[TrucksNCoffee]

I was sitting in my '97 Chevy pickup at a red light yesterday at 8:35 AM, number two in the lane waiting for a green light. Eyes ahead, it's been a long red and it'll change any moment. Foot solidly on the brake when BUMP! from behind.

Put the transmission in park, parking brake on, 4-way flashers on, turn the engine off. I'm not hurt. I LOVE full-sized pickup trucks! I got out and saw this:





He's insured, thank the Lord. (Uninsured drivers are a HUGE problem in New Mexico.) His Nissan Versa is probably totaled. My rear bumper is pushed in just a bit on the left end. Some small cosmetic damage that took an auto body repair estimator to really see and document. Frame, suspension, etc. are all fine. Estimate from Quanz for fully repairing it back to like new condition, including new bumper, paint and clear coat (that's how nice this truck is that I've had for four months): $1900.

Do I have to have it repaired at a body shop of the choice of his insurance?

Do I have the right to take a cash settlement in the amount of the estimate, on the premise that I will repair it myself?

Is there anything I should be aware of in the coming weeks or months? I've heard the stories about insurance companies trying to shortchange or hoodwink accident victims, in order to save money.

Advice, experiences, and your thoughts welcomed.

 

[coopercdrkey]

Have the licensed insurance adjuster specified by his insurance company work up the repair estimate. It may be very close to the number your repair guy came up with. If not, you may have to use a repair facility that is approved to accept the amount he authorized.

If that facility is not acceptable to you, and you choose to use your guy, you may have to come up with the difference.

In my experience, the option to take cash in lieu of repair is not likely, but YMMV.

Good luck.

 

[Ickthus]

Submit two estimates from YOUR choosing. You will be asked (most times) to see THEIR adjustor. Offer will be made or they will ok your guy. They refuse to use one of your guys or you do not like their offer it's time to lawyer up. I never use "their" repair shop. I have a guy i grew up with that has a shop. He is well known and insurance does not balk at his prices or work. Now the part they will not talk about or want to pay unless they know you are not a newbie. Loss of depreciation on resale now that it has a record of repair. Yes that money is real and due to you. It's the hidden cost they like to pocket.

 

[coopercdrkey]

Good one! I learned something new today! ^^^^^^

 

[GhostHorse]

:soapbox::icon_cussing::grrr:

That truck is in amazing shape! {I've seen it in person, folks.} If you're not furious, you are a remarkable man.

Of course, dinging your truck and totaling his car does add some humor to it..... Glad you're okay.

I'd get a couple of estimates, make sure they are all in the same ball park, and then get it fixed. That truck is too nice to just pocket the cash, even if you can.

 

[TrucksNCoffee]

:soapbox::icon_cussing::grrr:

That truck is in amazing shape! {I've seen it in person, folks.} If you're not furious, you are a remarkable man.

Of course, dinging your truck and totaling his car does add some humor to it..... Glad you're okay.

I'd get a couple of estimates, make sure they are all in the same ball park, and then get it fixed. That truck is too nice to just pocket the cash, even if you can.

That's what my wife says, too. What I'd really like to do is get a black painted or powder coated bumper instead of a chrome plated bumper. I suppose I can talk to the repair shop that ends up doing the work and see if that's possible, providing the cost is the same.

 

[RonPT24/7]

You should be able to choose which body shop you want to use . It’s the Nissans fault , period .

 

[jspdrcrmach5]

You have the legal right to choose the shop that does the work, the at fault driver's Insurance cannot tell You where to have Your vehicle repaired.
Most shops and insurance companies use the same software to do repair estimates so any shop You take it to in the same area will have similar estimates.
Any custom work You wanted done would have to be negotiated with the shop and if there is any difference in price it would probably have to come out of Your pocket.

 

[Car_Doc]

Since you.own the truck outright, they should not balk at cutting you a check.
But, as nice as that truck is, I'd definitely get it fixed. Just my .02.

 

[TrucksNCoffee]

Since you.own the truck outright, they should not balk at cutting you a check.
But, as nice as that truck is, I'd definitely get it fixed. Just my .02.

Yeah, I think I will get it fixed. It's just that it came with a really nice Ranch Hand front bumper in black, and I'd like the rear bumper to be black, too.

 

[NotSo]

Check your state's law. My experience is, his insurance sends an adjuster to estimate repair costs. You might also take it to whomever you would have it repaired by for their estimate. But his company can only recommend a repair shop, again unless your state's law is different. Your repair shop is a good source of info on how to navigate the claim.

 

[kschilk]

Did they blame it on the floormats?

 

[TrucksNCoffee]

He said his foot slipped off the brake pedal. :icon_rolleyes:

 

[kschilk]

He said his foot slipped off the brake pedal. :icon_rolleyes:

:dunno:...on the upside, you took one of those ugly li'l things off the road.

 

[TrucksNCoffee]

I forgot to ask - His insurance should pay for a car rental for me while my truck is in the body shop, right?

 

[NotSo]

I forgot to ask - His insurance should pay for a car rental for me while my truck is in the body shop, right?

Similar situation, they paid me about $30.00 per day. Really small car unless you pay the difference.

 

[jonrjen]

NOW, the way that I look at it is: You were sitting at a full stop at a red light. You got hit from behind. I would guess that you can get whatever settlement you ask for within reason in exchange for a complete liability release.

FWIW, the damage to his car shows that if his foot slipped off of the brake he was still traveling 35mph or better at the time of impact.

 

[jonrjen]

And keep in mind that when talking to his insurance company don't be that fun friendly easy going guy...or they will try to walk all over you. Be firm and business like, keep in mind that it is nothing personal to anyone other than yourself.

Do not mention talking to a lawyer as a fact or threat. If you mention legal representation all communications will cease until your lawyer actually gets involved.

 

[dennisturner]

Yes, they will pay for your rental while yours is in the shop. You might consider having the shop fix the body damage and replacing the bumper yourself with a black one. Bumpers are pretty easy to install on most trucks - just a few bolts assuming the attachment point isn't bent. If it is bent the shop can fix that for you, too. We ordered my son's black bumper online, and he installed it by himself at the age of 15. That's how easy it was. If I remember right the bumper was less than $300 shipped.

 

[Ickthus]

I forgot to ask - His insurance should pay for a car rental for me while my truck is in the body shop, right?

If his policy is written that way. Your insurance might cover it if you have full coverage. Ask, alway ask. Failure to tell you or disclose is lack of faith. Judges can award mo money for this highanus act.