Backed into, asking for estimates on repair costs from you.

0SER · #1 12-19-2005, 09:40 AM

My roommate backed into my CRX last week, and I am going to get estimates today. His insurance is supposed to call today or tomorrow to send their own estimator. I just wanted to know if anyone here would be able to give me their own estimate (just to get perspective). Any advice on getting more money from the insurance would be nice too

Thanks for your time,
0SER

Here's a link to the pics.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/oser83...er83/my_photos

91CRXTC · #2 12-19-2005, 11:39 AM

guestimate....800

MT-2500 · #3 12-19-2005, 12:28 PM

Go to 2 different body shops of your own choice and get your own estiamates.
Most insurance adjusters will jack you around.
MT

Exempt · #4 12-19-2005, 01:24 PM

Shouldnt be much... $800 sounds about right... New bumper, hood, and rad support looks like is all ud need... I see your in Texas, I have a nice CF hood for sale if u want it, also have an OEM hood... Im in Alexandria, LA...

clawhammer · #5 12-19-2005, 01:46 PM

$500-1000. Don't fix it, just keep the money and use it when buying your next car.

0SER · #6 12-19-2005, 02:20 PM

I'm not gonna buy a new car anytime soon, I'm in college. Maybe when I get a job in a year and a half. I love my car, and don't plan to part with it anytime soon. I went to a place today to get an estimate and they said that the estimator will make a guess, and that when I take it to them, if they find that it will cost more they will call the insurance and get it subsidized.

Also, after taking those pictures, I closed the hood because I had to drive to work on the highway (70+ mph), and I can't get it back open. So the estimator guy won't be able to see the inside damage either. I just hope I don't get screwed.

Thanks for the info guys,
0SER

Oh yeah, if I get at the very least a new hood, won't it get painted? Then it won't match the car. Then they'll have to repaint the whole car? At least this is what my friends were telling me... I hope...

turtlecrxsi · #7 12-19-2005, 03:27 PM

Just take the money and get a CF hood.

Bang on it or have someone pull the latch while you make it open. You can also reach up underneath if you have room (no A/C, power steering etc.) but don't do it while the car is hot...

doug294 · #8 12-19-2005, 04:12 PM

What condition is the car in. If it's in bad shape they might try to total it. They tried to total my mint SI if it was going to be more than $1200 in damage.

0SER · #9 12-19-2005, 05:13 PM

In my opinion it's in great condition for a vehicle as old as it is. Everything works, AC and stuff. I've put too much money into it fixing it for them to total it. I've been looking at CF (carbon fiber) hoods online, and the brand to get is Vis, right?

MT-2500 · #10 12-19-2005, 05:59 PM

You need to go to a reptuable body shop and get a estiamate.
You could have un see damage. Frame or front end or trans.
Get it checked out by a good shop and go from there.
That adjuster from the paying insurance co. will try to save his companys money.
They will jack you around ever which way.
Have your own estimate right there when you go to deal with him. And do not just take what he offers you.
Make them pay the full damage.
MT

superbluecivicsi · #11 12-19-2005, 07:04 PM

im going to have to say they will total it. the repair cost is going to cost more than the car itself.

let us know what happens

doug294 · #12 12-19-2005, 08:25 PM

The insurance company could care less how much time you have put into the car. Like I said, I got into a fender bender in my showroom quality 91 Si. No dents, rust, nothing. Looked fresh off the lot, and they only wanted to give me $1200 max. That was including a new bumper, Si lip, inner fender, fender, hood, and rim. Looks like you just got hood and radiator support damage. They like to use sorta-fit parts or used parts, so don't expect them to offer too much.

Tony · #13 12-19-2005, 09:46 PM

Looks like the damage stayed in the core support and the hood. The hood could be fixed, but would have to be painted, plus they are a pain to work on because of the bracing on the back. If I'm right the core support on those are just bolted on so that should be easy to fix. I would take the money and get the parts yourself and fix it.

0SER · #14 12-19-2005, 11:55 PM

I just don't want to fix it myself and find out that something worse happened.

If I buy my own hood, I should be able to tell them not to worry with it at the repair shop, right? From the lookover they gave the car, at the shop, they said it would need a new hood and maybe the fenders aligned or something like that. They didn't check under the hood, because it's stuck, and would only check if I had them work on it, I think.

I got no call from the insurance company today, which is really disappointing because it's my only day off for a while. If they don't call by 3 tomorrow, I'm going to call because they said I would be contacted by tomorrow. Thanks for all the info and tips.

In the case that they say the car is totaled, what exactly does that mean for me? They pay nothing and I legally can't drive my car anymore? I know it means that they feel the price to fix the car will be more than the car is worth, but what else goes into the car being "totaled"?

Thanks,
0SER

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