leaving a note. A bad driver maybe, but a gentleman too.

Any input is appreciated, and thanks, I just had to vent.

regards,

[davis911s]

First Off sorry to hear about this.

Secondly ensure that you keep ALL the notes etc, sometimes people will come back and say "oh it was half his fault" or he was "illegally parked" or something stupid.

Just keep it all in case. DO NOT settle for anything but the best when it is repaired, ensure it is back "as it was". I have also heard of people asking for compensation, since a "fixed" vehicle is sometimes not as valuable as if it were original. This compensation might be hard to get.

Good Luck keep us posted

Shawn

[MRM]

Fortunately there's not much you need to do in this situation. Simply clean up your car and take it to the best place available, have it fixed back to original, H1s and all. And send the bill to the other person's insurance company. Most shops will just take the insurance information and bill them directly. Don't worry about contacting the other driver's insurer, talking to adjusters, anything like that. Just get it fixed and either have the bill forwarded directly or send it in yourself.

Any problems, give me an email.

[Jim Sims]

Burying a child is far worse. Machines are repairable or replacable. Having written that I'm sorry to read of the damage to your car. It's a big hassle to get things fixed and many times insisting on a proper repair will cause a car to be salvaged. Insurance companies have no regard for sentiment. If repaired your car's value will be reduced. Demand proper compensation for this additional loss. You may have to obtain the services of an adjuster or appraiser familiar with Porsches. Good Luck Jim

[don911]

Sorry about your car. I know what you're going thru. I had my car about two weeks when a lady rear ended me while I was stopped at an intersection.
If fellow pelicans can't help with body shops, I would call the good p-car shops and ask them who is the best body shop.
Once you find the shop YOU want, take your car to the shop and have the insurance adjuster go to the shop to write up the estimate. That way, everyone can agree on the damage and you can avoid supplemental claims...and getting low balled.
Good luck.

[MRM]

My advise would be to not even contact the other driver's insurance company or arrange for them to do an estimate. Just bring it in to the shop you like best, tell them to repair it and send the bill in. There's nothing the other company can do if the repairs are done before they can get involved. They have to make you whole. They get involved in the question of what "whole" is only if you let them.

[speeder]

MRM, Couldn't the other guy's insurance co. claim that you fixed damage that wasn't caused by this accident if you don't let them see it in damaged condition? I'm not so sure about this advice- then again I'm not in the insurance business.

[Superman]

Good advice. It so happens, this NEARLY happened to me on Tuesday night. I was parked at a curb waiting for someone, lights and engine off. Stereo ON! A woman gets into and out of the car in front of me. Whe was there for twn minutes, off and on. Then the woman and a friend get in the car and start up. In the meantime, someone has parked in front of her and, while I thought she had enough room to get out, I started my car thinking I'd be nice and back up a couple of feet. I casually put the car in reverse ant it turned out to be just in time. She put her car in reverse and GOOSED IT! Her rear bumper chased my front bumper about eight feet, very simultaneously. I'm not really sure why I started my motor and was fixing to give her more room. She had enough room. Sure glad I did, though. My hood would have been badly damaged.

Be sure to have the repair done the way you want it, by folks with a reputation for doing PERFECT work. The bill then goes to the other guy's insurance company.

[IceBlueSC]

I am so sorry, but I do know what you are going through:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53844

You just have to be firm with the insurance agency that you are dealing with. (it also helps if you threaten to sic your lawyer, angry wife, and/or your own insurance company on them if they are not cooperative.)

Definitely take it to a shop of your choosing, and this board is a great resource for recommendations.

Bottom line: get the work done right and to your satisfaction!

Cheers and good luck!

[MRM]

Originally posted by MRM
My advise would be to not even contact the other driver's insurance company or arrange for them to do an estimate. Just bring it in to the shop you like best, tell them to repair it and send the bill in. There's nothing the other company can do if the repairs are done before they can get involved. They have to make you whole. They get involved in the question of what "whole" is only if you let them.

They could, I suppose, but would be unlikely to try it unless there was something in the repair bill that looked funny. If they contested the repair bill they would have to come up with some evidence that they didn't owe the bill or cause the damage. your evidence would otherwise go uncontroverted - i.e., that the car was perfect before the accident, got smooshed, and got fixed. The repair bill should speak for itself. The other driver will admit he hit your hood, you have the note he left, any damage to the hood and subsequent repairs should be pretty uncontroversial.

If they tried to dispute damages, you would go to small claims court, probably represented by your insurance company, or I could tell you how to do it yourself. You would present the bill, tell your story and get 100% recovery.

Good luck and try not to stress out too much, this is what insurance is for.

[9XI]

Originally posted by Jim Sims
Burying a child is far worse.

OK, I'm going to be in a funk for a while now. Ouch. That would be the worst experience life has to offer, I believe.

[dpmccraney]

same thing happened to me; i was driving a beautiful 1988 911, sitting there minding my own business, when this van backed into me. The van was owned by a large resort and so I had the vehicle restored and sent them the bill. Got a call from their legal counsel complaining about the cost of repair. I told him he should think about that next time his employees think about running into a Porsche. I had to do some serious butt-chewing (CEO, COO) over the next 30 minutes but I got the bill paid. Car was as good as new afterwards. Except the stone chips were all gone!

Stick to yer guns

[jbripps]

Hey all,

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!! To follow up, my car has been at Numme Auto Body in Portchester, NY (recommended by my wrench as well as Prestige Porsche out here) for over a week.

I'm waiting for Chubb Insurance to go over on Wed, the 2nd in order to look at the car. The holidays have slowed the process down. They will be fully covering the loss. I'll let you know what they say. Don't worry, If they can't put H1's back on, I'll ask(demand) for $1000.00 cash. If they don't give it to me, I'll simply sue them in small claims court, and win easily.

In the meantime, they offered me a rental, which has been a 2002 Cadillac Deville. I'll tell ya, I won't wonder why everyone is constantly hitting curbs in these things during their right hand turns anymore. The thing is simply huge........very smooth.....and yes, quite powerful.

regards,

[72SMFI]

I am very curious to see how it turns out when H1s are NLA Can you say I saw a set on EBay or I know were a set is. for 1200.bucks I am sure they can proably be repaired. My two accidents on my car were on the street getting backed into both left with out a note . however I did catch one of em when he returned to the scean of the crime and his trailor hitch matched up exactally.

[Jdub]

Late to this post...

Along with all docs, witness names, etc., ALWAYS keep a disposable camera in your car so that you can shoot the scene from all angle. Do not be shy, use every single darn shot in the camera and have them developed, possibly requesting dupe shots for your insurance agent (NEVER let the original negatives out of your hands).

I must say that it is good to know people still 'fess up to their errors!

John