[paimon.soror]

Grr...

Sitting in a Cumberland parkinglot drinking a coffee while i wait for some work on my house to be completed....

Guy decides he wants to back into the spot next to me.... He miscalculated how to count spots I guess..


Luckily the damage isn't that bad, and here in CT police don't do any investigation or blame report when the accident is on private property, but it's pretty clear what happened.

I let my insurance know, sent them all his paperwork, now waiting to see where i can drop off and how soon.

This might be a silly question, but is this one of those cases where I ask my insurance to go after diminished value?

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by paimon.soror

This might be a silly question, but is this one of those cases where I ask my insurance to go after diminished value?

Yes.

[auburnf30x]

Ah damn, that sucks. People that drive around with a trailer hitch and no trailer make me nervous for that exact reason.

You can go for the diminished value, with these cars it honestly is, but I doubt you'll get it. The damage looks to be just the bumper cover and other detachable, easily replaced parts. It'll still likely detract from your future trade in/sale value somewhat, but DV cases typically require proof of some kind of irreparable or permanent damage, like a bent frame that can be repaired but will never be as strong as it once was. Best of luck anyway, though.

[cfm56d7b]

Does your car have M Performance (or aftermarket) diffuser and M Performance exhaust? Hopefully, your policy covers these parts in case damage is discovered during the teardown inspection.

PS. These low speed encounters are frustrating to no end. Glad no one was hurt. The bumper replacement / new paint will be probably around $2.0 - 2.5K.

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by auburnf30x

Ah damn, that sucks. People that drive around with a trailer hitch and no trailer make me nervous for that exact reason.

You can go for the diminished value, with these cars it honestly is, but I doubt you'll get it. The damage looks to be just the bumper cover and other detachable, easily replaced parts. It'll still likely detract from your future trade in/sale value somewhat, but DV cases typically require proof of some kind of irreparable or permanent damage, like a bent frame that can be repaired but will never be as strong as it once was. Best of luck anyway, though.

Thanks, yea you are spot on, i took a look, honestly the bumper took the brunt of the damage. Crash bar has a minor scuff, luckily the trailer hitch contact was all it was. Diffuser has a few broken clips and a crack.

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Does your car have M Performance (or aftermarket) diffuser and M Performance exhaust? Hopefully, your policy covers these parts in case damage is discovered during the teardown inspection.

PS. These low speed encounters are frustrating to no end. Glad no one was hurt. The bumper replacement / new paint will be probably around $2.0 - 2.5K.

So - my insurance has an "aftermarket part" policy. The exhaust is remus (no damage luckily) and the diffuser is aftermarket. The interesting thing is I wonder how "Their" insurance will handle that. I guess since i do have it covered under "my" policy, "my" insurance should go after the coverage regardless.

[tootthekazoo]

With diminished value you typically won't have any chance of that from your own insurance company, though if the other party is insured then you absolutely are entitled to that as part of the overall claim settlement. I run a body shop so this question comes up pretty often in my day-to-day, though different states have different rules about a lot of this stuff. Best of luck with repairs!

[paimon.soror]

^^ Great info thanks!

So fortunately or unfortunately, this is my first accident in a long time. Previously I had Statefarm and I remember that my insurance essentially took care of everything (i.e. drop the car off at a local shop, my insurance adjuster comes out, and then goes after the other insured)

This time around i have progressive. I originally opened a claim through my insurance, but today the claim rep called me and told me it would be better for me to go through the other guy's insurance and file a claim. I obliged, but then i got to thinking "dont i pay insurance to represent me..."/"what if the guys adjuster doesn't properly assess the damage"/"how long am i sitting here waiting for their adjuster to come out".

Seems bizarre that my insurance pointed me away...

[tootthekazoo]

Originally Posted by paimon.soror

^^ Great info thanks!

