BUMMER! Car got hit :(

Vipergrün · 12-20-2002, 09:21 PM

Tis the season to rush around and not pay attention.

Some girl in a Jetta ran a red light and tagged me on the passenger front side. Took out the front quarter panel, headlight, bumper, fog light, and bent the hood.
The alignment seems to be off, car pulls right.
Luckily I was quick on the brakes and she wasn't going *that* fast.

My buddy, the passenger, is still wiggin out, but he did comment how solid my car felt at impact

So, does anyone know of a good repair shop in the Ventura County area?

Also, has anyone ever dealt with Progressive insurance.

Hockey fan · 12-20-2002, 09:53 PM

Can't offer any advice - just wanted to say "sorry". What a drag to have happen in the middle of the holiday season.....or any time really.

Hope everything works out.

Jeff

cellison · 12-21-2002, 08:12 AM

Sorry about the hit BB. Can't suggest a shop, as I live in Atlanta, but we did have an experience w/ Progressive about 6 yrs ago.

At the time my wife was hit in her Mazda 929 by an 18 yr old that was driving too fast for conditions and took out almost the entire left side. His insurance company was Progressive. They came out and gave a repair estimate. I ended up taking the car to a local non mazda/non progressive recommended shop. The actual cost to fix was 2x what progressive estimated. Getting the car fixed was not a big deal, but I had to fight w/ them to get a "suitable" rental car, and the repairs took much longer than expected, so we had the car alot longer than expected or they agreed on. They really b*tched about that.

My wife was not really hurt, but shook up in tha accident and was sore for a few days after and could not excersise. I could have gone thru an attorney to suck money out of them for "pain and suffering" but didn't want the hassle and just took it as a part of life. Diminision of value was another thing. They may give you 10% of the repair costs (which was a joke) , but it will be a battle, to impossible to get anything more, no matter what documentation you can provide to prove otherwise.

During this whole deal, just keep remining them you would not have to spend/waste your time dealing with this as it was thier customer that was at fault and you are doing them a favor by trying to work thru this without bringing an attorney into it.

Good luck.

Charles
88 Cab

Zeke · 12-21-2002, 08:39 AM

Don't feel obligated to have your car fixed in Ventura County. I think there are plenty of great shops close enough in SFV. Jack, or any one? Call TRE, they work with one. Then your car and Jack's car can bond together.

Vipergrün · 12-21-2002, 11:13 AM

Thanks guys.

The damage could have been much worse, and we could have been injured.

By the time I called Progressive, the insured had already called in the claim. They would not tell me what her report of the incident was. I hope this does not turn into a *he said, she said* ordeal. Luckily there are cameras at this intersection, so she should have a ticket coming as well. I may file a police report for good measure.

Good advice Zeke. I want the best repair shop possible. Since Black Metallic is a PITA to match, I think I'll push for a full respray. So far it's definately the 1/4 panel, hood, bumper and valance.
I will also demand new OEM parts.

Will a good shop also be able to tell if there is suspension damage? I fear a bent strut, but not sure.

Drive carefully!

KevinP73 · 12-21-2002, 12:20 PM

I deal with Progressive all the time. They are a pretty good insurance company to have. If you're not in the mood to have it done correctly here in the valley, give EPR Collision a try. They are at 852 Via Alondra, Camarillo, Ca phone # 805 389 9574. They are the best shop in your neighborhood. Talk to Ed Palmer or Tony. Tell them Kevin sent you.
Good Luck

DByers · 12-21-2002, 12:23 PM

Brad, Sorry to hear about your car. Glad to hear you and your passenger are okay.
As Zeke said, dont restrict yourself to just VTA, but you might give EPR a call. Local PCA member and though I have never had work done there I have heard good things from some PCA members who have. They are in Camarillo.
tel- 805.389-9574

Mike Z may have some names for you also. He seems to know alot of the right people.

Keep us posted.

bill3667 · 12-21-2002, 12:36 PM

I don't know what Calif's laws are but I would run, not walk, to whatever police agency handles accidents at that intersection and file a police report. Any accident w/ over $500 in damage and especially an accident where the other driver was at fault I would have called it in and waited at the scene for the officer.

