C300 - hit by genius in Cherokee
#26
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RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
Guys - I'm confused - why wouldn't you want to get your insurance company involved? Simply to try and prevent it from being reported on the cars record as in an accident?
#27
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2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
Just heard from the body shop and the prelim estimate is $11k. The rear axle may be bent, and they're not sure about the engine, so they're shipping my baby off to the local dealership to see how many other things are jacked (they suspect the engine, too).
Interestingly enough, turns out the owner of the body shop's had to deal with a few new cars in recent history and provided a nice morsel of insurance knowledge: the insurance companies will repair vehicles up to 70% of their value. So if repairs exceed that $25k mark, looks like it'll be written off as a loss. Regardless, sounds like this car's going to be sustaining a pretty significant value hit if we're already at 27% of it's value before MB gets their meat paws on it! This will truly be interesting.
Interestingly enough, turns out the owner of the body shop's had to deal with a few new cars in recent history and provided a nice morsel of insurance knowledge: the insurance companies will repair vehicles up to 70% of their value. So if repairs exceed that $25k mark, looks like it'll be written off as a loss. Regardless, sounds like this car's going to be sustaining a pretty significant value hit if we're already at 27% of it's value before MB gets their meat paws on it! This will truly be interesting.
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#28
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
NOTIFICATION
The insurance carriers look at their policy holders every time it's time for renewal and any excuse to raise the premium will be used.
Remember, the insurance companies are in business to collect premiums, not pay claims. They are not your buddy.
#29
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C-300, XC70, Wrangler
What I meant was asking them to repair the damage minus deductible and then expecting them to go after the other company (subrogation) for the total amount. You will then have a claim on your record even though they got their money back.
The insurance carriers look at their policy holders every time it's time for renewal and any excuse to raise the premium will be used.
Remember, the insurance companies are in business to collect premiums, not pay claims. They are not your buddy.
The insurance carriers look at their policy holders every time it's time for renewal and any excuse to raise the premium will be used.
Remember, the insurance companies are in business to collect premiums, not pay claims. They are not your buddy.
I have once or twice contacted my agent when it was clearly the other guy's fault. I did so because the agent was a personal friend and did not involve the insurance company. He did contact the other party's insurance company and apply a tad bit of pressure, to my benefit ...
A true friend won't tell the insurance company. What a way to find out, though.
#30
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Update: Palo Alto PD charges $10 for releasing a copy of the report, plus you have to come in person (despite not having a car). I'll have a car tomorrow, and will swing by so I can get this thing moving again.
BTW, I love the idea of getting a new one and using the old one as trade-in hahahaha
BTW, I love the idea of getting a new one and using the old one as trade-in hahahaha
Good Luck with that car. Wow, sounds like somebody was kinda high when they struck your car - during the day too?
#32
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2009 C300
Just found out the driver ended up in the hospital with some bruised lungs due to impact with their steering wheel. While unfortunate, the driver is ok, and should recover soon.
Now that I have a PoS rental (GMC Canyon?) I'm parking it outside as it's not worthy of the garage. I'm also going to try and make myself feel better about this madness by redoing the garage floor, so the car's got a nice "welcome home" if it doesn't get totaled (not looking like it will).
Wish this process was faster - I miss my car!!!
Now that I have a PoS rental (GMC Canyon?) I'm parking it outside as it's not worthy of the garage. I'm also going to try and make myself feel better about this madness by redoing the garage floor, so the car's got a nice "welcome home" if it doesn't get totaled (not looking like it will).
Wish this process was faster - I miss my car!!!
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2009 C300
Just got an update from the body shop - looks like $15k later, the car will be repairable. They estimate it'll take 3 weeks to fix, though, so I'm stuck with a PoS rental until they get this thing back together, tested, and tuned to be the killer machine it used to be.
3...weeeeeeeks...!!! ahhhhhh
3...weeeeeeeks...!!! ahhhhhh
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2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
Just got an update from the body shop - looks like $15k later, the car will be repairable. They estimate it'll take 3 weeks to fix, though, so I'm stuck with a PoS rental until they get this thing back together, tested, and tuned to be the killer machine it used to be.
3...weeeeeeeks...!!! ahhhhhh
3...weeeeeeeks...!!! ahhhhhh
#37
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2009 C300
Just spoke to both my ins company and the other persons - a claim of diminished value requires an appraiser to examine the damage before the accident and compare to the market price of the vehicle after, and then magically arrive at a conclusion as to what my losses would be. Unfortunately, they won't tell me what appraisers they accept or how this appraisal should occur, just building a case and mailing it in.
Has anyone ever done this? How do you ensure the diminished value is accurately compensated for?
Has anyone ever done this? How do you ensure the diminished value is accurately compensated for?
#38
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2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
Yes, any claim of diminished value will require a professional appraisal. You may want to get your own appraiser (in addition to the one hired by the insurance company).
Maybe now is a good time to consider whether or not you wish to keep the car, after sustaining this much damage. If you think you want to trade it in, this will simplify the diminished value part. Simply disclose the damage history to the dealer, and have them give you in writing how much your trade-in is now worth. Then claim the loss in value (from NADA book) as the diminished value with the other driver's insurance company.
The insurance company will not be happy, but it is hard to argue with the real-world loss in value (instead of an appraised loss).
