Rear Ended
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
Been there
Very similar rear hit to my 85 about 4 years past, but my rear cover was more torn up and I was pushed lightly into the car in front of me crazing the paint on the front bumper top. Adjuster figured $2450 to repaint top of front bumper and replace/paint rear cover plus some parts underneath. The $2450 included the cost of a new aftermarket rear cover, not a used one, as the adjuster and I were both concerned about a 30 year old salvage yard cover being cracked. Long story short, the "corvette repair specialist" charged me full price for a new cover but installed a $50 used cover with cracks around the side marker lights. When I found the cracks a week after getting the car back, I backtracked the paperwork he furnished verifying his purchase of a "new" cover and found the order had been cancelled and never shipped. Plus, he wrote on the receipt repaired per estimate. Told him I was going to furnish all of this info to the state attorney generals consumer fraud unit and I got all $2450 back. Be careful out there!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 9
From: Las Vegas NV
Oh dear! After my experience getting my front windshield replaced (the weather stripping still doesn't seal along the side windows), I would worry a bit about an aftermarket bumper cover fitting properly
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 9
From: Las Vegas NV
So I spoke with my insurance (State Farm), and they told me that - because the police did not file a report - if this lady continues to deny fault (she also has State Farm), they're just going to make us both pay from our own policies. I told her that was unacceptable, and I contacted a lawyer. Has anybody else ran into this situation?
I also contacted a body shop that quoted me a ballpark figure based on the photos of $2500 - $5500. But he also said that once he takes the bumper cover off and inspects the fiberglass, he expects that price to go much higher.
My car still has the original paint - and it's in excellent condition, with the exception of a few nicks and scratches. He wants to repaint half the car to blend the metal flake with the bumper. While on the one end, it would make the whole car look better (because there are scratches and nicks in the paint that would be gone with new paint), it's only original once. I'm almost considering asking the shop to just paint the bumper even if the metal flake doesn't match 100%, just to keep the paint original. What do y'all think?
I also contacted a body shop that quoted me a ballpark figure based on the photos of $2500 - $5500. But he also said that once he takes the bumper cover off and inspects the fiberglass, he expects that price to go much higher.
My car still has the original paint - and it's in excellent condition, with the exception of a few nicks and scratches. He wants to repaint half the car to blend the metal flake with the bumper. While on the one end, it would make the whole car look better (because there are scratches and nicks in the paint that would be gone with new paint), it's only original once. I'm almost considering asking the shop to just paint the bumper even if the metal flake doesn't match 100%, just to keep the paint original. What do y'all think?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 9
From: Las Vegas NV
Thanks for that info. I'm a little concerned about the bodyshop using an aftermarket bumper cover, because aftermarket stuff just never fits right. But I'd recon a used one would be worn out, warped or cracked - especially out here in the 118+ degree summer heat. I don't think anybody produces an aftermarket impact bar... I'll probably have to source me one from salvage.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 400
From: DFW TX
So I spoke with my insurance (State Farm), and they told me that - because the police did not file a report - if this lady continues to deny fault (she also has State Farm), they're just going to make us both pay from our own policies. I told her that was unacceptable, and I contacted a lawyer. Has anybody else ran into this situation?
Again, good luck with all of that.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 9
From: Las Vegas NV
Well I got a lawyer, and I'm fighting this all the way. It's unacceptable that State Farm would do that. Being that we both are State Farm policy holders, this is a conflict of interest for them. I'll be sure to update you on what happens, and I'll post pictures once she's repaired.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 9
From: Las Vegas NV
I Clark County, NV, the police only file a report if there is an injury. I’m lucky they showed up at all. Unfortunately I am injured - I just didn’t start hurting until the next day😔
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1,148
From: Vermilion OH
That's a shame. I'm a police officer here in Ohio and we file a report regardless of injury. Its a mandatory thing unless there is little to no damage. its best to cover all bases in case an injury does come about. There will be a dispatch record and call clearance screen with the officer's disposition of your crash if you insurance company needs it at the very least.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 9
From: Las Vegas NV
I think that was the case - the police didn't think there was much damage, and nobody was injured. For some reason, however, they did not cite her. I really don't understand that one. She was obviously driving too fast and not paying attention. There was a camera at the intersection that may have been able to see the accident take place, but the police told me the cameras aren't actually functional - they're just there for looks. What a waste of our tax dollars! Luckily my lawyer was able to get the officer's disposition for the insurance purposes. The police took a statement from each of us. I'm not so worried now - I have a lawyer on it, and I'm confident they'll get it sorted out. And most importantly, the body shop is going to take care of my car.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
Glad to see this got resolved for the OP. Always a worry whenever I take the Vette out. I live in CT where drivers are aggressive aholes and not a drive goes by where someone isn’t following so close that I can’t even see their whole car in my rear view. Doesn’t matter if I’m in the Vette or the pickup. Ive been seriously considering dash cams for my and the wife car. There’s a lot of options out there...and a lot of fake reviews too which makes picking one difficult.
