On June 8th I was hit by a 17 year old trying to cross rush hour traffic across three lanes, a very very bad judgement call on his part.

Today, after over two months and over $30k in repairs, I will be picking up my car. The local Chevy dealer did a great job of repairs and keeping me in the loop regarding work being performed etc, a great learning experience for me. Both front frame rails were sheared off where they are intended to do so to prevent further damage back into the engine compartment. Those rails are segmented to facilitate repairs. The frame rails are actually not welded in place. Instead they are connected via precision holes and bolts to assure alignment and glue is used circumferentially at those joints for structural integrity, minimal deflection, etc. They had to remove the forward frame rail segments and even the passenger floor pans (also glued) to get access to the back side of the frame rail connection points. They heat up the frame rails and floor pans to break the glue, then connect new parts and glue, etc.

The kids insurance company, USAA, accepted fault in the accident and covered all the repairs directly with the dealer, I didn't have to get in the middle of payments, etc.

Because they accepted fault, I will be submitting two additional claims, one for pain and suffering which covers medical costs plus a multiplier but that will be small given my injuries were relatively minor. The second claim will be for diminished value and I'm told that will be somewhere between 6-8% of the value of the car. Since the 2015 C7 is only 6 months old and has only 2000 miles, I'm told I will get the maximum allowable for that diminished claim. In order to assure I get what's fair I have obtained estimates from two dealers and Carmax showing the lower trade-in value resulting from the significant damage resulting from the accident (trade-in estimates compared to Kelly Blue Book establishes that amount).

If my insurance company was covering the accident I would not be able to do either of the two above mentioned claims.

USAA is very good about these things so I'm thankful for that, not every insurance company will be so accommodating and easy to work with.

My intent is to immediately trade the car in once I get $$ from the insurance company, then order a new 2016 - the diminished value claim should come close to making the entire transaction a wash to me with little out of pocket $$ I will have to kick in to get the 2016 based on discussions I've had with my long time favorite sales person. I just wouldn't ever look at the car the same if I kept it, and when I go to sell it I will surely suffer financially so for me this is how I plan to deal with this unfortunate experience.

Hope that helps, good luck to you going forward

 

Al, just so you know regarding trading up to a Z06 (if that is your goal), there are dealers whom are offering discounts on ORDERED Z06s, not just on in stock units.

 

Thank you for relaying your experience. I guess I'll do the same. Best of luck.

 

Yes thank u do u have a list of them.

 

Thank you for all your good advice and help. All of your suggestions and information aided me to make my decision.
1. I am going to repair the car at a Best Chevrolet. I have faith in their ability to straighten out the frame and repair the "bucket" to factory specs.
2. The insurance company will not total.
3. I plan on suing the other person's insurance company for the diminished value of my car.
4. I am going to trade the car in for a duplicate model as it just won't feel right to me even though I know it will be just fine.

Thanks to everyone for your help and yes this definitely hurts.

 

All the best and hope you can get the new one at no cost to you.

 

Thank you but I am finding very little interest in my car from dealers. I can expect a minimum $10K swap.

 

FYI, I got my car back after 3 months of repairs.

I have now begun the process of submitting a claim to the party at fault's insurance company for "diminished value"

To support that I asked the dealer to give me a written estimate of trade in, and I did the same with Carmax.

Both pulled the cars vin number up and two things triggered what they say is a killer to their ability to sell the vehicle, which means they will have to take it to auction:
1) airbag deployed, and
2) vehicle disabled

They both took about $20K off the normal trade in value.

I am still waiting to see how much the insurance company will compensate me for diminished value but hope having documented the real world impact I'm seeing it will have a positive outcome, we'll see but I'm preparing for the worst in hopes of the best. There's what should happen given the other party was at fault and then there is the real world. Wish me luck and I wish you luck Corvette02035

 

Not doubting what they told you but:

They both took about $20K off the normal trade in value.

is crazy.

 

Best attitude.......is to prepare for the worst.

