Accident - Is it totaled?

jd_perspective · 03-05-2018, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike5215

Unfortunately a falling tree in a storm is considered an "act of god". Nobody was negligent in not preventing it from falling, or failing to then immediately warn motorists of the hazard. (I'm guessing crews eventually got there and did so...you were just there ahead of them). So nobody to sue. However if there was, it would be your insurance company who'd go back after them to recover their pay-out (and your deductible.)

Given the value of the car, based on the pics it's not totaled. Basically the shop will put it on a laser unibody rack, measure to see how far its tweaked structurally, and then do a series of pulls to bring it back into spec. They'll remove the fender and doors and pull the A pillar, and the post (lower A pillar) if needed. I'd be surprised if the post needed much work. It's pretty stout whereas the A pillar is relatively frail when struck horizontally. (It has a lot of strength when compressed vertically, like in a roll-over.)

Once the preliminary pulls are done, they'll remove much of the interior on that side...the headliner obviously,the sunroof assembly. If they have to get into the post or the cowl panel they'll pull the dash as well. Chances are that if your driver's door can still open and close without obstruction the structural damage is limited to the pillar and roof.

They'll cut out the damaged area (the pillar obviously, a section of the roof) and then section in new inner (structural unibody) and outer (exterior) panels. The shop should be doing unibody measurements throughout to make sure the car stays square.

They'll apply weld-through primer to the seams, and they'll have to do some filling and sanding where the new stuff meets the old stuff. Then it's off to the paint booth for priming, base and clear coat. They will not paint the entire car. They'll paint the new material and then blend into the old material. On a new car with fresh factory paint the match should be perfect.

Then the whole thing has to be put back together, any codes have to be cleared, and the car is washed and detailed. There's a lot of labor in that job (it's mostly labor). I suspect the shop will have it for a couple of months. But if it's a good shop it'll come back looking like it's never been touched. Rough guess it's a $10,000 hit or so.

Oh, and I too am glad you're ok.

10k for all that, no way! i had my bumper scraped and it was $5k in damage...

svic628 · 03-05-2018, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph335

Glad you are ok! That is a nasty wreck! You've got some amazing reflexes to duck out of the way like you did.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

. Insurance already said it was my fault. Im bummed because im hoping my rates arent overkill now and affect cars i have in mind as future purchases.

wow who the fuck is your insurance company? wtf! sucks dude. time to drop them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

I was driving. Car wasnt parked. The tree was down just past the bottom of the hill. I just didnt see it until it was too late. Even the town workers who showed up were like "yea maybe we should put some flares at the top of the hill". Ya think!

I did feel like it was totaled given the structural damage. I didnt see much more then you can see it the pics. I thought the fact that its still brand new might not be 75% of the damage value.

they might technically be able to fix that, but would you want the whole roof fixed? I feel like it's really a key structural piece and might not feel safe like that.

Geico. That was based on my description that a tree was in the road and i drove into it i guess

The receptionist at the body shop said i can dispute the estimate. So if they try to fix the existing roof and not order a new one for 1300 i can say no i want a new roof.

ECS tuning has the entire left panel for 1200. So i can say i want all new panels. It is technically all structural pieces so it would make it unsafe if they didnt. Hopefully it went to the firewall and can be deemed totaled.

Zentan · 03-06-2018, 08:08 AM

Glad you're ok... Keep us posted of how much the damages comes out to and if it's deemed totaled or not!

Domotron · 03-06-2018, 09:07 AM

man thats sucks dude

you car is perfect color/interior combo too ... hard to find

svic628 · 03-06-2018, 09:37 AM

Still waiting to hear back from the shop. Spoke to someone in person this morning and asked about wanting new panels instead of repairing existing. He said they do the cheaper option and then i showed him a pic of the car and he goes " ohh... i didnt know it was that bad"

Basically said what everyone heat was saying that they have to dig into it and check the firewall and a new roof and entire driver side panel would need to be used.

Hopefully the labor of taking it apart and putting back together adds up enough to total out once the parts, paint and labor is taken into account.

Spoke to a lawyer and he said he thinks i have a case that the road should have been closed and it was negligent of the town to not close it or put some warnings.

