I wish it worked that way but it doesn't. The insurance company won't total a car unless the damage is greater than the value of the car.

Not only that, but they will only pay the value of the car - not what you have financed. So if you financed a vehicle and drove it off the lot - its allready worth less than you financed it for. stinky business I know but thats the deal unless you pay for a rider to cover the difference or buy supplemental coverage.

stinks to see the car like that. Mine is a black GT too - and some low life, pond scum eating, sorry sumfemale dog keyed (that's funny - female dog is NOT what I typed!) it but good yesterday so I'm off to the body shop tomorrow too.

Sorry low life POS....$%%#$#@$@$#

Earl

 

Dave, I'm really sorry to see that.
I'm sure if you ask around and look at some of the work from different body shops you can find one in your area that will fix her up real nice.

If you really have a problem there's a body shop down here in Cincy that specializes in Porsche's, BMW's, Mercedes,.....etc. Dave Orr's Auto Body

I've personally had some work done there and it was perfect and I do mean perfect. They also worked on my sister's car and it too was perfect. (Both our car's were the cheapest one's on their lot)

Good Luck, keep us informed.

 

Poor car. Man I feel for you. I would have cried on the scene. :cry:

 

I've been hit twice in the car I have now, Carfax doesn't show anything. One was a rear end and the other one was my sister backing into my car. I'm gonna sell it and try to rape whoever wants to buy it.

I have been in maybe 6 accidents in my life, all of them I was rear ended. I Can't even begin to tell you how paranoid I am at stop lights when I see a car flying towards me and stops right at my bumper. I should have sued for emotional damages.

That electronics place that sells the sequential turn signals sells a pulsing brake light kit. I'll be buying one of those for sure.

It's hard to tell from that pic but it looks like just your bumper is messed up. All they'll do is weld in a new bumper bar underneath if it's needed and slap a new bumper cover on. The repair I just had done about 6 months ago was about $800 for the same thing. I had it done by a certified honda body shop, only one in the area. Try to find a Ford certified body shop if they exist. Although if it's just the bumper cover that needs work, you can go anywhere for that. A factory certified place uses factory paints so they match good.

As far as the insurance goes, get into a body shop ASAP and get a written estimate. They will charge you the insurance rates, but usually a tiny bit higher. You report it it to the insurance company and they send an adjuster down to inspect the car. You get a check from the insurance in the mail with the adjuster's estimate. Show it to the body shop and if they agree to it make an appointment. If there's any discrepancies the body shop will haggle with the insurance company.

Also whatever you do, report it to the lady's insurance company not yours. That way you do not have to pay the deductable up front, the other person's insurance will pay for everything up front. If you contact your insurance company you will have to pay the deductable and wait for the other person's insurance to pay you back for it. Only go through your insurance if the other insurance company tried to screw you. That way your insurance company will deal with the problem.

Your body shop should have a hookup with a rental car agent. Call enterprise and they will pick you up at the body shop. All you need to tell the rental car company is the insurance company and the claim number and they will charge the insurance company. You might luck out with something nice. I had a GMC Envoy last time and a Dodge Ram Hemi before that. Enterprise is good, so is Budget.

Can you tell I've done this before?

 

OMG THE PAIN!! IM SORRY MAN. ull get thru it. i just hope for ur sake that the trunk will line up the right way

 

Dustin: "Can you tell I've done this before?"

Yes, and you're 100% right.

 

Dustin, thanks for the info, you are a wealth of information on this matter.
I did report this to her insurance company even before I left the scene.

I will ask my agent if they can recommend a body shop and get some quotes tomorrow.

 

hope you get your baby fixed soon

 

Screw the agent, they will just send you to a "preferred" body shop who does stuff cheap with non-Ford parts. Whoever does it, make sure they use Ford parts and paint. Don't bother shopping around because they will all charge the same insurance rate, there's a formula/guide that they all use. I recommend calling your dealer and asking them who the best Ford body shop in your area is. They might even offer to fix it. On a simple job like this, it shouldn't matter who does it. The only visual repair is the bumper cover which is just painted and clipped on the car. Is it just your bumper cover that is damaged? Is the trunk lid ok?

