I was sitting in traffic and waiting for a light to change when some guy in a Toyota Tundra backed into me rather hard. He hit the right front hard but it did not seem to break the front quarter panel.

I need advice about a body shop (Tuscaloosa, Al area) and also am I entitled to ask for his insurance to pay me for depreciated value?

I figure this accident just lowered the value of my Vette several thousand dollars. It just went from a pristine low milage 2001 coupe with 32000 miles to a used 2001 Vette with a wreck in its Carfax record. He has very good insurance (Alfa) and they are wanting me to accept a check quickly I told them I do not want to accept anything until it is repared to my satisfaction and I have determined how much his mistake lowered the value of my Vette.

Any advice or thoughts on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill

 

You can ask for depreciated value, but it depends on the insurance company whether they want to help you. Im pretty sure they dont have to credit you that, otherwsie everyone that got hit could ask for this and they would lose alot more money.

As far as bodyshops go, I would strictly stay with a GM certified Bodyshop. You will find and get the best results going that way. They will take the necassary steps to make sure the paint matches perfectly and that everything gets replaced and reinstalled the right way.
I would also let what every shop you take it to know that you want brand new components and will not accept anything under factory look, or parts. There are some insurance companys that will not pay for new items, such as turn markers etc to save some money on the repair.

This happened to my fiancee's Cavalier, it was hit in the driver front fender. The turn marker needed to be replaced with the repair and the other parties insurance company didnt pay for a new fender or side marker. They paid for re manufactured fender and marker light. The marker light was replaced with a new one after the re manned one leaked. Make sure what ever insurance company they have that you will get new parts.

 

Here's a short story you may want to think about.

A year ago or so a friend of mine had his corvette damaged by the driver of a commercial vehicle. It was a flatbed truck carrying " junk" and a piece of metal and pieces on concrete flew off the back of the truck as it hit a large bump in the highway..........the piece of metal landed on the hood of the Corvette, gouging it and putting a large scratch on it. The other materials broke the windshield.


The insurance company adjusted it and as is the case with all insurance companies , only wanted to settle the claim as quickly and CHEAPLY as possible.
The car was repaired..........but the paint did not match.
My friend was not happy with this, nor would anyone else be , but the insurance company tried to play it off, as usual.

My friend would NOT settle the claim...........and continued to tell them she wanted her car back to the condition it was in before the accident.
As a result of persistence......and not doing what the insurance company wanted her to do...........the entire car was repainted.
Professionally repainted........very nice...........probably 4000.00 job if not more.
Hope this helps you.

 

Take lots of pics before repair to document the damage. That should help to satisfy the next buyer.

 

 

I suggest you send them a written statement of what you'll accept as a settlement. Don't sign anything until your satisfied. Good luck.

 

The insurance company only has to repair your vehicle to the condition it was in prior to the accident.

As far as any loss of value thru the fact the vehicle was involved in an accident, thats a completely different story and not something any insurance company would open themselves up to.

Reason being how do you quantify the loss caused ??

You have my sympathy

 

 

it looks like there is some good advice posted I just wanted to say good luck and hope it turns out okay.

 

Thanks for your responses and good advice. I will take lots of pics and keep you posted.

Bill