lexusrus

Yes, over the years I've seen amazing body works myself. I'm happy you have found a top shelf body shop.

Given enough resources and talents, all can be restored to factory specs.

Ask him about lifetime warranty work (that is only as long as you own the car. Once you sell it, all bets are off.). Also to be sure to get a very detailed listing of all parts and labor process down to the last bolt and plastic body tabs/fasteners so when you do sell, you are able to show quality work was done.

One last thing, after the repair, look for any electronic abnormalities. This will be somewhat elusive BC it may not pop up right away. Often if there is something electronic abnormalities, the body shop may say it is unrelated to the bodywork. Example: if the body shop leaves the car outside and it rained heavily and somehow shorted some components, but upon drying out it worked again (intermittently, but you did not notice and eventually whatever components failed). Or the shock of the crash damaged a component that is not readily evident.

Good luck.

ross072566

Went and got a rental car today. Dodge Charger. Not bad I guess. Wife wants to drive to Destin, FL., for a few days. Anybody ever stayed in Destin or any other recommendations?

11bravo

DID THE OTHER GUY HAVE INSURANCE??? If he does, you must insist that your company file a "diminished value" claim against his company. The amendment in your policy only prevents you from filing a DV claim against your own insurance company. There is great diminished value to your vehicle, and if the responsible vehicle is insured, your company can sue them for diminished value, on your behalf.

NateJG

My son (now 41) drove into the side of a classic car (that had right of way) in the parking lot of the local Meijer BEFORE he got his license (was with his mom - learner's permit - mom still at the check-out). While there's a bigger and somewhat entertaining store there - the point I'm going to make is that the bumper of our car can-opened the side of his car - and our car sort of folded like a pocket knife.

Surely the car was totaled, you're thinking?

Not so (it was relatively new).

The local body shop - one that came highly recommended; and one that bragged that their frame-straightening experience could make it 'closer to factory spec than most come out of the factory' (or some very close quote) fixed the car.

I was sick over the car.

They fixed it up amazingly (and to my surprised satisfaction - given my aversion to repair).

I drove the car (trained two kids to drive with it) until about 110K miles; then was so confident in the car that I sold it to a friend (risky - but we're still friends) -- and his two girls drove it through college (at which point, it simply rusted out underneath).

So...

...Here's to hoping that you have a similar excellent experience.

Oh, and I asked my friend about the exhaust and clutch - both were still original when he retired it - at something like 135K miles ('87 Ford Escort GL). Don't ask about the three rack/pinions, two gas tanks, timing belt, fuel pump, oil leak, and full repaint after rust warranty put two doors and a tailgate on it at 6 years 11 months.

ross072566

I hope my Lexus turns out like this also. I'll post pics when I get it back.

ross072566

Well, now it's on car fax........

User 41924

There are people/companies that help you with disagreements with insurance companies. You might consider talking to someone just to find out if you have any options. Insurance adjusters aren't typically working for you. They work for the insurance company, and their purpose in life is to minimize expenses. They're very good, and it's OK to get help. Also, did you ever find out if the other driver was insured? If he/she was, your insurance company no longer has risk of liability and might actually be willing to advocate on your behalf.

Talk to the body shop to see if they can recommend anyone that can help you recover more of your loss. There is an association to which many collision repair shops belong, that might be able to point you in the right direction as well. I'm sorry, I don't remember what it is.

As others have said, you come first and the car second. Since you weren't injured and your call will be as good as new, you're in great shape. Now you get to decide how much time and effort it's worth to minimize your inconvenience and loss.

Best of luck!

11bravo

Rosso, Many of us have asked you if the other person had insurance, and you have not replied. It is simple to find out...ask your insurance company, or ask the PD which made the report. It is important for you to know the answer to that question....

ross072566

The guy did not have insurance. A lady from court called and asked what our deductible was. I told her and she said the court would probably make him pay that. She said she didn't know what else would be charged besides the hit and skip and wreckless op. I need to call her and find out what has happened. I had to work the day of the hearing and she said I didn't need to be there. So, I will try to find out more info and then let you guys know.

As far as the work goes I haven't heard anything from the body shop but just that they are working on it. He's being very particular. When I spoke to him last he said he had to order stickers for the doors and some other things. Like I said before. Everything will be "OEM" on it. He seems to be very good from what my neighbors are telling me. Of course he has painted show cars and also has his own drag cars. He is currently building a carbon fiber body for a new corvette funny car he has. He said that body will only weigh 55 lbs.! I have a good feeling about it after talking to a couple of my neighbors that have used him. I will post pics when I get the Lexus back for sure.

ross072566

The insurance company called today. My rental is due back on Friday. Said that the body shop is waiting on a part for my car. I guess I only have 30 days for a rental. The guy that hit me was given probation. Probation?!? I can't believe it. Ordered to pay my deductible which was $250. Good luck on seeing that. I think sometimes the court system favors the criminal. What a piece of **** and he got off lite.

NateJG

The very first paragraph out of my Business Law course instructor's mouth many years ago was:

"...My name is Rob *****. I'll be your instructor for this course; and if you only learn one thing - it is that you should never confuse Law with Justice..."

That is a virtually exact quotation that I have recalled and repeated dozens of times over my career.

(It was a great course; I remember him as a great professor; and he's currently a local elected Judge.)

lexusrus

Let me guess, this accident happened in the Republic of California?!!!

ross072566

State of Ohio.

lexusrus

Sorry to hear that. Sounded like it happened in the Republic of California!!! The DMV flags and NOTIFIES EVERYONE if your car insurance is no longer in effect. Several years ago I sold my car and very soon I received a nasty notice from DMV telling me that my insurance is no longer in effect. I called, faxed, and mailed evidence of the sale with a bill of sale and properly completed DMV TITLE and everything asking DMV to please update THEIR records. It took months, like 6 months before I got it all OK.

I think there ought to be more severe punishment for not having insurance. Like impounding the car immediately and sell at auction and give the proceeds to some insurance fund to help offset the damages caused by people driving around with no insurance (maybe a 30% cut to the LEO's department that made the arrest. Similar to the fight against drugs, you know where the agency that made the bust get to keep the majority of the loot as in drug busted cars, jewelry, cash, and etc.). I would think people will think twice before driving without insurance.

Raoul

Back in the early seventies I made monthly car insurance payments.
There was no online or internet transactions, you wrote a check and licked a stamp.
One month I was a few days late on the stamp licking and got called to see the 1ST SGT.
Waiting for me there was a NC State Trooper who took my NC plates.