I edited my post with rental car info.

 

I am sorry also to hear ,as well someone here somewhere mentioned that once you accept the Ins check and after they do work and find someting they miss your on the hook for it . I will be going for replacement Insurance ,so if a baddy happenes full cost replacement.

I got hit at a red light ran the plate and the goon wasn't even insured glad it was a company vehicle I was in. you just never know.
don't be to quick to sign off on the claim.

 

sorry Dave :cry:

 

As I tell everyone in your situation, ask those you know who have the nicest rides where they get their bodywork done. Especially Porsche owners, if you know any. In my experience they are the pickiest of all about their cars.

I agree with Karpro--ask for diminished value. Maybe her insurance will settle with you without lawyers if they know you are serious. With almost everyone using CARFAX now, anyone you eventually sell or trade it to will most likely know it was in an accident.

Feel lucky that your car is black. Mine is Redfire and I'm guessing it would be a b#%*h for a paintshop to match perfectly.

 

Dave, I'm willing to bet she was talking on a cell phone. Hope they fix it for you quickly. BTW, tag your it.

 

Thankfully your OK, speedy recovery for your Mustang.

 

OMG that stinks. As some have already stated when it comes to repairs you have the final say as to who is going to repair it. When my car was keyed I brought 2 estimates in to the insurance company and I told them "this is the company and only company that is going to touch my car". You pay the insurance and when it is time to make a claim you decide where to bring it, just remember, since it is your choice if you are not happy with the results you can't blame the insurance company.

05GT, you can't really be serious!

 

Dustin's right.... make sure that they take measurements, put it up on a rack and laser align the unibody. The sheet metal behind the bumper is obviously crumpled, and even the slightest wrinkle can mess up the way everything drives, and wears.

here's my comment I made a bit ago on the same subject, and here's the thread so you can read it.... some good insight there.

"you poor bastard... I hat to say this, but $700 doesn't sound right for the total cost of repairs to me.... This car sits on a unibody, which means the rear quarters are one with the frame... if you got rear ended, there may be HUGE issues with how your rear axle aligns with the rest of the drive train. I'd be all for taking it to the ford dealer to make absolute sure that everything is to spec. Especially if the deck lid doesn't close... the tells me that the trunk opening's shape has been changed and bending that metal in may have pulled the structure together ever so slightly and will throw off the rest of your dimentions.. may be as little a factor as wierd tire wear in the rear to misalined drive shaft that chews through u-joints, wears out pinion seals, or whatever.. First of all, I'd be all for beatin' the urine out of the moron that hit you, and secondly, I'd be goin' to the dealer to have the work done.... get the aftermarket parts later, man.... IMO. How does insurance work in your state? If the other driver is at fault, is the tab paid by their insurance company? Or do you claim it on yours and your company goes after theirs if they choose?

By the way, glad you're not hurt brutha... shame about the car. "

and the thread...

 

DO NOT ask the insurance company what body shop to take it to. I took mine to a AAA certified shop and after 3 attempt to repair a $1200 fender-bender, I gave up. Body panels are slightly misaligned, but since it was just my commuter car, it doesn't really bother me. Also, when you pick up your car, go over it with a fine-tooth comb. Don't drive off the lot if it is not perfect... leave it there for another day while they fix it.

At least the person that hit you had insurance. I was hit last summer by an uninsured s.ob. (100% his fault). But I had to turn it over to my insurance and pay the deductible. I tried to sue the guy, but he is still in jail (he was arrested at the scene of my wreck for multiple warrants).

 

Another wronged by people gawking.

I know with State Farm (or at least my paticular agent) they just told me to find a shop that I want to get it repaired at and they'll cut a check. So I went to the best body shop in town to fix my car with the lock got punched.

 

omg sorry dude I think that lady who rear ended u should pay for everything herself

 

Sorry Dave that's a b****h :cry: