Oh joy. 350 miles into my new ES350 and I am sideswiped while parked at the barbers.

Driver mirror, door, front fender, rim, and bumber all scratched. Claim is against the offending party.

I am told my diminished value would be around 6K. I can pay $500 to get a report that supports an appraised diminished value. This doesnt guarentee anything. Could be a racket .

Anyone have advice? Do I just get it repaired and move on? Is there a way to get the money I will be out due to the accident?

Anything I should be aware of from the collision shop? I am worried when they say the paint will be "blended in". Will that include matching the clear coat?

Truthfully I feel defeated and the luster is already gone from the excitement from making such a huge purchase (for me).

Should I just take my lumps and get through the process the quickest or are there things I can do to truly be made whole?

Thanks.

 

I don't think there is much you can do about diminished value, other than find the best repair shop. I too was worried about blending paint, but it can be done so well that no one will ever see it. You just have to find the shop that will take the time and make the effort to do it right. I got a referral from the service writer at my Lexus dealer. I expected him to make an appointment at their shop, but he sent me to a place he said they use on new cars. Then I went to the shop to basically interview them and see the other cars they were repairing. They were all high end cars. Lexus. Mercedes, Audi, Range Rover. I called my insurance agent and asked if they were good. He actually complained that the shop was difficult to deal with because they kept finding more damage the company didn't want to pay for. That sold me. It was a lucky coincidence that I met the owner of the shop. It was a Saturday (!), and he was just there hanging out because he likes to. He took the time to give me a tour of the shop (including their new paint booth), and show me their work in progress. He went through their entire blending process, how they did it, and what steps they take to make sure it's perfect. He was a car guy that's as passionate about paint as I am!

Just take the time to do your research, and you'll be perfectly happy with the result.

 

So that I understand correctly, they will fix the damage and give you an extra $6k for the diminished value?

 

In successful claims you provide proof of the diminished value and submit it as part of the claim. In my case the repair is 4k. Afterwords the resale value will be 6k less than if it had not been hit so the claim would be 10k to make me whole.

I am not sure if there is any recourse if they say no or if it is worth the effort. It seems unlikely.

 

It can’t hurt to file the diminished value claim...you should get at least some of the extra $6k.

 

Midi, I’m sorry you had damage to your new car. I can relate having had it happen to a brand new Mercedes E Class I bought 8 wks. prior. The accident was not my fault and I had it fixed so you couldn’t even tell there was any damage, but I had to take my lumps.

You might as well give it a try to see if you can recover at least part of it’s diminished value but you may have to just look ahead and move on. Glad to hear no one was injured.

 

Google search brings up a lot of suggestions, most start with searching your insurance companies policy.

Including the insurance companies name in the google search gets a lot more detailed information.

It sounds to me like since the other party is responsible for the damage, your insurance company MAY help you get some reimbursement.

Good Luck!

 

I wouldn't be too optimistic on the DV option. I've never received it here in Pennsylvania and don't know if it's even available here. However, as others say, give it a shot; the most they can say is NO... And I agree with Woody that a good body shop can perfectly match your paint where it can't be told from new. Insist that your car be taken where YOU want it to be - not the insurance company that will have you take it to one of their contracted shops and cheap out if they can... And also insist that they replace your parts with factory parts - not ones made in China for after market...

GOOD LUCK!!

 

I agree 100% with the above quote.
I would not have an issue with buying a vehicle that had been in an accident such as yours. Damage appears to be cosmetic and not to electronic systems, frame, etc.

Keep documentation of repair to prove extent of damage to potential buyers should you sell privately. And this may not show up on Carfax. I sold a vehicle privately a few years ago that had been involved in two accidents, one minor ($3,500) and one major ($8,500--nearly totaled). I showed documentation for both to potential buyer and when he pulled a Carfax, only the minor accident showed up. He ended up giving me $100 more that asking price for being honest.