So, I bring my 2015 Stingray to the local Chevy dealer for an oil change and the Vette tech crashes my car in the parking lot.
Front fender is cracked in 2 places, bumper needs repainting, headlight broke. Anyway, do I have the right to make them replace my car since my investment is now compromised to say the least.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Do you have the right to MAKE them replace your car. NO! You do have the right to ASK whatever you want. Just don't expect them to give you a new car. If your state allows it, go after diminished value.

 

Is diminished value a law in some states?

 

and again why I do my own oil changes...good luck to you, meet with the general manager, no one else....

 

Some states allow it, some don't.

 

Diminished value isn't a law but some states insurance commissions recognize it and some don't. I found out NJ is a state that doesn't recognize it when my C6 was hit a few years back. This doesn't necessarily mean your insurance company won't do anything about it.

 

This is very unfortunate, but there is zero chance of getting them to give you a new car. Also, these cars aren't 'investments'.

 

Dealer service - last resort/

 

There is a lot of discussion on "diminished value" insurance claims. This type of claim with any insurance company in most cases is hard to collect.
It is a "subjective claim".

Since the accident occurred at the car dealership, I would seek to speak with the owner of the dealership if he plays an active role within the dealership management and day to day operations. If not the General Manager of the dealership, which I would suspect they have been alerted of the accident and damage created by their respective employee. In many cases, large dealerships may be owned by huge multi-dealership corporations like Group One Auto, AutoNation etc.

I would make sure that they repair the C7 to original standards nothing less. I would ask if the damage repair will be reported to accident sites like Carfax or AutoCheck. If they report the accident and repairs, the reports could very well hurt in the future value of a trade or private resale.

If that is the case, the claim for diminished value would probably be best to be worked out with the car dealership directly. I am sure they would have "risk management" insurance of some kind.

I am sure the dealership will resolve the repairs as they have no choice and are certainly liable for the repairs. The question that arises will other potential dealerships or buyers ever know about the situation that occurred, resulting in lower trade values or a lower private party sale.

I am sure your case is not an isolated situation, and the dealership will have a resolve to make the vehicle and yourself whole.

 

So sorry and unfortunate... I agree they should have to pay for their "Negligence".

Did you buy the car at this dealer?

I would seek legal advice and investigate the circumstance on how this happen to see if the tech guy can be sued (e.g. Dealer for negligence).

Assume you don't have a PDR and was in "Valet Mode" and caught it on tape?

I agree with the notion that purchasing a Corvette is an "Investment", not just a throw-away car!....

Keep us posted of your outcome please! Good luck!

 

Yeah, a Corvette is an investment, just like the other couple of hundred thousand C7s they're going to build....

OP: let the dealership fix your car, drive the thing and enjoy it.... at the end of the day they're all just cars - and that includes my Ferrari which actually _is_ an investment.

 

Good Luck, wonder what will happen to the tech that did it?

 

I am sure nothing will happen to him. He is regarded as one of the top Corvette techs in the country. I feel quite bad for him as I could see the disappointment on his face at time of accident.

I suppose if you are rich it is just another car and not an investment but I have 30 years of working and saving so I could buy MY dream car. I am sure your Italian machine is an investment to you, please do not pretend to know what my investments are to me.

 

Yeah, sue somebody, that'll fix everything.

It's a Chevrolet that's depreciating, not an investment. Get it fixed right and enjoy driving it.

 

Get it fixed then trade up for another new one.

 

Yes this sucks.. Get it fixed right, then find out how much less it is worth as a result of the accident. That will be the hard part. How to prove this. Perhaps take it to CarMax and get a quote. But I'm not sure how to show what you would've gotten with no accident. You could ask, but you need this in writing.

2 parts to a lawsuit, if it comes to that. Liability and damages. You must be made whole. The liability is easy- the deaership knows they are liable. Damages are harder. They will fix your car, but If you have a car that is fixed and not worth the same as it was when you first brought it to them, then you are not "whole".

They must compensate you for this. Diminished Value is real. It is not made up or fantasy. Its just difficult to find the right number.

 

Not all of us can afford a Ferrari, I wish I could. I understand wanting to get your vehicle fixed properly without the repairs being recorded in Carfax. These cars are not investments and they will depreciate, especially if they list an accident repair. You can always ask for a new car from the owner but you will probably not get one. They do not care if YOUR car depreciates , they have insurance for these kind of incidents. I have been hit twice, it was beyond my control. The car has been properly fix and looks better than new but it is not going to do me any good when someone checks the Carfax report. Your best route and concern is to have the dealer repair it without listing it in carfax if that's possible.
PS......Megamillions tonight $334 Million go play, I did.

 

Let them fix the car but DO NOT LET THEM put your VIN number on the invoice. The incident will not be reported to CarFax this way.

 

I feel bad for you bro.

If they are not a national chain, like Auto Nation, etc., ask to speak with the owner!

 

While all these suggestions are well meaning - your best bet is to call a lawyer in your town. Tell him what happened and ask for his advice as to how to proceed.