Maybe now is a good time to consider whether or not you wish to keep the car, after sustaining this much damage. If you think you want to trade it in, this will simplify the diminished value part. Simply disclose the damage history to the dealer, and have them give you in writing how much your trade-in is now worth. Then claim the loss in value (from NADA book) as the diminished value with the other driver's insurance company.
The insurance company will not be happy, but it is hard to argue with the real-world loss in value (instead of an appraised loss).
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#40
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2009 C300
Just got the car back this evening - $15,700 later. Oh, and I just found a 3" crack in the windshield (at the base). They didn't do that perma-plate that MB did when I bought it, so I've got to schedule that tomorrow.
Almost back to normal!
Almost back to normal!
#41
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BMW, Tesla, Mercedes, Porsche, Cadillac
Congrats on finally getting your car back! A few years back, one of my (not current) MB's was involved in an accident. Took 2 and a half months to fix! I was going nuts, and I was also tired of that stupid Volvo S40. I finally was able to get a W203 C-Class rental. So much better.
#45
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2009 C300
lol already spent the money once, so figure if insurance will do it again for free, why not ![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Getting both the windshield and paintguard done tomorrow, so I'm thrilled. Will finally be BACK to normal. The cost for the other guy is gonna be +$1,500sh on top of the $15,700 so far + whatever the diminished value claim nets me (will letchya know).
![Big Grin](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Getting both the windshield and paintguard done tomorrow, so I'm thrilled. Will finally be BACK to normal. The cost for the other guy is gonna be +$1,500sh on top of the $15,700 so far + whatever the diminished value claim nets me (will letchya know).
#46
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08 honda fit.. soon 05 clk55amg
I just wanna chime in a say a couple of thing.
I work with an insurance and we do not look for reason to raise premium on collision claim if it is "NOT" YOUR FAULT.
Depending on who your insurer is, a claim that is not your fault and has been paid through by collision coverage will have no effect on your premium.
For the OP, go after the other party's insurer and go all out if you want to recover the lose in value of the car. Best bet to get your $$ is to let an attourney handle the matter. Less stressful for you and they work for you and not the insurance co. You have the right to recover back to the state prior to the accident; principle of indemnity.
GL
I work with an insurance and we do not look for reason to raise premium on collision claim if it is "NOT" YOUR FAULT.
Depending on who your insurer is, a claim that is not your fault and has been paid through by collision coverage will have no effect on your premium.
For the OP, go after the other party's insurer and go all out if you want to recover the lose in value of the car. Best bet to get your $$ is to let an attourney handle the matter. Less stressful for you and they work for you and not the insurance co. You have the right to recover back to the state prior to the accident; principle of indemnity.
GL
Last edited by ceethreefiveoh; 06-02-2009 at 02:34 PM.
#47
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I had a tourist in a rented SUV slid through an intersection and rammed my parked Passat.
The damage was $12,000 and took 4 months to repair -- it happened three days after I bought it and it was the first week the car was introduced so no parts were available at that time. I had my insurance company involved, which was a good thing, as the other driver declined insurance coverage and Progressive took care of the situation very efficiently.
Because the accident was the other driver's fault, I insisted that neither I or Progressive pay a single cent for anything, OEM parts must be used, and the rental has to be comparible to what I was driving. Progressive managed to get the other driver to pay for everything and meet my demands.
I recently had an accident with my W204, but it was my fault which I totally accept. It seemed like a minor bump, but unfortunately I hit a 70's Chrysler beater which was built like a tank. The Chrysler had no damage at all, but my front bumper had three distinct holes from the Chrysler's bumper stop and towing hitch. The headlights and grill was damaged and the hood had a kink.
I took my car to a shop operated by my MB dealership (the only dealer owned and operated shop in my state), as they have an excellent reputation and they repair to factory spec.
The damages came to $14,000 (about 3 weeks in the shop), which was $10,000 more than I thought as the damage was mainly cosmetic.
The headlights were $2,000 a piece, the AMG bumper was $1,000, my custom front end clear bra was $1,400, and the factory paint was obscenely expensive.
So I definitely feel for you and I hope your claim goes through smoothly.
The damage was $12,000 and took 4 months to repair -- it happened three days after I bought it and it was the first week the car was introduced so no parts were available at that time. I had my insurance company involved, which was a good thing, as the other driver declined insurance coverage and Progressive took care of the situation very efficiently.
Because the accident was the other driver's fault, I insisted that neither I or Progressive pay a single cent for anything, OEM parts must be used, and the rental has to be comparible to what I was driving. Progressive managed to get the other driver to pay for everything and meet my demands.
I recently had an accident with my W204, but it was my fault which I totally accept. It seemed like a minor bump, but unfortunately I hit a 70's Chrysler beater which was built like a tank. The Chrysler had no damage at all, but my front bumper had three distinct holes from the Chrysler's bumper stop and towing hitch. The headlights and grill was damaged and the hood had a kink.
I took my car to a shop operated by my MB dealership (the only dealer owned and operated shop in my state), as they have an excellent reputation and they repair to factory spec.
The damages came to $14,000 (about 3 weeks in the shop), which was $10,000 more than I thought as the damage was mainly cosmetic.
The headlights were $2,000 a piece, the AMG bumper was $1,000, my custom front end clear bra was $1,400, and the factory paint was obscenely expensive.
So I definitely feel for you and I hope your claim goes through smoothly.
#48
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2009 C300
Thanks for the kind words all. Their insurance company just cut a diminished value check and I'm glad to close this out and move on. Sadly, the check wasn't as much as I'd hoped for, but again - it's over/done with
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