Had someone back into my door in a parking lot - looking for advice on repair

[nosavingthrow]

Also, anyone who says they are going to cover it without insurance involved - they most likely aren't once they see the bill. People are dumb and assume fixing will cost like $150. It will cost 10x that on a new car like this. And by the time they back out, you'll have wasted a lot of time and energy and likely will make it harder with the insurance.

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[autopc25]

Hard to see in that pic? You might be able to get away with just painting the door trim? Good PDR guy might be able to repair the metal. Have one look at it. If not, it's going to be paint and body work. They will most likely need to blend into the panels next to the door. See what I mean about it possibly adding up in cost? I doubt there are any aftermarket parts yet so you will get OEM. I would insist on OEM no matter what.

I would insist on working directly with her insurance company. For a couple of reasons. There are other cost. A repair can add up quickly. A rental car might be needed. You will have a negative Carfax report. Your car will be worth less after a accident and paint work. Demand that her insurance pay you for diminished value. Work directly with her insurance so it is not a chargeable claim for you. You don't want to involve your own insurance company unless it's needed. A example is if her insurance company gives you resistance. Otherwise your rates might go up. Most dealer body shops are fair not good or excellent. Others just sub out the body work to the lowest bidder. Make sure you take your car to a very good shop. I see your in Chicago. Let me know if you want a referral to a excellent body shop that is used to high end work and very high standards. I also know a excellent PDR guy.

 

[nibble]

I have so many things to say about it but I will just say one thing that I think it's most important...

Did you filed police report with her statement?

 

[Ground Beef]

Wow that is terrible and definitely insurance.

Where did this happen?

It was in a parking lot at my kids high school

 

[autopc25]

It was in a parking lot at my kids high school

You have 10 days to file a police or accident report in IL. I suggest you contact her insurance asap. Hopefully she has good insurance and you have a witness or statement from her admitting fault.

 

[Ground Beef]

Hard to see in that pic? You might be able to get away with just painting the door trim? Good PDR guy might be able to repair the metal. Have one look at it. If not, it's going to be paint and body work. They will most likely need to blend into the panels next to the door. See what I mean about it possibly adding up in cost? I doubt there are any aftermarket parts yet so you will get OEM. I would insist on OEM no matter what.

I would insist on working directly with her insurance company. For a couple of reasons. There are other cost. A repair can add up quickly. A rental car might be needed. You will have a negative Carfax report. Your car will be worth less after a accident and paint work. Demand that her insurance pay you for diminished value. Work directly with her insurance so it is not a chargeable claim for you. You don't want to involve your own insurance company unless it's needed. A example is if her insurance company gives you resistance. Otherwise your rates might go up. Most dealer body shops are fair not good or excellent. Others just sub out the body work to the lowest bidder. Make sure you take your car to a very good shop. I see your in Chicago. Let me know if you want a referral to a excellent body shop that is used to high end work and very high standards. I also know a excellent PDR guy.

Yes, please, referrals in the Chicagoland area would be fantastic.

This might be a bit late, but gonna post it here anyways since I feel like a got a good outcome in a similar situation. Was still a huge headache tho. Figure people might find this useful.

Hopefully you took lots of pictures, including the other person's car if there is any damage on it, and pictures of the location. Picture of their license plate is useful too.

Someone hit my car in a parking lot earlier this year. It was clearly their fault, and they were also apologetic, not that it seemed like that mattered in the end when they filed a claim with their insurance marking me as responsible. Don't trust anyone.

This is the guidance my insurance broker gave me:

1. Since it is obviously the other parties fault, call their insurance and file a claim (or find the claim number if they themselves already filed one). Filing a claim with your own insurance, even if it isn't your fault can still have some impact on your premium. If you don't get a good outcome with the other person's insurance, then contact your insurance.
2. Prepare a statement ahead of time of exactly what happened with very clear details and facts. If the other person admitted fault, make sure to clearly state that they did so and what they said. You'll likely need to talk to the adjustor and they will take your statement, and record it.
3. Pictures, as mentioned above help a lot. You'll want to provide those when given the chance, and let them know you have pictures.
4. Hopefully things go well and the other person's insurance will take 100% liability. If not, contact your insurance.

In my case, the other person (even though apologetic and said its their fault etc) had filed a claim and they had me as 70% liable. They also didn't provide my phone number to their insurance. Once I got in contact with their insurance of my own volition, gave my statement and then provided comprehensive photos of the damage on both cars and the location etc, the insurance accepted 100% liability.

In terms of repairs.. My door had deep scrapes and couple dents, and another dent and scrape in the fender.

Local shop replaced the fender completely and fixed the dents in the door and repainted the entire door. Looks great so far as far as I can tell, no issues with paint match. I didn't pay anything since other person's insurance paid it all, but the final invoice was like $2500.

