npathak

I was driving in the carpool going to Irvine and car in front me of gets a flat. Its tire comes flying towards me and i couldn't avoid it without it hitting something i moved enough just so it didn't hit the middle of the car but it slammed right into the passenger's foglight and headlight.

Pulled over and checked it out. the bottom plastic flap got cut off from the tires running against it and the foglight was being dragged on the road hanging on with the foglight cable connector. left a fist sized scratch (chipped paint) near the foglight, scratches next to the headlight, and on the headlight.

Insurance will cover it with a 500 deductible. I haven't called my insurance agent yet due to still being on break and watching hey arnold (nostalgia) on netflix. I know the shop where they'll send the car so hopefully they can help me out a bit.

If they replace my headlight ill have one "not-cleared" and another cleared which would be awkward. So should i ask for both? If i do get two new ones i would definitely clear and blackout the new set
The clips on the bumper that holds the foglight in place broke so they would have to get a new bumper?

Have you guys ever had this kind of situation and opportunity? Any tips or advice for the shop or insurance?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilpathak/8448219253/http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilpathak/8448219253/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/neilpathak/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilpathak/8449304288/http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilpathak/8449304288/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/neilpathak/, on Flickr
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ssjoeboe9

Damn that sucks, I have no advice for you though

iSeeYouTwo

Sorry to hear that.

My advice: Aero front bumper.

opboarding

Yikes $500 deductible. I would definitely get the aero bumper though.

MrLogan13

iTrader: (1)

Damn, that sucks. Sorry to hear about that. Freaking people that don't maintain their tires. Hope they can fix is quickly.

MrLogan13

iTrader: (1)

What is the aero front bumper?

opboarding

Aero:





Regular:

iSeeYouTwo

I hate you OP

MrLogan13

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. I see it's on a pre-MMC model; would this fit vehicles after the MMC?

iSeeYouTwo

Nope. Only '09-'10


Shit. Just realized OP has an '11. FAIL LOL

MrLogan13

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, got my hopes up. lol

npathak

HAHA yeah i thought about it in the beginning. but i have a '11

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

uh while we're on the subject, where's the cheapest place to get the aero bumper?

opboarding

The SE front spats would cover up the damage. Your bumper being misaligned could possibly be fixed by partially taking it off and putting it back on again. Maybe a clip came undone and got folded underneath?

You'd still need to replace the fog and the fender liner though. I think you can get everything you need for under $500.

JR_Rider

If you haven't filed a claim yet, I would lower your deductible, and then make the claim. I was in a similar situation where I had to replace the headlight and front bumper. I can tell you that you won't find a new aero bumper for less than $500. Good luck.

ed_423

whoa guys. wrong info man.

the bumper WILL FIT 2009-2012 tsx!!!!!


HOWEVER: if you do get that bumper, you will need a 2009-2012 GRILLE to go with the bumper.

MrLogan13

iTrader: (1)

Damn, that's good to know! I hate to thread jack, but where can the bumper and grill be purchased?

npathak

i know. im just saying i cant get it because im not getting another grille.

_ricerocket

Ouch... I feel your pain man. Ran over a semi truck tire near the 605/10fwy one time and it left a nice gouge in the center of my front bumper. Luckily it's more towards the lower grille so I just learn to live with it lol.

A front lip or the SE spats would cover the missing paint on the bumper up nicely. Then if you get lucky enough you can go to a junkyard and hopefully find a new fender liner and foglight + surround.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the insurance isnt going to buy an extra headlight.
they will only replace the one that is damaged.

briq456

Why didn't you get the other guys insurance information? the tire came off of his vehicle and he is responsible for your repairs.

Simba91102

Holy thread revival! But since you asked.... in most states (if not all), any damage like this (caused by a vehicle in front of you) is automatically considered your fault. Regardless of how much space was between you and the offending car, it's going to be assumed that you were following too close (just like any accident where you hit the guy in front of you is automatically your fault.) It can be unfair, but remember that you're deaing with insurance companies, and they tend to suck (and be unfair) like no others.

MC MiYoung3269

Dashcams...

briq456

While that may be true you were hit by the tire that came off of the vehicle in front of you. Therefore you were struck by something that should have been attached to his car. I would argue that like crazy. But I know sometimes its just easier to pay the deductible and be done with it.

krnboy817

i dont know about CA state inspections, but if its commercial trucks, here in TX they are required by the state to have new tires on average of 6 months (depending on load) or tread depth no lower than 4/32nds (i think, its been awhile since i had to get the inspection done on my trucks.). so in this case it would be the truck at fault for not meeting the state maintenance inspection requirements. and the driver should have this document in the truck with him all the time, if not its a violation which can lead up to giving up his licensee.

but if that doesnt apply in your state,

there are plenty of asian or mexican owned body shops that will work something out with you. cant say its not legal but your insurance company isnt being 100% fair to you either. usually they will claim more than your cost for repair and return your deductible from the extra claims they made.

also if you have geico they seem to bitch a lot and is harder to work this way with them. but farmers and allstate seems to work much easier than geico.

i would say drive around to local indie shops and talk to them see what they can do... no asian or mexican is going to turn your business away.

ceb

So you're suggesting that he goes to a shop that will illegally inflate the cost of repairs to cover his deductible. That is called insurance fraud and people go to jail for that.

Do you think that the "Asian or Mexican" (talk about stereotyping) shop that will screw the insurance company will think twice about screwing you?

That is very bad (and very stupid) advice.

krnboy817

OP can do whatever the hell he wants. it doesnt mean that what ever i say he will do. perhaps he will perhaps he wont... its for him to make up his own mind on what to do. he can take someone else's advice or not take any at all... but does that mean stuff like this dont happen? i dont think so. does that mean that he may randomly run into a place of his choice that might offer him this very thing i just posted and perhaps ask this forum about it? well of course because there are possibilities for everything since not one of us knows what he is thinking or is wanting to do... or where he is going.

oh and thats right, lowering their deductible after an accident then reporting or making a claim isnt a fraud??? (believe that was mentioned few posts above)

is it bad of me to tell him what really happens at times or at some body shop places... no i do not think so. perhaps he is more aware of it now dont you think?

and so what if it sounds like stereotyping? did you rather have me say KIM's auto body or Martinez auto work??? how much better does that sound? the whole point is to get a point or a message across to another forum member for him to make a decision. and if it did why does it matter if it sounded like a stereotyping for you.

gz.. dude losen up a bit... its the weekend.

and to correct if there was any wrong since it offended some.

pay cash.
and fix the bumper.
they are just going to repaint the damaged area and try to blend it. if not it would be about $500 to paint the front end anyways.
the whole cost may end up being same or 1-200 more than your deductible to be honest if you shop around. and if you dont have the money to pay for it, then forget it and dont try to take advantage for an aero front or whatever.
if you make a claim your premium goes up anyways and you will be paying for it either way.

gonzo08452

OP, you're in OC correct? Plenty of very reputable high end shops out there. Good news is most if not all are probably recomended by your very own ins company. No need to complicate things and just let it take its course. I've worked with most body shops and have played golf with some of its owners as well as some of the ins industries upper management. If you need a recommendation, post up in the regional section and let others chime in. Good luck.


Btw, some of the best body shops I know are owned/operated by hispanics and Asians.