So fortunately or unfortunately, this is my first accident in a long time. Previously I had Statefarm and I remember that my insurance essentially took care of everything (i.e. drop the car off at a local shop, my insurance adjuster comes out, and then goes after the other insured)

This time around i have progressive. I originally opened a claim through my insurance, but today the claim rep called me and told me it would be better for me to go through the other guy's insurance and file a claim. I obliged, but then i got to thinking "dont i pay insurance to represent me..."/"what if the guys adjuster doesn't properly assess the damage"/"how long am i sitting here waiting for their adjuster to come out".

Seems bizarre that my insurance pointed me away...

Better to go through the other carrier. That way you receive a rental for as long as the repair takes, don't have to pay your deductible, and will see no increase to your premiums. Even if you aren't at fault, if your company has to do anything on your behalf then you are SOL with regards to everything I listed above.

Since it was just a parking lot thing there isn't really much to be disputed for the repairs, so there isn't much for your own company to "represent" you for. PM me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by tootthekazoo

Better to go through the other carrier. That way you receive a rental for as long as the repair takes, don't have to pay your deductible, and will see no increase to your premiums. Even if you aren't at fault, if your company has to do anything on your behalf then you are SOL with regards to everything I listed above.

Since it was just a parking lot thing there isn't really much to be disputed for the repairs, so there isn't much for your own company to "represent" you for. PM me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Thanks for the information! Makes total sense.

[The Ru]

sucks man. Good luck with the fix

[exE36M3]

Interesting. I had something similar when a lady hit me from behind. Affected just the rear bumper cover and popped the parking sensor. Allstate let me file a claim and they worked with the other insurer to get it fixed.

Basically, Allstate let me get the car fixed ASAP and they in turn pass the bill to the other insurer.

The only downer about this route was I paid a deductible ($250) and my own rental car cost.
(Yes, stupid but you live and learn).

In hindsight, I agree with your insurance agent, deal with the OTHER insurance company so they pay everything and you avoid costs out of pocket. It'll probably take a little more time though.

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by exE36M3

Interesting. I had something similar when a lady hit me from behind. Affected just the rear bumper cover and popped the parking sensor. Allstate let me file a claim and they worked with the other insurer to get it fixed.

Basically, Allstate let me get the car fixed ASAP and they in turn pass the bill to the other insurer.

The only downer about this route was I paid a deductible ($250) and my own rental car cost.
(Yes, stupid but you live and learn).

In hindsight, I agree with your insurance agent, deal with the OTHER insurance company so they pay everything and you avoid costs out of pocket. It'll probably take a little more time though.

Yup. It's Tuesday and still nothing yet . Talked to their insurance yesterday and they mentioned that they were still trying to get in contact with their insured. I'm going to be calling again tomorrow. The interesting thing was that their insurance agent did say that this should be a open and shut case which was really surprising for him to admit that. Oh well we'll see what happens.

[exE36M3]

Yep... there's a reason why insurance costs what it does.
There's at least a half dozen people in the middle.

The good news - from your photos - your car is at least drivable and there's no frame damage.

The rear bumper on my car had me down a little less than a week.
So dropped car off with body shop on a Monday and had car back by Friday.

[paimon.soror]

Just spoke to their insurance again. They are still unable to make contact with their driver. WTF.

And i guess AAA (their insurance) has 30 days to establish contact

[Randy Johnson]

That doesn't look that bad at all. Just need a new bumper and diffuser.

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by Randy Johnson

That doesn't look that bad at all. Just need a new bumper and diffuser.

Agreed, honestly, im even sitting here like "i should just order a painted bumper and new diffuser to fix it, and cash out the insurance claim to recoup". Of course at this rate, they will be one of those insurance companies that will force you to get a 'certified repair'

[cdwalls]

def go for diminished value. get your car appraised at carmax after the damage is fixed and use that new estimate of your car vs. kbb or what you paid if you bought recently. They'll hopefully give you the difference or more, just be persistent and keep pushing them, they'll give it to you. I did this and got a nice chunk.

[anago]

Aw man, at least it is not that bad. Push for the insurance for sure.