Hey guys,

I was attending a church meeting tonight when there was a knock on the door and a woman said that she had backed into my car in the parking lot. She backed a Chevy Silverado's back bumper into the front bumper of my car (sorry, no pics just yet). It hit in-between the plate and the driver's side headlight and punched a hole through the bumper. The fender and headlight were also driven backward rendering the car un-drivable, as the inner plastic of the wheel well was touching the tire.

Being that it was only 10 feet or so and that she claims that she wasn't going very fast, I am resonably certain (from inspecting the damage) that is probably purely cosmetic. The car started up and sounded fine when the tow truck guy moved it forward to line it up with his truck.

I am just concerned about 3 things.

1) I had it towed to the Mazda dealership here in town because I have always had a good working relationship with them. They also have a body shop and I figured that would be the best place to take it. Should I consider taking it to a different body shop though? Does anybody have any experience with Heritage Mazda in Peoria, IL when it comes to body repair work?

2) Do I need to be present when the guy from her insurance company comes out to inpsect the car tomorrow? Is he going to try and save her insurance company money by under estimating the damage to the car? I am very concerned that there might be damage to the aluminum hood and that it won't align properly when all this is said and done. Am I freaking out about what they are going to be willing to pay for?

3) Now that my car has been in an accident, do I need to be concerned about what value was lost now that it will have a carfax report associated with it? Is this something that I can settle with the insurance company when they discuss the situation with me? Should I call my insurance agent and have him try and discuss this with them?

Thanks for any suggestions you guys might have. You all have been terrific at helping me in the past and I appreciate any advice you can give. I am still a little unnerved by the whole thing so if there is anything that I should be thinking of or at least aware of please feel free to share.

Thanks again!
Tim

 

Tim

(1) I'd do some research and go to a shop with a great rep. Its your choice to pick the place you want to send your ride. Think it though don't settle for what the Ins company/ or mazda says-- go with your gut feeling

(2) If it were my car I'd be there to hear what the appraiser thinks. They will give you the total right there (which is just an estimate) don't worry if a body shop says it will cost more then the estimate. The estimate will be adjusted. But I'd be there to hear what they have to say.

(3) LoL the resale value on your car are crap anyway. It wasn't a major accident- just minor body work. Don't harp on it

 

/\ yeah if it wasn't a total loss or a near total loss then don't worry about it. The depreciation on these cars are terrible anyway.