Important! Proper repair procedures

[LaRastus]

I have a 1982 Vette that was hit by another vehicle on the left front fender and busted it. The at fault insured's company says that proper repairs are for it to be patched, I disagree as my car was not patched prior to him hitting me but his insurance company says all they will pay is for it to be repaired. I think the front cap should be changed. HELP ANYBODY!ad

 

[KANE]

I have a 1982 Vette that was hit by another vehicle on the left front fender and busted it. The at fault insured's company says that proper repairs are for it to be patched, I disagree as my car was not patched prior to him hitting me but his insurance company says all they will pay is for it to be repaired. I think the front cap should be changed. HELP ANYBODY!ad

When someone else is at fault there are a couple of rules that I live by...

1.) Get your OWN estimates from shops YOU TRUST. The other guy's insurance company wants to keep cost down. Typically, that means paying the lowest claim you'll settle for.

2.) Never take the adjuster's word for it. He's the payer for that company and has only HIS interests at heart. Most of the time, these guys have no experience repairing classic cars like ours let alone understanding them.

3.) Don't be in a rush- don't sign anything, take any money, or agree to anything from the other insurance company before you do some research. I go so far as to get my estimates, loss information, and other important data BEFORE I even talk to the other insurance company.

4.) Obtain plenty of "before accident" and "after accident" pictures, obtain a copy of the police report, get three or more estimates of shops you chose, and make copies of all your documentation.
A. Get those files in order and draft a cover letter indicating that you intend be indemnified and that you feel the estimates you have are fair market estimates for the work your car requires.
B. Demonstrate through pictures and documents that you had a well maintained car and that it is worth more than the lowest KBB condition.
C. Label each page of documentation as exhibits "A" through "TBD" and present it in the form of a certified mail packet to the adjuster. That will show you mean business. Remember, they want to take the path of least resistance.

If you give them a packet that connects the dots and would make easy fodder for a hungry attorney- they are more likely to cut their losses and give you what you are asking for (so as long as its not crazy). Adjusters have incentives to close cases quickly. If you make their job easy and the packet is bullet proof... they can justify what you are asking for.

With that said, depending on the level of damage... a repair using kitty hair and resin may very well be the right repair for your car... if the damage is very light. A new panel may be more trouble than its worth. A good shop can do amazing stuff and make your panel look like it was never hit.

The key is finding a GOOD shop.

 

[Yoda]

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center..

This is JUST ME, but I would take it to a KNOWN Corvette shop, get their best est. and repairs needed. I would also contact MY Insurance Co. and let them know what is going on. After All your insurance company has a stake in this repair too , they insured you car prior to being damaged understanding your Corvette was damage free / basically NEVER wrecked or repaired.

If the repair is NOT done professionally by a qualified Corvette Body Shop, you will suffer damages when you go to sell it.

Worst Case, get a Lawyer and have him contact the insurance company, and get their attention, AFTER ALL their client HIT YOUR CAR... I'm sure they are seeing what they can get away with, BOTTOM LINE they NEED to make YOU HAPPY

Again, this is Just Me and my opinion

Bud

 

[gmjunkie]

I Agree Totally with both of the above statements!!

 

[LaRastus]

LaRastus

Thanks for all your input that is what I thought. I was also told that if it was patched in the next few years with all the bumps and potholes in La. the patch would not hold either. I actually put it in the shop of my choice and am now fighting the insurance co. but with a Lawyer. When it has been completely fixed I will post Pics for everyone.

Thanks again!!

 

[fine69]

"... I was also told that if it was patched in the next few years with all the bumps and potholes in La. the patch would not hold either... "

No, that's not necessarily true. I am in the midst of a total "frame-on" body restore. I am learning that fiberglass is pretty versatile stuff - the key is finding a shop with the expertise in repairing the damage correctly with the proper materials and techniques... as our fellow CAC'ers have already recommended.

 

[6880 Mike]

...I was also told that if it was patched in the next few years with all the bumps and potholes in La. the patch would not hold either....

Sounds like the person who told you that has little or no actual experience with fiberglass. Here's the deal: it's cheaper to repair your car than to replace the fender. That's why your insurance company is looking at repairing and not replacing. If your damage is limited to a fender and you are expecting the insurance company to replace the front end, door to door, you're being unreasonable.

 

[gmjunkie]

If your damage is limited to a fender and you are expecting the insurance company to replace the front end, door to door, you're being unreasonable.

Not to mention un-informed!! It's always better not to bust loose Factory Seams if they have not been broken!!Just leaves things open for other problems down the road!! Plus,If a repair doesn't stick to the factory materials and comes loose or bubbles,Somebody doesn't know what there doing or used the wrong repair materials!!