Hire a lawyer who is willing to write some legal language letters to the other insurance carrier. Seriously doubt any insurance company will hand over a check to you for $20,000. Hopefully they will, but doubtful.

 

ditto

 

I understand diminished value claims are only pursued when someone else is at fault? Shouldn't you be able to file against your own company even if you are at fault?

 

This thread has proved very interesting to me. I'd like to share 2 experiences my family has faced related to Diminished Value.

Our daughter bought a used G6 years ago and ended up with a clear coat issue with the paint. Found out the car had been repainted with a cheap clear coat, so she decided to trade up rather than have it repainted. In buying a new Cruze and trading in the G6, the dealer ran the CarFax only to find out the car had been totaled in a accident. Something that didn't show up in the report (not CarFax) when she bought the car. Trade in value dropped from $6k to $3k. Contacted the G6 dealer, but got nothing (long story).

We had bought a new Malibu and a month later it received a ding (very small dent in the wheel well lip) on the LF fender in a parking lot. Whoever did it left w/o telling us. The fender was replaced and that was paid for my our insurance company. A few years later, when we went to trade on a new vehicle, one dealer said the car had been wrecked according to CarFax and reduced the trade in value. Another dealer found that on the CarFax, too, but accepted our documentation of the very minor damage and gave us the regular trade in price.

What we have learned from all this is the issue of diminished value after any accident. I did not know that there may now be compensation for that. Something to consider with ANY accident.

 

I tried on my 2008 when rear ended was treated like a joke to Progressive at the time that was the guys insurance that hit me ...I was told that it written to vague and unless you want to take them to court ...best of luck

 

I got $5000 from The Hartford for DV on my C6. Damage was about $6000. You got to fight for it! Its a well kept secret with insurance companies. Don't take no for an answer!!

 

I'm told that it is only available to the injured party and paid by the insurance company of those at fault - no other path possible through my own insurance company as I was not at fault.

I've also been told by an adjuster that he regular sees 6+% of value paid out for these diminished value claims, caveated by saying when working with good insurance companies, and like C7-Vette says, you have to fight for it, and be lucky enough to be dealing with a decent insurance company.

 

hi there,
Looks like your the guy.
Do you happen to have the same type information but on a 2016 c7????
Any help and look at my thread would be helpful. ahr691

 

Sorry, have no info for the C7. As far as repairing the side frame, where the aluminum C6 Z06 had a one piece hydroformed aluminum tube that had to be purchased as the full length piece and then cut and welded replace a damaged frame section, the C7 had 8 parts that are welded together. Most of those welds are MIG welds versus the spot and laser welds that are are also used.
Below are a twopics I took at Laguna Seca in 2013 on a frame being displayed. Should be possible to remove these welds and and weld in new sections. However just what parts are offed for sale would have to be determined.


A good example of what should be repairable is the front and rear perimeter frame sections designed to crush in a crash that are welded to the cast sections that hold the suspension arms.


There are some resistance welds that are unique to GM, who developed a patented electrode that produces the concentric rings seen on these three welds. These would have to be cut out and a MIG plug weld used if those sections are available for purchase.

 

Thanks for those pictures they will come handy.
Can you tell me anything about or show pictures of the tub in a perfect state and a damaged one. And finally, how bad does the tub need to be in where it's job of holding the mid section to the rear section is compromised. Do you know I can find a expert down here in the south Florida area, maybe someone in the forum.

 

I have no direct information. However I recall there was a post about the tub and some comments about installation. As I recall it comes in one large piece and attaches with adhesive.

I did save a few pics from that post that was about a year ago if I recall correctly. Posting those below. They may be of help.

Sorry have no contacts, my tech expertise is welding not collision repair. In that regard GM requires the use of a special MIG process, called Pulsed MIG Welding and not every body shop would invest in this expensive welder or the training to use it. There should be a way to find out who is certificated to repair a C7 frame. I'd start by asking a large dealer.