Hit a deer yesterday :(
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
Hit a deer yesterday :(
I was heading into town yesterday, and a deer ran out and hit the drivers side, it tore up the front side fender connecting into the front bumper, the pop up headlamp was damaged, in the engine bay it cracked some plastic, on the hood left a small hair line crack don't know if it's just the paint or the hood its self was damaged, drivers side door has a shatter effect crack, dont know between the two if it's just the paint or the fiberglass.
Called my insurance yesterday and filed a claim, this was my first accident the 16 years I have been driving never had a accident, and it just had to be my dream car, only had the car for 1 year and a half.
What should i expect during the repairing process, what should I look out for.
Called my insurance yesterday and filed a claim, this was my first accident the 16 years I have been driving never had a accident, and it just had to be my dream car, only had the car for 1 year and a half.
What should i expect during the repairing process, what should I look out for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 112
Also call several high end dealers such as Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes and ask them where they send their customers for body related work. They use top notch body shops and these body shops are very professional and their work is usually top notch. Then you can take your car to one of these and get the repairs done. Your insurance will try to send you to one of their shops but you do not have to do that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 847
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Sorry to hear about your incident. I've seen first hand what they can do to metal bodies, The 'glas never stood a chance. They come out of nowhere don't they....
Good luck.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
I was heading into town yesterday, and a deer ran out and hit the drivers side, it tore up the front side fender connecting into the front bumper, the pop up headlamp was damaged, in the engine bay it cracked some plastic, on the hood left a small hair line crack don't know if it's just the paint or the hood its self was damaged, drivers side door has a shatter effect crack, dont know between the two if it's just the paint or the fiberglass.
Called my insurance yesterday and filed a claim, this was my first accident the 16 years I have been driving never had a accident, and it just had to be my dream car, only had the car for 1 year and a half.
What should i expect during the repairing process, what should I look out for.
Called my insurance yesterday and filed a claim, this was my first accident the 16 years I have been driving never had a accident, and it just had to be my dream car, only had the car for 1 year and a half.
What should i expect during the repairing process, what should I look out for.
with all of the suggestions given by members above. Sorry it happened to you. I lived in the Jersey/NY metro area and surrounding suburbs for 30+ years where whitetail deer are literally everywhere and had a few absolutely unavoidable collisions with them. As cunning as they can be in the woods they have absolutely zero sense when it comes to roads and vehicles. Good luck with your repair and best wishes!
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Be careful they don't use junkyard parts. It seems insurance company always wants to save buck, and used is cheaper then OEM new.
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Sorry to hear about your accident - at least you are OK. Good luck dealing with the insurance company and in getting the car repaired.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
Thanks everyone for the advice, this just really stinks, it's just anything can happen in a moment. Hopefully my Vette can go through a speedy recovery so I can drive it in the fall months.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Edmonton AB
OP, I have my Autobody ticket and have repaired a lot of cars with OEM and aftermarket parts.
I would rather have used OEM parts (if they can't get new) over brand new aftermarket parts. If it were my car I would insist on new or OEM used and not budge on that at all.
Last edited by deejbee; Sep 4, 2016 at 10:17 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
Can you still get new OEM body panels?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
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From: Calabash, NC
From recent experience:
1. Don't get adversarial with the insurance adjuster - he is your link to full compensation and the approval to replace rather than repair. You can question their call but keep it on an even keel.
2. Not sure what color you have - but if you have one of the metallics make sure the body shop understands the 3-part paint and the number of hours required to get the tinting right.
3. Make sure you get your local agent involved (they won't want to be involved as all they do is collect the money) and working on your side. Working with only the insurance help desk results in cookie cutter responses - not the level of concern that Vette owners have for their own vehicles.
Good luck!
1. Don't get adversarial with the insurance adjuster - he is your link to full compensation and the approval to replace rather than repair. You can question their call but keep it on an even keel.
2. Not sure what color you have - but if you have one of the metallics make sure the body shop understands the 3-part paint and the number of hours required to get the tinting right.
3. Make sure you get your local agent involved (they won't want to be involved as all they do is collect the money) and working on your side. Working with only the insurance help desk results in cookie cutter responses - not the level of concern that Vette owners have for their own vehicles.
Good luck!