i don't even really want to be posting this cuz i'm so pissed/upset. i hit a patch of black ice about TWO blocks from my house, went sideways and hit a tree. it basically ripped off my bumper, cracking it through the middle, the hood is dented and curled in the middle. the radiator looks like it's pushed in a little. anyway aside from that suckage, the only ironic thing is that i was just about to buy a MS bumper and a CF hood. i've never been in an accident before and i was wondering if anyone could give me their best guess as to how much the insurance will help me out with those three parts (i have a 1k deductable, i believe i have commercial fleet insurance).


ps: i'm SO pissed about this, there was soft soft snow EVERYWHERE i hit a tree no bigger than 8 inches wide, in a stretch of hundreds of feet of snow.

pps: are OEM parts generally more expensive than MS parts? that might sound dumb, but it never hurts to be optimistic.

 

That sucks. =(

MS are more expensive - Look on the bright side, w/ the insurance help you'll be getting MS stuff. =)

 

Yes, insurance will help you, that is why they are there. The only bad part, is that you have to pay your own deductable, which you said is $1000. As far as MS parts, I would say they are just as expensive as OE parts.

 

Your insurance company will pay you whatever it takes to have the damage fixed at the shop of your choice - subject to the limits of your policy. They can specify aftermarket or used replacement parts.

A common procedure is for the insurance company adjuster to work with your shop to figure the damage, then pay them directly. You pay the shop the deductable when you pick your car up. If you do any upgrades, the extra is between you and the shop. For example, my wife's car was run into and the insurance company wanted to specify an aftermarket fender. I talked them into allowing OEM, but if I had not I just would have paid the shop the difference.

You can just take a check for what the adjuster figures and you're on your own. You may be in a bind if there's hidden damage the adjuster did not see. My wife's car had hidden damage, but with the shop and adjuster working with each other that got covered without any hassle for me.

If you just take a check, make sure your insurance company knows that you've had it fixed.

I suggest finding a good body shop, let them work with your insurance company on the damage, then have them upgrade the replacement parts.

Ken

 

I think some of what you said depends on the insurance company or state you live in also. Because I think because he was the only one in the accident and noone was really at fault, I believe the insurance company will give him a choice as to which body shop he can go to.

 

Eeh, sorry to read about this. Glad you're okay. Like everyone else said, and will agree, MS parts are about as much OEM parts. When my car was hit in the parking lot (i was in class), I was extremely nervous about the repainting of it. I didn't know if they were gonna match the Yellow or not. When I showed up (to the bodyshp), DAMN, you can't even tell it was hit. It was hit by an explorer with a brushguard! At the scene, I was thinking to myself, "hm, MS kit all around? :rolleyes " but nah.

Regardless, glad you're okay. Hope you get what you want parts wise.

-Cody

p.s. another reason I didn't think it would look alrite was because the body shop was a really small one, but it worked out pretty well.

 

That sucks... $1k deductible? That sucks too.

 

Sorry for yuou loss but glad to see that you're putting a positive spin on things!
MS parts are a lot of money but there are alternatives. Shop around a bit.

 

Sorry to hear bout the crash What color was the car?

 

thanks for the replies, it was/is galaxy grey. as long as there's no motor or suspension damage i don't mind the crash too much. but it just happened last night so i don't know yet.

i had a camry a while back and someone hit it in the parking lot and actually left a note with their number. i had a huge dent in my door that wasnt from her. but she thought it was and so did the adjuster. they cut me a 2000 dollar check for a door replacement. then he explicitly explained to me that i didn't actually need to replace the door, i could just pocket the money. lol. i hope the adjuster is that nice this time.

i'm going to take pictures, it's pretty ugly

 

MS parts are higher than the stock OEM parts. Your insurance rates will go up most likely too.

Were you on stock tires, replacements (winter/summer/all season)?

 

1K deduct ? damn, the damage you've mentioned gonna cost you WAY over 1K.

 

You always get to pick the body shop. These days insurance companies are just not allowed to tell you where to go.

Now, if you pick a custom coachwork shop that does work way beyond ordinary standards, the insurance company may never agree to the cost. But they can't direct you to go somewhere else.

His insurance company will count the accident against him.

Ken

 

Curious, did you have snow tires on?
I find even with snows plus the DSC, sometimes once the back end starts sliding there's very little can be done - just wait until it grinds to a halt, preferably in the middle of the road, rather than against a tree.