updated: Mustang hit by idiots.
Car is a 98, perfect condition, never in rain, snow, etc.
This past Tuesday it's a beautiful night, low 80's, nice weather. So I decided to take the car for a little cruise to pick up some dinner.
I just picked up the police report today, so I'll let it do the speaking.
NOTE: I'm vehicle #2, the idiots are vehicle #1 and I've edited out the non-important things like roads.
No one was hurt, and the damage isn't too severe. It basically just pushed in the rear bumper and it popped back out. So all the clear coat is cracked, and some paint chipped off. It just kills me because the car was so perfect. It's also laser red (E9) color which is notorious for fading (which I'm hoping is minimal since the car has been garaged forever), but they're going to have to blend the paint into the 1/4's and trunk so it looks right.
It really just ticks me off. Oh well; I'm done ranting.
UPDATE: The other drivers insurance finally got back to me and they accepted full liability. Now I just need to meet their adjuster at some shop next Tuesday. 2 weeks without driving my car sucks; it's driveable, I just don't want to risk any additional damage. To top it off, when I pulled it out of the garage last Sunday to take pictures it wouldn't start. When it did start, it wouldn't idle. I think she's upset. I had to keep it idle high for about 20 seconds then it cleared up and ran fine.
UPDATE 2: The insurance battle has commenced.
Their assessor estimate was about HALF of private estimates I've gotten. Had he been close, say a hundred or two away, I would've said fine and just taken the money. However, like I said, he wasn't even in the ball park. He told me they don't cover blending bumpers into quarter panels or fenders (because I asked; he said something like "The paint adheres differently so we dont cover blending". Ok so you'll half-ass it...cool), they only give $46/hour because it's some national average, and he didn't take into account that the factory paint is 3-stage and is a longer paint process (this can add an additional 2 hours in most estimates I've gotten). His estimate for time was 2.3 hours of body work, and 3.2 hours of "refinish" which I assume is all the painting; total labor 5.5 hours.
The average of private estimates has been roughly 4-5 hours labor/body, and 4-5 hours of paint. He also didn't include any costs for paint supplies & body supplies. Things like tape, filters, sand paper, filler, etc...shop supplies and things they charge for.
Now I'm just waiting for the adjuster to call back...I've already had to take 2 half days because of this. Today I drove 30 minutes each way to meet with the assessor. They should be coming to my house.
Car is a 98, perfect condition, never in rain, snow, etc.
This past Tuesday it's a beautiful night, low 80's, nice weather. So I decided to take the car for a little cruise to pick up some dinner.
I just picked up the police report today, so I'll let it do the speaking.
NOTE: I'm vehicle #2, the idiots are vehicle #1 and I've edited out the non-important things like roads.
Both were in the right lane. Both had stopped for a red traffic light. As the traffic signal turned green, both vehicles began to move forward. Vehicle #1 operator was putting a cup into the cup holder while moving forward and impacted the rear of vehicle #2 causing damage.
No one was hurt, and the damage isn't too severe. It basically just pushed in the rear bumper and it popped back out. So all the clear coat is cracked, and some paint chipped off. It just kills me because the car was so perfect. It's also laser red (E9) color which is notorious for fading (which I'm hoping is minimal since the car has been garaged forever), but they're going to have to blend the paint into the 1/4's and trunk so it looks right.
It really just ticks me off. Oh well; I'm done ranting.
UPDATE: The other drivers insurance finally got back to me and they accepted full liability. Now I just need to meet their adjuster at some shop next Tuesday. 2 weeks without driving my car sucks; it's driveable, I just don't want to risk any additional damage. To top it off, when I pulled it out of the garage last Sunday to take pictures it wouldn't start. When it did start, it wouldn't idle. I think she's upset. I had to keep it idle high for about 20 seconds then it cleared up and ran fine.
UPDATE 2: The insurance battle has commenced.
Their assessor estimate was about HALF of private estimates I've gotten. Had he been close, say a hundred or two away, I would've said fine and just taken the money. However, like I said, he wasn't even in the ball park. He told me they don't cover blending bumpers into quarter panels or fenders (because I asked; he said something like "The paint adheres differently so we dont cover blending". Ok so you'll half-ass it...cool), they only give $46/hour because it's some national average, and he didn't take into account that the factory paint is 3-stage and is a longer paint process (this can add an additional 2 hours in most estimates I've gotten). His estimate for time was 2.3 hours of body work, and 3.2 hours of "refinish" which I assume is all the painting; total labor 5.5 hours.
The average of private estimates has been roughly 4-5 hours labor/body, and 4-5 hours of paint. He also didn't include any costs for paint supplies & body supplies. Things like tape, filters, sand paper, filler, etc...shop supplies and things they charge for.
Now I'm just waiting for the adjuster to call back...I've already had to take 2 half days because of this. Today I drove 30 minutes each way to meet with the assessor. They should be coming to my house.
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