Definitely try to find a shop that has high ratings. Can also check with the dealership and see where they take cars themselves. Also, try visiting the shop and see what kind of cars they are working on. If you see high end cars (especially exotics) that can be a good sign combined with good ratings.

Thanks Autopc, I'm inclined to go through her insurance, I'll get an independent quote from a reputable body shop and go from there. I have a text from her where she apologized... not sure what that's worth. I'll let everyone know how it all pans out. This community is amazing. Thanks to all

 

[Ground Beef]

You have 10 days to file a police or accident report in IL. I suggest you contact her insurance asap. Hopefully she has good insurance and you have a witness or statement from her admitting fault.

My daughter was walking to the car and saw the whole thing. She said she couldn't believe what she was seeing lol.

 

[autopc25]

Yes, please, referrals in the Chicagoland area would be fantastic.


Thanks Autopc, I'm inclined to go through her insurance, I'll get an independent quote from a reputable body shop and go from there. I have a text from her where she apologized... not sure what that's worth. I'll let everyone know how it all pans out. This community is amazing. Thanks to all

I will PM you. Definitely ask her insurance company to pay you for diminished value.

 

[Grady60]

This might be a bit late, but gonna post it here anyways since I feel like a got a good outcome in a similar situation. Was still a huge headache tho. Figure people might find this useful.

Hopefully you took lots of pictures, including the other person's car if there is any damage on it, and pictures of the location. Picture of their license plate is useful too.

Someone hit my car in a parking lot earlier this year. It was clearly their fault, and they were also apologetic, not that it seemed like that mattered in the end when they filed a claim with their insurance marking me as responsible. Don't trust anyone.

This is the guidance my insurance broker gave me:

1. Since it is obviously the other parties fault, call their insurance and file a claim (or find the claim number if they themselves already filed one). Filing a claim with your own insurance, even if it isn't your fault can still have some impact on your premium. If you don't get a good outcome with the other person's insurance, then contact your insurance.
2. Prepare a statement ahead of time of exactly what happened with very clear details and facts. If the other person admitted fault, make sure to clearly state that they did so and what they said. You'll likely need to talk to the adjustor and they will take your statement, and record it.
3. Pictures, as mentioned above help a lot. You'll want to provide those when given the chance, and let them know you have pictures.
4. Hopefully things go well and the other person's insurance will take 100% liability. If not, contact your insurance.

In my case, the other person (even though apologetic and said its their fault etc) had filed a claim and they had me as 70% liable. They also didn't provide my phone number to their insurance. Once I got in contact with their insurance of my own volition, gave my statement and then provided comprehensive photos of the damage on both cars and the location etc, the insurance accepted 100% liability.

In terms of repairs.. My door had deep scrapes and couple dents, and another dent and scrape in the fender.

Local shop replaced the fender completely and fixed the dents in the door and repainted the entire door. Looks great so far as far as I can tell, no issues with paint match. I didn't pay anything since other person's insurance paid it all, but the final invoice was like $2500.

Definitely try to find a shop that has high ratings. Can also check with the dealership and see where they take cars themselves. Also, try visiting the shop and see what kind of cars they are working on. If you see high end cars (especially exotics) that can be a good sign combined with good ratings.

Excellent advice. Will file it away for later, and hope I never need it.

 

[black_sedan]

If she actually will pay out of pocket.... find some high end body shops in your area and get a couple estimates. Also ask if the repair can be done and not reported to carfax.

Otherwise go the insurance route have good shop of your choice repair and make a diminished value claim after the repair is done.

 

[Ground Beef]

First estimate came in at $1700. Getting 2 more.

 

[puzzled]

Ive been through so many minor and major accidents through my life I don't bother with private repair scenarios even if a fender bender. As others mentioned, I would just call my insurance claims adjuster and schedule an appraisal for the repair or just get the repair done and charge the amount through insurance. Insurance will take care of the rest.. that's what you are paying them for anyway.

You already had enough psychological damage done.. no need to make any more headaches. Hope you get your car fixed soon.. yellow can be a difficult color to color match.

 

[Ground Beef]

If she actually will pay out of pocket.... find some high end body shops in your area and get a couple estimates. Also ask if the repair can be done and not reported to carfax.

Otherwise go the insurance route have good shop of your choice repair and make a diminished value claim after the repair is done.

I specifically asked one shop if they would report to Carfax, they told me if it goes through insurance, yes, otherwise, no

 

[Lendo]

How about replacing the door?

 

[Davedaveee]

File police report asap and hope you took any relevant pictures with her car included. Contact her insurance. Sorry to see this happen to another supra owner. People literally arent paying attention on the roads or parking lots. Pardon my language but fuck her promises.

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