Minor car accident

[lsmalley]

So yesterday a woman hit my car while I was stopped at a light and she was uninsured. I have full coverage on my car and even rental reimbursement, but looking at the damage I think this is something that looks very manageable for me. I can remove and replace the light and bumper myself, but the dent at the rear quarter panel and right below the tail light is something I wouldn't know where to begin. Also the trunk is slightly raised, by not even an inch on that side. Can anyone provide any and all tips and resources for this? My goal is to fix this with as little cost as possible and have the woman that hit me cover the costs. Thanks guys, this is really important to me.

[tjts1]

I hope you filed a police report so they can bust nuts for driving uninsured. These people are scum.

[lsmalley]

Originally Posted by tjts1

I hope you filed a police report so they can bust nuts for driving uninsured. These people are scum.

The police were there literally less than a minute after it happened. According to the officer someone reported her erratic driving and they were already looking for her. I'm not concerned with her or what is going to happen to her at this time though, I just want to get my car repaired.

[280EZRider]

Is the quarter panel bent down or the trunk lid bent up, or both?

Is the bumper cover Ok and what about the side bumper trim?

The bumper cover has to be removed to determine the extent of the damage, there may be some under the cover as well. The back panel under the tailight can be pulled out only so much due to the corner being damaged, so it will have to be filled.

I donīt see this as a fix-it-yourself job unless you are a body man and a painter.

[HuskyMan]

If it were my car, I'd take it to a professional body shop and ask for a professional WRITTEN estimate. If you ever go to sell the car, the buyer is going to pull a CARFAX and then start asking questions. Unless you can answer in the affirmative that you are a professional auto paint and body man, they may bolt.

[lsmalley]

I plan on never selling the car so I'm not worried about that. I took it in to a shop today and got an estimate. I've tried to reach out to the woman that hit me, but no answer from her so I contacted my insurance company. After hearing what the guy was saying about pulling the dent and lining everything up, I realized that I could not do that. But I would just replace the rear bumper cover and tail light myself. Goal is to keep the cost as low as possible because being an owner of an older MB, whether it be a 126, 124, or 201, the cash value of these cars are likely less than a new car payment and so I want to avoid having it totaled.

[HuskyMan]

Sounds like a plan. I'm thinking with all the wrecks going on, the paint and body business sounds lucrative. Talk about non-stop customers.

[Hirnbeiss]

Insurance will total the car - don't involve them. Seriously. No point in anything but liability coverage on an old car.

[lsmalley]

Originally Posted by Hirnbeiss

Insurance will total the car - don't involve them. Seriously. No point in anything but liability coverage on an old car.

That's what I was worried about, but I was able to get a quote from the body shop for only $715 to repair it. I told the shop that I would replace the light and bumper cover myself.

[anziani]

Didn't you have "non-insured motorist" coverage? With all the illegals in Kalifornia, that has to be the MAJOR part of your insurance policy especially since Brown makes it so easy for them to get a license.
Anziani

[lsmalley]

Originally Posted by anziani

Didn't you have "non-insured motorist" coverage? With all the illegals in Kalifornia, that has to be the MAJOR part of your insurance policy especially since Brown makes it so easy for them to get a license.
Anziani

I have uninsured motorist, but as stated before, it doesn't matter. To most of us on the forum, we know the value of our older MB, but to an insurance company a car that is 15 or even 20 years old is only worth pocket change. So unless I can keep the cost of repairs down to a few hundred dollars, the car will be totaled as the actual cash value to an insurance company is next to nothing.

[anziani]

Sorry, you are right, but can't your insurance company increase the value on the "uninsured motorist" side? I guess I know the answer. If the party that hit you had her OWN insurance you might have stood a chance. ........and we take it in the shorts again!
Anziani
'97 CL600 64K

[slk230red]

Originally Posted by lsmalley

I have uninsured motorist, but as stated before, it doesn't matter. To most of us on the forum, we know the value of our older MB, but to an insurance company a car that is 15 or even 20 years old is only worth pocket change. So unless I can keep the cost of repairs down to a few hundred dollars, the car will be totaled as the actual cash value to an insurance company is next to nothing.

You are right on target, it doesn't take much to total our 190's. The trade in value of my one owner low mileage '93 is $654. And my '01 SLK230 isn't much better. At least I can get classic car insurance for my '71 Corvette for $40K agreed value coverage.

Good luck fixing your car.

[97 SL320]

Originally Posted by slk230red

At least I can get classic car insurance for my '71 Corvette for $40K agreed value coverage.

Good luck fixing your car.

Check your binder and pose questions to your broker. Some policies have a not to exceed value / the insurer decides what the car is worth at time of loss rather than a " If this car goes away I get $ 40 K ". Some on this site have been caught off guard by the former.

[slk230red]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Check your binder and pose questions to your broker. Some policies have a not to exceed value / the insurer decides what the car is worth at time of loss rather than a " If this car goes away I get $ 40 K ". Some on this site have been caught off guard by the former.

I did. They wanted to insure it for $50K, but I was comfortable with $40K. I've owned the car for 42 years.