So sunday morning while at a friends house. His girlfriends brother accidentally backed into my TL . The passenger fender has a fairly big dent,headlight has a minor crack and bumper is scratched up from his car. He gave me his insurance info and admit to being at fault. I already started a claim with his insurance provider( State Farm), they are agreeing to pay for all damages, even providing a rental car. I have a couple of questions for you guys since this is my first time in this situation. I'm only 20 so don't have too much experience.

1st is how do I go about the repair? Certified shop? Have StateFarm write me a check?

2nd is my car going to decrease value because of this? R/S title?

3rd will my rates go up for my insurance?

Hopefully you guys can help. Thanks

 

I would imagine his insurance company would want an estimate to repair the damages. Take the car to a few different body shops in your area and get estimates. You can probably go a few different routes from there. Have them cut you a check, or pay the body shop you take it to get repaired.
Just be aware that it's possible for an estimate to be lower than the actual cost to repair, because once they start tearing down for repairs they find things that couldn't be seen originally.

 

my tsx was rearended about a year ago. The other drivers insurance sent their adjuster to look at my car. I already had taken my car to a body shop to get a estimate. The insurance co sent me a check which I signedover to the body shop. They found additional damage and the insurance co sent them a check to cocer that. They also Paid for the rental car.

 

Your rates won't be affected

 

That sucks man, hope you get this fixed soon. Keep us all updated.

 

Oh and sorry to hear that OP hope everything goes well

 

any pics of the damage?

 

^this

 

State Farm will estimate damages, and cut you an initial check. Their estimate will typically cover dealership repair costs, and will likely be on the high side for repairs. You can take it to a smaller shop and pocket some cash, or to a larger shop for more expensive and warrantied work. The larger shops will not mind dealing with the insurance company if additional damage is found. Smaller shops might put this task on you.

Your car will decrease in value any time body panels are replaced/painted. You can file a diminished value claim against State Farm. You will want to start that process early so you have before, during, and after photos. Supposedly you can submit this claim on your own, but its easier to go with an unbiased 3rd party. Try not to let State Farm know that you have any type of relationship with the guy who hit your car. You are less likely to sue somebody you know, and it will be harder to get a fair diminished value check from State Farm if they realize you know the guy.

Not enough damage was incurred to worry about a rebuilt/salvage title. Your car must be deemed a total loss by the insurance company before that happens.

Your insurance rates will not go up. You don't even have to let your insurance company know that the repairs are being completed.

 

Thank you all for your help. Here are some pics. It doesnt look as bad in the pictures as it really is.

 

I don't know the guy. This sunday was the 1st time I met him. I am still lost on how to go about this diminished value claim? So I file a claim against State Farm saying that my car is now worth a lot less because of what happen? Best case scenario they will issue me another check?

Honestly I'm thinking about just taking it to a certified body shop who will use only OEM parts with warranty, just so everything looks exactly the same.

 

I don't know about the first part, but I'm pretty sure you can request that they use all OEM parts. I would assume it's up to you since you aren't at fault and you could pretty much take it anywhere you wanted.

 

Correct. You submit the diminished value paperwork separately, and State Farm files it against the existing accident claim. This is not submitted until all repairs have been made. I would hire out a company to build the diminished value report and submit it for you.. If you don't have a company in mind, ask your chosen bodyshop who they recommend for diminished value claims.

For some reason, diminished value claims aren't well known. They are used to reclaim the loss in value that happens to your car after being involved in an accident. Even though the insurance company pays for repairs, you are still left with a car that is worth less than it was before the accident.

In 2005, my 3 month old IS300 was side swiped by another driver. The car was repaired at the Lexus dealer, and the other driver's insurance paid for all repairs. In the process, both drivers side doors were replaced and paint was blended into both the front and rear fenders. I hired a local company to produce a diminished value report for, and think I paid about $200 for the service. If I remember correctly, the diminished value report put the loss of value around the $3600k mark. After some negotiations with the agent, the insurance company cut me a check for just shy of $3000 to cover the diminished value of my car. The extensiveness of the work, and the age/miles of the car has a lot to do with the amount of the claim. Your work doesn't seems to be as extensive, but is worth investigating.

 

I went to a certified body shop here by my house. The guy said that usually when you file a diminished value claim the car has to be 5 years old or less. So he doesn't think that state Farm will cover that claim. He also said that in AZ its not required for the shop or insurance company to file anything with carfax or anything like that. Since I did not contact the police to make any police reports.

 

That'll buff right out.

 

Ehh nothing a warmed up hair dryer, suction cup & hammer can't fix LOL...


Seriously tho, OP that sucks. Best of luck & keep in mind when dealing with insurance companies (especially OTHER ppls insurance companies) its always about negotiations. Aim high, get estimates yourself that way if their adjuster tries to screw you you have a basis to fight it--before any work has started.

 

Thanks, adjuster should be coming sometime this week.

 

Unless you live in Michigan, you're entitled to diminished value. You can take the car to an Acura dealer and ask their used car appraiser to give you a written estimate for diminished value. You'll have to pay for it, but you'll have something to show State Farm so they can't dick around with you.

 

First they steal my trunk spoiler!


Then!
...
Someone backs up to my car!



Why must this happen to me!

 

I was told the same thing by the adjuster with the other driver's insurance, my insurance co. and the body shop I went to. My car was too old, with too many miles for diminished value.

 

everyone is talking about going to a body shop and such ... cant that be removed by a pdr specialist???? from the pics it duznt look too bad, and it will save ur factory paint on the car and it wont be as expensive as getting it repainted ...

 

Sorry man hopefully you get it fixed soon.

Yeah man they said i have to wait for the car to be fixed and then take it to an appraiser to see what he has to say.
State Farm said they can issue a check for 1900. One of my good friends said he could fix it all for a lot less . Its not too bad of a hit mostly just the fender. So I'm thinking of just going with him.