JMO,
Bill W.

Doug E · 12-21-2002, 12:44 PM

Sorry to hear about the hit Brad but glad you and your passenger are OK.

Good luck with the insurance company - some of them are the biggest pains in the rear to deal with!

Vipergrün · 12-21-2002, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bill3667
I don't know what Calif's laws are but I would run, not walk, to whatever police agency handles accidents at that intersection and file a police report. Any accident w/ over $500 in damage and especially an accident where the other driver was at fault I would have called it in and waited at the scene for the officer.

JMO,
Bill W.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly! However, when I called to see which office would handle it they said that if there were no injuries, ie; no medical attention, I would not need to file a report, but ONLY exchange appropriate info with the other driver. I asked if I could file one anyway and she reiterated, only if there were injuries. Don't know what's up with that.

dr.porsche · 12-21-2002, 01:36 PM

My own personal experience with Progressive leads me to say that they SUCK!

A friend of my wife's backed over my 2000 Honda Sabre. We turned it in to Progressive, They came out quickly, but gave me grief over every last detail. They wanted to pro-rate the aftermarket pipes, the custom fender, the handlebars, et al. Then when I wanted to have a different body man fix the fender and the bars, gave me a hassle over the labor charges. Ended up OK, but a major PITA!!

Also, just totaled my 92 Toronado....old dude pulled out in front of me. The car is worth, by the "book", about $5000. However, in Ohio, they use a market based value system to determine if your vehicle is a total loss, and mine turned out to be just that because the market value, as determined by the overlording "Car Gods", was less than $4000 ($4000 being the amount of damage). So, two things, pray that they don't total out your 911 and always get an "agreed value" insurance policy.

Bent but not broken.....Jeff

KevinP73 · 02:46 PM

If you go to a DRP (Direct Repair Provider) as assigned by Progressive, you won't have to deal with your insurance adjuster at all. An estimate submitted by a DRP is generally NOT reviewed unless some gross abnormality is appearent. You deal directly with the repair shop as to what repairs are needed. It's in the repair shops better interest to be as thorough as possible. He will benifit from a higher estimate and will be more than accomodating in the repairs YOU feel may be needed. All insurance companies have set guidlines as for labor rates and replacement part prices. If your car is an older model, they are less likely to provide "new" parts but will only pay for "LKQ"(like, kind and quality) Your insurance company is contractually (sp?) responsible to return your car to it's "pre event condition". If your car has 100,000 miles on it before the accident, then the fender they repair the car with can have the same miles on it. Obviously some parts cannot be replaced in a similar condition. You won't expect to get a used tie rod end or strut in the repair. These parts have to replaced with NEW, and OEM if still available from the manufacturer. It's a safety and liability issue. It's not likely the insurer will provide a complete re-finish no matter what color the car is. Your DRP is expected to able to match any color in any condition.I'd suggest you talk with the repair provider and let him talk to your insurance company if need be. In most cases he has a better repore (sp? again) with your insurer than you do, and he may have a couple favors due to him from them, that he can draw on.
Hope everything works out for you.

Vipergrün · 12-21-2002, 03:00 PM

Thanks Kevin.

So, if I read this correctly, I am better off going to a repair facility that Progressive wants to use (DRP), rather that a potentially better shop that I find?

Isn't there a potential conflict of interest with this type of situation? In other words, you'd think the shop would benefit the insurance company in order to get repeat business.

Sorry if I mis-understood.

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

Brad what a bummer! I’m really sorry to hear about the accident.

I would stick with more of a specialty shop and fight them every step of the way. If it was a Honda Accord, sure take to where they suggest, I’m sure they have a lot of experience w/ them. For a Porsche, take it to the best place you can find and fight. I know you don’t want an 18y/o armed w/ a hammer and a torch “fixing” your baby.

I don’t know what to tell you about Police report. Were their any witnesses? That would be the best thing you could have. Just one other 3rd party goes a long way in determining fault.

