Hi Everyone!
I am hoping you guys can give me some guidance and help me out.

I work for a general contractor and one of our clients drove over the front end of my 1998 Vert. My boss/roommate came running in the office and said, "Don't be upset, but So and So just hit your car. Do not be upset or angry with the client because we need her business." Needless to say, I kept my emotions in check as I went to survey the damage. At first glance, the damage appeared minimal...especially to those that don't own a Corvette and "appreciate" the car's lightweight body construction. A huge scuff mark and I could tell the paint was cracked. It looked as if the front bumper took the majority of the impact and flexed under the strain. But I knew deep down inside it was going to be worse than just painting the bumper.The client gave me her insurance agent's card and said she was sorry, she understood how much my car meant to me (ha!) and she would pay to have it fixed. We didn't file a police report.

So now my dilemna was, do I file a claim with her insurance and get a ding on my car fax or do I let her pay cash. Having her pay the cash seemed the way to go. But I also thought that it would be impossible to match the 10+ y.o. paint and that I would have to cough up the difference if i wanted it done right. So I waited. My boss told me to wait and not make a fuss until after her house was completed. So I waited some more. It's now been 2 years and the paint is flaking off the car.

I want my car fixed so last Friday I took it to 3 shops that specialize in Corvettes. The damage is worse thatn I ever thought and I just discovered that my paint is not the original paint. So, the car will have to be completely repainted because they will never be able to match it. Yay for me, except preliminary estimates are between 8K and 12K. Obviously I will haev to make the insurance claim. Do I stand a chance getting this claim paid?

 

You waited 2 years? Good luck with that!

 

WTF!

 

I would make your boss fix the car since he held you back. The insurance company just might laugh in your face now.

 

I see several potential mistakes on your part:

1. You did not file any report with the police.
2. Did you get anything in writing from the client that she was responsible and would cover any damages? Would have done this at the time it happened.
3. You waited two years to look at getting the car fixed.

Unless your boss is going to back you up on this one and vouch for you that the accident occurred, you may have a difficult time getting her insurance company to pay up after two years. I hope that is not true.

If she's still willing to pay the damages, get the estimates and have her sign an agreement that she will cover the costs (plus any unforeseen damages) in cash or through her insurance. If you are worried about the accident being reported to CarFax, then obviously the best way to handle this would be a cash transaction.

Good luck on this one. I personally would not have waited this long to take care of this.

 

So you were hesitant to get it fixed properly because of a "ding on carfax". See why it's hard to trust carfax, if you wanted to hide this? If it really happened, it SHOULD show up on carfax.

 

Your going go be lucky if the insurance company even talks to you after two years to make a claim.

 

A few things, one ... there is no statute of limitations i am aware of for filing an insurance claim, I have seen many claims filed over a year after they happened. You do have a obligation to minimize any extra damage caused after the accident but as a result of it. for example if the metal panels of the car are now rusted through because you waited so long then that could be considered negligence and not covered.

second ... with it being that long ago you will have to hope she does not say that she never hit your car, because if it comes down to your word vs hers after 2 years then good luck.

third ... the insurance company will never pay to repaint your whole car .... ever. Its not their problem it had an aftermarket paint job on it, they will only paint panels damaged or if their not bumpers then adjacent panels also. I can look at 100 vettes and all of them will have color differences between the bumpers and the other panels, its just the way the paint takes to the different materials they will always have differences in color even right off the assembly line.

And last ... does she even still have the same insurance? if she doesnt it may be even more difficult to get them to pay.


Good luck, the best thing to do is not waste more time and call in a claim to the insurance company asap.

 

I appreciate everyone's honesty, but the WTF part is a bit harsh. I guess I am one of the few people who tries to take the high road and take people at their word.

I do have witnesses...fellow employees and a boss who I would subpeona if I had to.

No ploice report was filed because it happened on private property and the P.D. do nottake reports that occurred on private property. They just stand by while you exchange information.

 

File the claim...suffer the consequences of letting things slide by. Good Luck!



I would say post what happens in the end...but that might take a couple of years

 

I backed into my own Vette last weekend, and am still feeling like the stupidest guy in the world. It's going to take a new fender and bumper cover. At the body shop they said they would have to do some adjusting for color matching. He said that even with stock GM colors, there is variation, and color change over time. He said a good body shop can adjust the color to match what's there. I think you just have to find someone willing to take the time to do it.

The estimate to do everything on my Vette is $2000. I know some worry a lot about CARFAX, but i'm not. Someday when and if i ever sell my C5, i will gladly tell the next owner anyway. It's not like the car was in a major accident that might effect the integrity of the car.

 

It being a 98 vette with that much damage they would total the car man. If damage is 70% will total it. Then on your other question both of you could get into trouble for not reporting the wreck. For sure get up with her ins co but even if you took her to court and she said she did the damage the court would give you something in $$ for sure. Robert

 

having that paperwork sure would have helped....

anytime someone says "don't file a report or insurance claim" you can be sure you are going to get screwed....

lessons learned the hard way....

 

Exactly, when i was looking for a C5 i was more worried and more picky when I went to look at one with a clean carfax, if its not on the carfax then it was done out of pocket and its easy to cut corners and have a poor repair, on carfax you can see the total repair cost which will give you an idea of the severity and give you a little piece of mind that it was fixed under insurance so it is more likely to be repaired properly than out of pocket in Mexico.

 

You waited 2 years? Dude you don't have a leg to stand on, It should of been taken care of in the first week or so.

Why on earth would you wait 2 years? I really need to know, Carfax or not, I would have had mine fixed right away.
Mr.Bill

 

Personally, the only issue I have with this whole scenario is your boss. The guy is an absolute jerk. He totally put his interests ahead of yours and with no consideration of how that would affect you.....

I'd contact her her first, and see if she's wiling to pay the bill. If not, then I'd immediately file the insurance claim. If they refuse, I would go to your boss and tell him that his direction you waited and now can't get paid...... he should pay.

As far as the paint goes, I was under the impression that a quality shop can do a pretty good job of paint matching these days......

Good luck with the repairs......

 

I thought I'd heard them all but this take the cake..

WOW

 

 

I see front fascias at car shows ALL the time, I found 1 my color as a spare. You should be able to find a black one easy enough. Think I paid $200

 

Then there's this (bolded)...

O, and with your screen name - - PICS?
(sorry, couldn't resist)

One other pics request - - the house or job that took 2 years....