Updates when i hear something..

svic628 · 03-06-2018, 04:08 PM

Geico adjuster called me and said the estimate is not done. Still needs to clean the inside and take it apart but just from what they can see its sitting at 15k right now.

svic628 · 03-06-2018, 06:17 PM

Just went to see if they even moved the car and its still sitting in the same spot since the accident.... which is great because there is no driver side window, most the windshield is cracked and we are getting 6-18 inch of snow and mixed rain tommorow. Awesome. Wonder who will shovel the snow out of the car

jd_perspective · 03-07-2018, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

Thanks
Geico. That was based on my description that a tree was in the road and i drove into it i guess

Hopefully they code it as weather related. Deplore them to do that if they dont. It sucks they list at fault but I actually had geico (just got rid of due to ever rising costs) but I had a hit and run that I had to claim with them, ($10K in damage) and then right after got stuck in a pile up on a PA highway due to ice and snow ($15K in damage) that I had to claim and it was listed at fault, due to weather. My insurance did not go up at all, other than the annual increase I always got with Geico.

Fingers crossed for you buddy.

svic628 · 03-07-2018, 02:16 PM

Wondering if i should contact BMW and let them know about the accident since its a lease? I guess if they dont deem the repairs acceptable upon lease return that would be on the insurance company and body shop correct?

rak299 · 03-07-2018, 02:20 PM

I would certainly tell BMW

OUGrad05 · 03-07-2018, 09:35 PM

Fractured A pillar...how is that not totaled?

svic628 · 03-08-2018, 09:57 AM

I notified BMWFS. It said to do so on the lease agreement so i went and did that to avoid future headaches. Geico said they stand behind the repairs and guarantee 100%. So if BMW deems the repairs improperly done then Geico covers it.

jgoens · 03-08-2018, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

I notified BMWFS. It said to do so on the lease agreement so i went and did that to avoid future headaches. Geico said they stand behind the repairs and guarantee 100%. So if BMW deems the repairs improperly done then Geico covers it.

Your probably good to go as it's a lease so you will not be stuck with a major accident stricken car for long. And if Insurance guarantees, then there should be no problem. The problem will be for BMW trying to re-sell that car.

chiefneil · 03-08-2018, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

I notified BMWFS. It said to do so on the lease agreement so i went and did that to avoid future headaches. Geico said they stand behind the repairs and guarantee 100%. So if BMW deems the repairs improperly done then Geico covers it.

How do you note an accident on the lease agreement? Curious since I’m leasing a Mini for my daughter and it’s had a couple of small scrapes repaired and we’re turning it in soon.

svic628 · 03-08-2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

I notified BMWFS. It said to do so on the lease agreement so i went and did that to avoid future headaches. Geico said they stand behind the repairs and guarantee 100%. So if BMW deems the repairs improperly done then Geico covers it.

How do you note an accident on the lease agreement? Curious since IÂ’m leasing a Mini for my daughter and itÂ’s had a couple of small scrapes repaired and weÂ’re turning it in soon.

I called bmwfs and told them. On your lease argreement it says you have to notify them immediately. And if repairs are not carried out by an authorized shop they can charge you if they deem them unacceptable.

Of course this is for more serious accidents like how my car is damaged. Im sure small scrapes and scratches arent gonna be frowned upon.

svic628 · 03-09-2018, 07:09 AM

Anyone have experience with diminished value charges upon a lease turn in? Did some searching but i couldnt find exactily what i was looking for. Sent an email to insurance with a few questions waiting to hear back.

svic628 · 03-12-2018, 09:55 AM

Car is totaled. Valued at 49800. Payoff is 54045. Needed a door panel , new dash, heads up display was cracked etc... sad..

FastF30 · 03-12-2018, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

Car is totaled. Valued at 49800. Payoff is 54045. Needed a door panel , new dash, heads up display was cracked etc... sad..

That's great news! .... no way in heck did you want that fixed....

svic628 · 03-12-2018, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastF30

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

Car is totaled. Valued at 49800. Payoff is 54045. Needed a door panel , new dash, heads up display was cracked etc... sad..

That's great news! .... no way in heck did you want that fixed....

Yea thats true. Im stilled bummed about it. Ordered the car and waited 2 months for it. You said you totaled your 340? What kind of affect did it have on your insurance premium?

FastF30 · 03-12-2018, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

Yea thats true. Im stilled bummed about it. Ordered the car and waited 2 months for it. You said you totaled your 340? What kind of affect did it have on your insurance premium?

Not I... but have crashed a lot of cars in my life for one reason or another... lol.... never had insurance premiums go up... I wouldn't really worry about it ... Now start picking out your new one...

Mike5215 · 03-12-2018, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

Anyone have experience with diminished value charges upon a lease turn in? Did some searching but i couldnt find exactily what i was looking for. Sent an email to insurance with a few questions waiting to hear back.

