Does this Estimate sound right?

[platinumike]

Been through hell with this Woman who merged into me(She's come into my work and told my co-workers that its my fault) even lied to her own insurance company and said I was ticketed at the scene for driving wrecklessly. When in fact it was her that was at fault and ticketed. Had to fax in official police reports to get this thing opened back up and here's the estimate the man printed up( their insurance estimator resides at a dealership):

Car: 2005 Hyundai Elantra
1. OEM(replaced) Cover, Front bumper
-Refinish(paint im assuming)
2. Repair Headlamp & light
3. OEM(replaced) Front fender
4. OEM hubcap
5. Repair front door
-Refinish-outer right
-Refinish Side right
6. R&I assembly(what does this mean?) Front door side right
7. Refinish Mirror
8. Front alignment

-Total including labor=$1,286. I typed that estimate dang near verbatim as I have here. What im concerned about is if the price sounds about right(I wish i could upload pics but my bro has my camera) Im assuming this place is going to send me a check for that ammount and I must find a repair place that meets that price? what if i go somewhere and they estimate it at $1,800. How does this work? what would you guys reccomend?

 

[xanis]

I'm not an expert on this, but I think that wherever you take it to has to match the claim price. I'm probably wrong, but it seems logical.

 

[Scarpozzi]

What you do is take the estimate to the dealership. They'll keep in touch with you and the insurance company. If anything goes up, they'll contact the insurance office first to make sure the changes are covered. Just don't sign anything unless you know what it is.... They may try to get you to sign that you'll pay the difference if the insurance company won't authorize any more money...

 

[mrchan]

If you think the quote is low, take it to a couple shops, get a few quotes and send them to her insurance company.

 

[Yossarian]

that estimate sounds way low.

 

[DaWhim]

sue her for slander!!!

 

[jaedaliu]

that sounds way low. I rear ended someone at low speeds, cops didn't even see any damage, but it was over $1k in repairs.

typical method is that your insurance company appraises the damage and cuts you a check. You take the car wherever you want to fix it. If you go through their repair facilities, they'll pay the other company directly. You never have to get the car fixed. (or something like that)

 

[platinumike]

Ya I had a big feeling it is too low. I just scheduled an appt. for an Estimate with a place i know pretty well. When I do get the estimate and send it in(if its higher price) what will follow? Do we come to an agreement between prices?

 

[woowoo]

Google "Diminished value"
It was an 05'

If it's her insurance that is paying, your in the drivers seat.

 

[platinumike]

I got a question, what am I to tell the place i made an appointment with? That I will be paying myself or Her insurance company is paying and I need an estimate?

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: woowoo
Google "Diminished value"
It was an 05'

If it's her insurance that is paying, your in the drivers seat.

do this

Repair cost is $X
Diminished value is $Y

You should get $X + $Y

And don't skimp on where you take it. Your estimate sounds incredibly low to me -- considering a _real_ paint job is expensive. DO NOT take it to Maco for their "special" [read: tape and spray] job.

 

[platinumike]

Originally posted by: ttown

Originally posted by: woowoo
Google "Diminished value"
It was an 05'

If it's her insurance that is paying, your in the drivers seat.

do this

Repair cost is $X
Diminished value is $Y

You should get $X + $Y

And don't skimp on where you take it. Your estimate sounds incredibly low to me -- considering a _real_ paint job is expensive. DO NOT take it to Maco for their "special" [read: tape and spray] job.

Thanks Man. That is a very good idea, right now im just trying to find out how I would calculate diminished value, or a website that would do it for me, cause it seems im just pulling up lawyer services. I read somewhere the diminshed value is the Blue book value- the value it would get an offer for knowing it was in an accident.

 

[Captante]

I agree that sounds way too low... I'd suggest quotes from several different body shops before you agree to anything.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
that estimate sounds way low.

 

[alrocky]

I'm surprised she showed up at your work. When you exchanged information, I wouldn't think your work address would be included. (Drivers L and insurance info.) The accidents I was in when the other parties were at fault, I simply sent their insurance company the estimates from the body shops of my choosing. If I recall correctly in CA you aren't obliged to send you car to their body shop. Of course their claims adjuster can come over to inspect your car. You needn't tell the body shop who is paying for the car but in my cases they asked and I simply said the other guy's insurance. In any event I'd assume most people would take their car to the best body shop and once approved/agreed upon by the other insurance co., fix the car or pocket the cash, which is what I did.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: Yossarian
that estimate sounds way low.

It is a Hyundai, though. But yeah, I totally agree that sounds insanely low.

 

[Baked]

Car: 2005 Hyundai Elantra

That's all you need to know.

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

I seriously doubt you can claim diminished value on a hyundai. BMW-MB-Lexus, yes

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
I seriously doubt you can claim diminished value on a hyundai. BMW-MB-Lexus, yes

Brand should not have anything to do with a claim for diminished value.

 

[FLWRHART]

when someone hit my car, i had to take my car to two different repair shops and get estimates then i sent them in and the insurance company mailed me the check to take it wherever to get it fixed.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
I seriously doubt you can claim diminished value on a hyundai. BMW-MB-Lexus, yes

Brand should not have anything to do with a claim for diminished value.

I thought that there was nothing you could do about diminished value, and that no insurance company covers it. Is this something new?

<--- hasen't been up on the laws about this

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Xanis
I'm not an expert on this, but I think that wherever you take it to has to match the claim price. I'm probably wrong, but it seems logical.

You are wrong.

He has the right to take the car anywhere HE wants to. If he wants to take it to his friend's garage and have it fixed there, fine. If he wants to take it to a dealer and have it fixed there, fine. I would recommend against using the place that her insurance company requested because there is too much shady business with insurance companies.

As far as the place you have an appointment with... don't tell them who is paying yet. Just ask for an estimate.

If the price is much higher, compare what both places are repairing and see if they are the same.

Again, you can decide where you want it fixed and the insurance company cannot decide that for you.

When you decide, have that place handle the claim for you. The insurance company might want you to take a check, but avoid this because it could end up being more if more things are found wrong, etc... and the ins. company might try to weasel you into thinking that it's out of their hands now.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
I seriously doubt you can claim diminished value on a hyundai. BMW-MB-Lexus, yes

Because unless you are rich the value of your car doesn't matter. :roll:

I was under the assumption that dimished value matters for things like classics and limited builds, but if it applies to standard cars, there is no way they would only include certain makes.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: VirginiaDonkey
I seriously doubt you can claim diminished value on a hyundai. BMW-MB-Lexus, yes

Brand should not have anything to do with a claim for diminished value.

I thought that there was nothing you could do about diminished value, and that no insurance company covers it. Is this something new?

<--- hasen't been up on the laws about this

From what I've always heard you can't do anything about diminished value. However, I'm sure some people with fairly new or rare cars have been successful. I'm sure it depends on state laws and all that jazz.

 

[platinumike]

I really like the place I got the 2nd estimate from, place seems clean and the people are nice( and they work with state farm), they havent written the estimate as of yet, but they told me it would be atleast $2,200. However this place does not work with the insurance company that is liable(united auto). I called the adjuster for United Auto and she told me I have to take it to the places that are their authorized workshops. What am I to say to this lady..they've made things such a burden its like Iam at fault for the accident.