All--my gorgeous silver 2008 Corvette (about a year and a half old and about 14,000 miles) was in a wreck last week. A woman made a left turn right in front of me while I was traveling down the road doing between 35-40 mph. When I first saw her starting to turn I laid on the horn and gave all the brakes I had--but she just kept coming. My Steering Wheel airbag went off and that along with my seatbelt prevented me from any injury other than a scraped knee and a stiff back and neck for a few days.

Anyway--I am working on the claim through her insurance company (she was issued a citation as I had the right of way). The damage appears to be about $21k plus whatever diminished/loss of value I would have in a trade-in situation. And the damage is located in the front end of the car. I think the radiator prevented too much engine damage but I don't know details yet. The Chevy Dealer's collision shop I believe will be doing the work (assuming her insurance company approves which I think they will as they are on the approved list)--and they guarantee their work for the life of the car as long as I am the driver. Is there anything else I should look out for? I am so concerned that my car will never be the same. My Father says I should get it fixed, trade it in, and buy a new one. But a year and a half later I really don't want to put the $ in to do that.

Thanks in advance for your input,

Dave

 

$ 21,000 worth of damage w/ airbag deployment is very serious. If it was my car i would not want it fixed. If it was fixed anyway, i wouldnt feel right about it either. They would have to pay a pretty substantial diminished value amount.

 

Work a deal with the dealership on repair/trade in

 

Can you say "New Grand Sport"?

Twenty-one G's is a pretty sizable repair.

 

 

plus 1

 

Hi All
I had a very similar wreck in my 1972 convertible EXCEPT the other
driver had NO!! @**&#@ insurance or drivers license: So i am
dealing with my insurance co. Lucky i have very good coverage
with a collector company. Needless to say it is VERY EXPENSIVE to
put it back together with all the right parts, pressed molded fiber glass
and so forth. This is a NCRS type car. The Truth is the car can be as good as it was. BUT a key factor is who fixes the car.
You need a shop that works for you NOT the interest of the insurance co. You need a shop that comes HIGHLY recommended with examples of there work.
My brother and my i have had several minor repairs done on some
Very difficult colors to match Mag Red , Daytona Sunset Orange
and Pewter all with very near perfect color match. Some shops simply
say that is the best they can do. NOT good enough Be-for you think you will force then to paint the whole car forget it will not happen without a Cort fight. They are aloud to blend the repair into the rest of the body. UNLESS they can not match the car then you might force them to paint the whole car. Also do not think they will total the car it takes 70% of book value on repairs be-for they think of total loss. They use book value Kelley / NADA ect.
For example 2008 Corvette Coupe 14k mi in top shape $41K x 70% = a little under $29k thats is a lot of repair work.
None of the above is meant to give you grief or pain It is to make you realize you have options. Always check what they are be-for you act and make DAM !!! sure you know all about the repair shop be for you let them touch your car.
I am very luckily i have a very good friend that owner's a very high quality
body shop and a another friend who owns a highly respected restoration shop that is fixing my car.
Take your time find out your options. Check with the local Vette Clubs
see who works on there cars. The time you spend on the front will save you much grief on the back side
Good Luck and be very thankful you were not seriously hurt
Michael

 

I thought airbag deployment shows up on Carfax. Will no doubt affect resale value.

 

Get rid of it.

 

I would be looking for a new Vette if it was me

 

Try to get the insurance to total if possible.I am former shop owner and will say that insurance will try to get CHEAPEST shop to do repair.Forget thier "approved" list,which are shops that agree to insurance terms,not in your interest.The crash will be on Carfax, and diminished value will be your loss on resale.If it has to be repaired, get the shop of your choice, after you research for the best.

 

If you have an attorney friend, it might not hurt to have him send a letter to the INS co and go for a total loss. Are you sure that you neck is OK. A brand new vette might help you feel better.

 

I would listen to your Father in this case.

 

Not to upset you - but the car will NOT ever be the same again. There will be something that just won't be right. The most positive thing is that you are OK - I'd press hard to turn this into a new vehicle.

 

One thing I will say regarding getting her insurance to pay....I was in a very similar situtaion about 15 years ago. I hit someone who made an illegal left turn from the right lane directly in front of me. A cop saw the whole thing and issued the other driver a ticket on the spot. My insurance advised I have the other insurance company pay for the repair since it was an open and shut case. My car sat for 8 weeks while I fought with the other insurance company. In the end I had my insurnace fix the car and then they went after the other company. I finally got my deductible back and my car fixed but it added 8-10 weeks to my ordeal and I'll never do that again.

My advice is make your company fix your car and let them worry about going after the other company. That is why we pay car insurance. Your company will say go after the other company because it saves your insurance company work. Unless you get really lucky the other insurance will drag it out as long as they can most times.

On another note....The damage to my car was over 15K and despite what everyone said my car drove and acted as it did before the accident. I kept that car for another 5 years and never gave me any accident related trouble. It's all about finding the right shop to perform the repair IMHO.

Good luck!

 

[QUOTE=rws.1;1570925834]Work a deal with the dealership on repair/trade in[/QUOTE


LJ

 

Try and get rid of it--I agree with all of the above

 

I appreciate all of the advice--and will take any more you all have. I am leaning more on a new '09 or '10 model. It all depends on how this thing shakes out. My neck and upper back are still a bit stiff so I am being safe and getting myself checked out this week. I am very thankful I was not seriously injured--it is just so frustrating to have this happen.

Thanks again all,

Dave

 

30 years ago I had an accident in an RX7 and was told the Mazda dealer was not on their list. They had me take it to the local Cadillac dealer for repairs. 4.5 months later they finally got it fixed, but did a horrible job. I'll never again fall for that "not our approved list" crap. I don't believe that is their call to make (no, I'm not an attorney - so I don't claim to know to the letter of the law if I'm right or not).

You'll also find that "diminished value" is a tough one to collect. As much as I hate to offer this advice, I'd have an attorney on your speed dialer in case the insurance company doesn't see things your way. And I'm not one of those who automatically thinks we should lawyer up everytime something happens.

Good luck.

 

I won't even waste any time with the opposing insurance company anymore. I have my insurance company handle it. At most all it's going to cost me is my deductible and I'll get that back IF/when the insurance settles.

The other company is going to do nothing but jerk you around, That's what insurance companies do. They want to pay the least amount possible. Believe me I have had my share and there is no love loss on the insurance company.

Diminished value is getting a little easier to get especially if it's the other company. In this day and age IMO it's best to lawyer up at the beginning just to level the playing field. It doesn't mean you have to use him but with let the opposing team know you mean business.

And by team I mean this is a game and the best player wins. Have many times have you heard people say how they got screwed by the insurance company. It's a needless situation.

BTW talk with the body shop. Usually there's more than enough fluff in the estimate/repair bill to absorb up to a 500.00 deductible. Try it, worst they can say is no.