No DV on a lease regardless of fault, and no DV on first party claims (using your own collision or comp coverage.) DV can only be claimed by the party that owned the vehicle, and the owner of a lease is the leasing company. On turn-in they'll ship the car off to one of the big auction houses, disclose the damage and take the hit. Another reason to lease!

Mike5215 · 03-12-2018, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svic628

Car is totaled. Valued at 49800. Payoff is 54045. Needed a door panel , new dash, heads up display was cracked etc... sad..

Sad because you're upside down on the note? Not sure what the dash assembly and door shell costs but they were at $15k before the supplemental damage. 80% of ACV would be $39,840. Highly unlikely it was an additional $25,000 for the dash and door. Possible the shop didn't want the headaches associated with all the diagnostics and re-coding involved in replacing the dash and the carrier agreed.

You can possibly get them to nudge that $49,800 valuation up a bit to get the claim closed (and eat into the negative equity). Adjusters are given a little latitude. If you can find three or so cars similarly equipped with comparable mileage selling on Auto Trader for more money that's typically sufficient documentation to warrant a higher ACV. They owe you at least NADA dealer retail, less any condition allowances.

03-06-2018, 08:08 AM	#47
Zentan First Lieutenant 132 Rep 302 Posts Drives: 2019 M2C / 6MT / SO Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	Glad you're ok... Keep us posted of how much the damages comes out to and if it's deemed totaled or not!
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03-06-2018, 09:07 AM	#48
Domotron Captain 149 Rep 757 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 328xi M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (2)	man thats sucks dude you car is perfect color/interior combo too ... hard to find __________________ 2014 Estoril Blue II BMW 328i xdrive ///M-Sport
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03-06-2018, 09:37 AM	#49
svic628 Private First Class 74 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 05 330ci ZHP Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Still waiting to hear back from the shop. Spoke to someone in person this morning and asked about wanting new panels instead of repairing existing. He said they do the cheaper option and then i showed him a pic of the car and he goes " ohh... i didnt know it was that bad" Basically said what everyone heat was saying that they have to dig into it and check the firewall and a new roof and entire driver side panel would need to be used. Hopefully the labor of taking it apart and putting back together adds up enough to total out once the parts, paint and labor is taken into account. Spoke to a lawyer and he said he thinks i have a case that the road should have been closed and it was negligent of the town to not close it or put some warnings. Updates when i hear something..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2018, 04:08 PM	#50
svic628 Private First Class 74 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 05 330ci ZHP Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Geico adjuster called me and said the estimate is not done. Still needs to clean the inside and take it apart but just from what they can see its sitting at 15k right now.
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03-06-2018, 06:17 PM	#51
svic628 Private First Class 74 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 05 330ci ZHP Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Just went to see if they even moved the car and its still sitting in the same spot since the accident.... which is great because there is no driver side window, most the windshield is cracked and we are getting 6-18 inch of snow and mixed rain tommorow. Awesome. Wonder who will shovel the snow out of the car
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2018, 02:16 PM	#53
svic628 Private First Class 74 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 05 330ci ZHP Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Wondering if i should contact BMW and let them know about the accident since its a lease? I guess if they dont deem the repairs acceptable upon lease return that would be on the insurance company and body shop correct?
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03-07-2018, 02:20 PM	#54
rak299 Major 601 Rep 1,048 Posts Drives: 2021 M3 6MT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: san francisco iTrader: (0)	I would certainly tell BMW
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03-07-2018, 09:35 PM	#55
OUGrad05 Captain 525 Rep 859 Posts Drives: 2023 i4 and 2022 Acura MDX Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Fractured A pillar...how is that not totaled? __________________ 2023 i4 eDrive40 2022 Acura MDX
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03-08-2018, 09:57 AM	#56
svic628 Private First Class 74 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 05 330ci ZHP Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I notified BMWFS. It said to do so on the lease agreement so i went and did that to avoid future headaches. Geico said they stand behind the repairs and guarantee 100%. So if BMW deems the repairs improperly done then Geico covers it.
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03-09-2018, 07:09 AM	#60
svic628 Private First Class 74 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 05 330ci ZHP Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Anyone have experience with diminished value charges upon a lease turn in? Did some searching but i couldnt find exactily what i was looking for. Sent an email to insurance with a few questions waiting to hear back.
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03-12-2018, 09:55 AM	#61
svic628 Private First Class 74 Rep 187 Posts Drives: 05 330ci ZHP Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Car is totaled. Valued at 49800. Payoff is 54045. Needed a door panel , new dash, heads up display was cracked etc... sad..
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