Good luck, I hope you and your car again soon.

Harold_89_911 · 12-21-2002, 03:45 PM

Sorry to hear about that Brad; You are not having any luck lately, are you? At least it does not sound like the car was totalled so you managed to not make it a trepeat (sp?) for the engine (if I remember correctly, your engine did not have any luck with the previous two cars it used to live in). Hope it works out for you.

Hope you have a good holidays.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Brad.....you need to file a SR-71 with the DMV, notify your insurance company and then let them handle it....

BTW....if your car is gran prix white.....I may be doing some fender swapping soon......

KevinP73 · 12-21-2002, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bb80sc
Thanks Kevin.

So, if I read this correctly, I am better off going to a repair facility that Progressive wants to use (DRP), rather that a potentially better shop that I find?

Isn't there a potential conflict of interest with this type of situation? In other words, you'd think the shop would benefit the insurance company in order to get repeat business.
Sorry if I mis-understood.

1. It's not so much that Progressive "wants" to use a particular shop. It's just that the insurer has inspected the shop and approves of the entire operation. Trained repair techs, approved equipment such as frame racks and measuring systems, spray booths, they approve of the estimating software used by the shop and the shop has a reputation of quality work. Your insurance company now doesn't have to send a field adjuster out to review your car, they save that expense.

2. The repair shop doesn't get any business from an insurance company, they get all their business from car owners directly. They just get paid from the insurance company.
It is still illegal for the insurance company to dictate who does the repair. It's in the shops better interest to satisfy you regarding the repair of your car. Lets say your not happy with the repairs and you can't reach a resolve with the repair shop. Your next step is to contact your insurance company and complain. Now your insurance company is spending time and money to resolve the issue. NOT what they want to spend time or money doing. If a repair shop gets enough complaints then it's no longer convienient for the insurance company to do business with that DRP, and they get dropped. Now when ever a customer comes in they have to wait for a visit from a field adjuster, sometimes it takes weeks for an adjuster to work them into his schedule. Then they have to sit down and both have to review the work that is needed. This is a big loss of productivity($$$$) for the shop, and more wasted time and money for the insurance company.

3. As for a "better" repair shop. If you feel that your friends shop is better than any of the DRP's offered by your insurance company, you still have the right to have him do the repairs.
It's just a different process to get the same results as for what is covered in the estimate. DRP's just have the added advantage of "insulating" you from the adjuster.

Vipergrün · 12-21-2002, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Harold_89_911
Sorry to hear about that Brad; You are not having any luck lately, are you? At least it does not sound like the car was totalled so you managed to not make it a trepeat (sp?) for the engine (if I remember correctly, your engine did not have any luck with the previous two cars it used to live in).

Dang Harold, I had forgotton about that! I'll have to tell Jason that the motor is bad luck!

MikeyZ, what, you don't remember the color of my car? A few too many beers that day??

I just finished filling out the SR-1 form for the DMV.

Kevin, thanks for clarifying, that really helps.

As for the damage, it isn't *that* ugly, but quite a few pieces were damaged and will need to be replaced. No where near totalled. I actually think the car took the hit quite well considering the speed of the other car, who probably had more damage than me, and left a lot more plastic in the intersection.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Yeah I remember.....just thought I would toss it out....

Sold the rear spoiler and valance today......thought maybe my luck would be as good on the fenders and hood.....

Sorry to hear the news about the ride....I'm about to move out...the kids, the rain, the noise.....arrrghhhhh......cabin fever.

N11Porsche · N11Porsche's Garage

Brad, I am sorry to read about your accident. Of course, the best thing about it is no injuries.

I would really encourage you to file a police report. Your right about the no injury thing, they usually won't do a report if no one is injured. Get in touch with them and tell them you think you (or your wife) may have an injury and are going to the doctor's to have it checked out and you want to file a report. (This may be true, sometimes these injuries take a day to crop up) That way, if the person that hit you, tries to change their recollection of the accident, you will have a report on file. Good Luck.....