PurpleITGyrl

So I've had my car (which I affectionately call Mercie, I know GOOBER! ) one year and 2 weeks before she was rear ended. I have a 2012 E350 Coupe. I have never been in a car wreck and really don't know what to ask/expect from this whole repair process. The person who hit me has taken full responsibility and their insurance will pay my insurance company once all repairs are done. I've taken the car to an official MB Dealers Collision Center. Does anyone here have any advice or info as to what to expect/and or ask about? I was told today that I can expect an additional 3 weeks on top of the 3 that has already passed for repairs. So bummed and the rental folks placed me in a Kia Sorento...an Optima would have been cool...a sorento Boooo

steventnguyen

Damn!!!

MBNUT1

You should ask for compensation for the diminished value of your vehicle. It will be worth less than it was before the wreck because of the record that would be on the carfax. I don't even look at cars that have been in an accident

PurpleITGyrl

I had a few more colorful words than that afterwards...but yeah! That sums it up!

PurpleITGyrl

I've heard that quite a bit about the diminished value of the car. Thanks I'm already delving into that option. I figured I'd just keep it and pay it off. Especially if the compensation for the diminished value is significant.

GregTR

Oooof! Sorry OP, that sucks. I concur with the diminished value claim although it is a tender subject and most insurance companies are reluctant and unwilling to pay it and you'll be fighting an uphill battle.

Here is a pretty good quiz that shows you if you should even consider it: http://www.collisionclaims.com/our-s...fication-quiz/

PurpleITGyrl

Thanks That's a helpful site! I've already bought it up and they seem to be a little tense on it but open to it!

I'm curious as to what percent does the repair have to get up to before they total it. I don't think I'm anywhere near close but every week it keeps going up 3K lol so just wondering...

thenew3

Most insurance companies will total a car if the cost to repair is more than 70% of the value of the car. However there are some insurance companies that won't total a car even if the repair cost more than the value of the car. I experienced it first hand where the repair and rental (took 3 month to repair) cost about $35k on a $30k car (it was 1 month old).

PurpleITGyrl

Really???!!! So they took in to consideration the cost of the rental along with the car repair or was it just 35K for the repair alone? I don't think they will total it out but was just curious.

thenew3

The 35k was the final repair bill from the audi body shop. this was 13 years ago on a brand new A4 that someone ran into (did not stop at stop sign).
My insurance company rented me a Volvo (they considered that comperable). the 3 month rental was an additional $6k or so. So total cost to them was about $41k. The car was purchased 1 month earlier for $30k.

PurpleITGyrl

Wow! Well we will see how far mine tallies to. I'm happy that this was a CPO but I'm really considering weather or not to come out of it after it's repaired and get another one.

thenew3

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

Long3494Qut

Ouch! Glad to know you're alive and well!

drsaab

Will need a new left quarter panel to be welded in and looks like unibody damage which is frame damage so i would push diminished value for those reasons. Not a simple bumper or trunk panel replaced.

Alignment to make it drive straight will be critical.

BenzV12

Sorry to see that incident , sadly accidents happen on plus side you're OK and walked away unscathed

hyperion667

I hate Kia's


sorry for your loss

joeyza

Spot on. I'm sure the MB body shop will point these issues out, but the off-center hit most like warped the frame. The quarter panel will most likely need to be cut and welded mid-way up the c-pillar for structural repair. There are so many parts that will need to replaced under the bumper, deck lid, truck, exhaust, etc., that it will be difficult to keep track of the list. MAKE sure you push for replacement of ANY part of the car that you even remotely suspect is related to the accident. If the front hood is misaligned, push for replacement. If the back seat looks suspect, push for replacement. Damage to sub-woofer or rear deck speakers? Replace 'em. Any curb rash on the rear rims? Ask for new wheels. From experience (worked in body shop, not accident experience), you have to review every item on the adjuster's list, cross-reference with what the body shop recommends, then push for more.

Best of luck with the repair.

ImInPA

There is no Frame to warp on a unit body constructed car. While the damage looks bad, it is most likely superficial and will be repaired back to spec. Sorry for your loss though. It always sucks to have to deal with the repair process. I feel your pain.

joeyza

Perhaps the wrong terminology? This is what I'm referring to as the frame.

C280 Sport

Very sorry to hear. Glad you are ok.

BACnMercedes

Ouch. That sucks. Have you considered finding or hiring an "independent adjuster" to help you? They might be able to cover their expense and get you more money.
Then I might consider trying to unload it/sale it before Carfax or Autocheck are able to report it. Does anyone know how long it takes to show up on a report?
Good luck.

thefisch

It sounds like you are going through your own insurance which will then subrogate the claim with the at-fault party's insurance. In some cases, you may need to shell out your deductible and wait for the claim to be settled before you get it back. But that may not be an issue if the other party has claimed responsibility with their own carrier.

on the rental car subject, I have had different experiences when going through my own insurance (which then goes after the at-fault party's insurance) compared to dealing directly with the at-fault party's insurance. While dealing with your own agent is more convenient, I found the rental options more limited because of lower limits (i.e. you have to pay out of pocket if you exceed a certain amount). When I dealt directly with the at-fault insurance, I was able to rent a comparable car at no cost to me. Of course, YMMV depending on the insurance company. At least an Optima would be better.

Also, in addition to compensation for diminished value, you could seek additional compensation for loss of work (leave time burned for repairs, etc.) and pain/suffering, if any without having to involve a lawyer. That's if you want to claim any loss. From what I've seen and gained from what others have shared, most insurance companies will pay out pain/suffering up to the same $ amount as the repair cost without getting lawyers involved.

And if this just happened, realize that is can take a few days for any signs of injury to show up. If you have any medical issues that come up later, be prepared to deal with more forms at your doctor/chiro for this type of claim compared to normal health insurance coverage.

Good luck!

thefisch

Out of curiosity, did the neck pro restraints pop up/forward? Did that help?

PurpleITGyrl

I said the same thing thanks

PurpleITGyrl

You nailed it! When I talked with the lady yesterday she said they basically had to take my car apart and build it back bottom up because there was unibody damage. I'm DEFINITELY pushing diminished value after all the research I've done.