Property can be replaced. Not people.
Storm damage - opinion needed
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
Likes: 9,826
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 522
From: Central Jersey
Should be relatively easy to repair though it will likely cost $25k.- $28k
All damaged body panels are easily removed and replaceable with the possible exception of the B pillar roll over Bill mentioned and the rocker panels which appear undamaged.
Frame/suspension should be just fine.
Remove damaged body panels and Glass
Paint all new and usable body panels off frame.
Mount and align new body panels and glass.
Buff and polish (removes orange peel)
better than new
All up to insurance company now. My experience is to never use body shop recommended by your insurance co. Do your due diligence and find a shop with extensive experience and knowledge working with corvettes and good references. Look at both repair facilities and shops specializing in Corvette restorations.Even if they won't take the repair they generally know all the players in the area and might point you in the right direction.
A lot of extra stress to take on in current times, but I'll bet you've been through worse at some point in your life.
Good luck
All damaged body panels are easily removed and replaceable with the possible exception of the B pillar roll over Bill mentioned and the rocker panels which appear undamaged.
Frame/suspension should be just fine.
Remove damaged body panels and Glass
Paint all new and usable body panels off frame.
Mount and align new body panels and glass.
Buff and polish (removes orange peel)
better than new
All up to insurance company now. My experience is to never use body shop recommended by your insurance co. Do your due diligence and find a shop with extensive experience and knowledge working with corvettes and good references. Look at both repair facilities and shops specializing in Corvette restorations.Even if they won't take the repair they generally know all the players in the area and might point you in the right direction.
A lot of extra stress to take on in current times, but I'll bet you've been through worse at some point in your life.
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
If it's not totaled I agree that you should be concentrating on the body shop that you want to fix it. But if it is totaled, it couldn't have happened at a better time economically. If totaled you are going to get top dollar for your car. If you were selling that car now before it was damaged, you'd have a hard time because of the health/economic crisis we find ourselves in. But insurance book values don't change that fast and surely not as fast as the economy is tanking. On the other side, dealers are trying to give away 2019 C7's. Top dollar for yours, bottom dollar for a new one. Buy low, sell high. But having said all that, I don't think it's totaled.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,255
Likes: 4,363
From: Chirper Island
If it's not totaled I agree that you should be concentrating on the body shop that you want to fix it. But if it is totaled, it couldn't have happened at a better time economically. If totaled you are going to get top dollar for your car. If you were selling that car now before it was damaged, you'd have a hard time because of the health/economic crisis we find ourselves in. But insurance book values don't change that fast and surely not as fast as the economy is tanking. On the other side, dealers are trying to give away 2019 C7's. Top dollar for yours, bottom dollar for a new one. Buy low, sell high. But having said all that, I don't think it's totaled.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 254
From: Woodinville, WA
Not necessarily. Most insurance companies consider their "replacement" value a calculation of various factors, so even if you are trying to get the same car they may try to just give you an acceptable value range (which sometimes is not enough if their calculation does not match the market)... whereas with the guaranteed programs they will purchase you the same car if it can be found, usually with more flexibility in cost. It's all about the details with these programs, pays to read the fine print.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
^^^^
"whereas with the guaranteed programs they will purchase you the same car if it can be found, usually with more flexibility in cost."
I'm not sure what planet you are living on but I've never heard of an insurance company taking the trouble to find the "same car" instead of just paying the value of the car and that finding a new one is your problem.
"whereas with the guaranteed programs they will purchase you the same car if it can be found, usually with more flexibility in cost."
I'm not sure what planet you are living on but I've never heard of an insurance company taking the trouble to find the "same car" instead of just paying the value of the car and that finding a new one is your problem.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 341
Likes: 272
From: South Florida
Sorry to hear about your car. I hope that all involved are OK. As far as the vehicle I would hope that they total the car as I can't imagine having it repaired and not experiencing problems down the road. I personally would prefer to start over. Good Luck and keep us posted.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 269
Likes: 131
From: Beaver Lake NW Arkansas
I’m not an insurance expert regarding damage claims. All I can say is, so sorry this happened to you. Having lived in Tornado Alley most of my life, I’ve seen the worst but have been fortunate to have nothing more than roof damage. Hoping the best for you!
Last edited by Vette E Boop; Apr 17, 2020 at 11:44 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 677
Likes: 414
From: Pensacola, FL
I assume most people here know that if they total your car, you only get the value of your car at the time of the damage. So if they do that, it's going to cost you ~$15,000 to get the same car new. If they are able to fix it for less than the totaled value, your out of pocket costs are zero. In any event, this is NOT your decision. It's the insurance companies decision.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 985
Likes: 761
From: Monticello, AR
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Update: Well the estimate came to $22,486 and my insurance has elected to have it repaired, a flat bed comes in the morning to take it to a shop about 100 miles away. I'm curious to see what it will be like when I get it back, twenty five cars or so over the years and I've never had one totaled or damaged this bad.
In case you were wondering, I have insurance through NCM, agreed upon value and zero deductible so I was covered either way.
Thanks to everyone for your input!
In case you were wondering, I have insurance through NCM, agreed upon value and zero deductible so I was covered either way.
Thanks to everyone for your input!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 884
Likes: 256
From: Atlanta, GA
Update: Well the estimate came to $22,486 and my insurance has elected to have it repaired, a flat bed comes in the morning to take it to a shop about 100 miles away. I'm curious to see what it will be like when I get it back, twenty five cars or so over the years and I've never had one totaled or damaged this bad.
In case you were wondering, I have insurance through NCM, agreed upon value and zero deductible so I was covered either way.
Thanks to everyone for your input!
In case you were wondering, I have insurance through NCM, agreed upon value and zero deductible so I was covered either way.
Thanks to everyone for your input!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 1,369
From: Mesa AZ
Update: Well the estimate came to $22,486 and my insurance has elected to have it repaired, a flat bed comes in the morning to take it to a shop about 100 miles away. I'm curious to see what it will be like when I get it back, twenty five cars or so over the years and I've never had one totaled or damaged this bad.
In case you were wondering, I have insurance through NCM, agreed upon value and zero deductible so I was covered either way.
Thanks to everyone for your input!
In case you were wondering, I have insurance through NCM, agreed upon value and zero deductible so I was covered either way.
Thanks to everyone for your input!
Last edited by SingleTrackMinded; Apr 23, 2020 at 11:01 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,461
Likes: 1,752
From: North Texas
Update: Well the estimate came to $22,486 and my insurance has elected to have it repaired, a flat bed comes in the morning to take it to a shop about 100 miles away. I'm curious to see what it will be like when I get it back, twenty five cars or so over the years and I've never had one totaled or damaged this bad.
In case you were wondering, I have insurance through NCM, agreed upon value and zero deductible so I was covered either way.
Thanks to everyone for your input!
In case you were wondering, I have insurance through NCM, agreed upon value and zero deductible so I was covered either way.
Thanks to everyone for your input!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 985
Likes: 761
From: Monticello, AR
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 10,461
Likes: 1,752
From: North Texas
Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 374
Likes: 141
From: Texas
Since the repairs will be extensive, check into a "Diminished Value" claim.
https://www.thebalance.com/diminishe...cident-2645571
Glad there were no reported injuries to your family.
JD
https://www.thebalance.com/diminishe...cident-2645571
Glad there were no reported injuries to your family.
JD
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 522
From: Central Jersey
In Post #43 I failed to deduct the 10% geographic cost premium.
No matter. Always enjoy a happy ending.