Rear ended, pictures and questions regarding the damage

ouch! sorry. in mass, when it is the other persons fault, there is no deductible. is that not true in jersey?

 

I would take it to a good body shop (ask friends/neighbors who have collector cars) which is approved for use by your insurance company and let them work it out. The shop will carefully inspect the car and provide a full estimate to the insurance company. There is often hidden damage that is not seen until they take things apart. A good shop will also do careful paint matching so the repair is not apparent.

 

I'd suggest that you spend a few minutes reading your policy as well as finding some info on both NY and NJ insurance regulations. I have GEICO and all of my documents are available online so you should be able to get everything pretty easily online. This will arm you with the best info possible before you meet the insurance adjuster.

Someone mentioned hidden damage - typically the adjuster will write up the repair but once the body shop is able to pull the car apart they will handle it from there. If there is additional damage they will get an authorization from the insurance company. I had this happen to me, it was a fairly major issue and the adjuster went back to inspect it. It was all handled by the body shop and insurance company with no muss or fuss, the only issue is it added a few days to the repair.

I went through it just after moving to PA so I just went to the local dealer - I figured that they would be as good a choice as any and also would also be the best folks to handle it if there were any funky hybrid issues with the car. I had a terrific choice - the body shop was terrific even though I have had pretty poor experiences with the dealer itself.

 

That looks bad. 1k deductible is a lot but the damage is a lot more, IMO.
I had a small bump, just a paint scrape but the their car went under my Prius that did damage and the insurance gave me a quote of 1140.00. Half was labor the other half was all OEM parts.

Make sure the exhaust system is included. That pipe and hangers go all the way to the front and that could be all crinkled, I suspect. Also make sure they cover the collapsible white foam in the bumper.

Sorry to see it.

 

Do you see any visible damage inside the vehicle? Remove the triangle false floor cover over the aux battery. I would actually remove the whole false floor. It is really easy, the same as if you were changing a spare tire. Take out the 2 corner triangles, unlock the main cover, that folds up and slides out. The crap-storing-tray just lifts up in full. That should give you a clear view.

The 12v battery vent is down there. And as someone mentioned the exhaust is awfully close to that.

Usually you are surprised by the amount. I would suggest not having the insurance agent just write you a personal cheque now. Take it to a body shop, have them work with the insurance company. That way you only get billed your deductible and the body shop and insurance company fight over the details. Otherwise you are going to be in the situation to resolve issues, and there will be. If something new is found, or they have to respray that side to colour match, I would rather have the body shop tell the insurance company that and bill them, then to bill you and have you ask your insurance company. That will then spin off a new claims agent looking at the car, blah blah blah.

And not to mention that any money over the amount you collect from the insurance company not put towards repair with your full deductible is insurance fraud...

 

unit333, you seem to have received some bad info. In NJ the at fault driver is responsible. Collision insurance covers damage to the insured's car. This is optional. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to the insured's car against other-than-collision damage. This is also optional. Liability insurance covers damage caused to others. It is not optional.

By going through your insurance then yes, you'll have to cover your deductible. The other insurance company will reimburse you with a check.

I presume you also have uninsured/underinsured insurance.

In my not-expert opinion I think you'll find more than bumper cover damage.

 

Geico often has their "approved body shops" it might make sense to use one of their shops, might give you more leverage if there is hidden damage.

 

My Prius was hit hard and a bit higher than what yours was and they had to replace the exaust, floor pan, piece of frame and the works. A lot of stuff can get bent that an appraiser won't see. It's all good and well they want to come out, but take it to a shop after.

Take it to an approved shop if they have some, in the event there are repair issues geico will have to help you follow up with the body shop.

You'll most likely have to go after the individual themselves for your deductible, as well as for the diminished value. I bet its about $5k all together they will owe you, small claims court would be best and you wouldn't need a lawyer.

I'm gonna guess that as long as the rear floor pan isn't bent, and as long as your gaps inbetween your passenger side doors aren't off (there is no frame damage,) repairs will be in the $6k-$8k range. Possibly lower if they managed to miss anything vital.

 

They won't be able to get you diminished value though and for a bit of time and paperwork you can get a decent amount for what you've lost. But if you plan on keeping the car until the wheels fall off then you won't be out any money.

 

You can contact a dealer after the repairs are made and its marked on carfax as having been in an accident. They can tell you what its value you is now and what it would have been had it had a clear title. Keep in mind thats only trade in value, private party value is always more. Chances are its somewhere around 2k-4k loss in value. Again that number goes up if there is structurual damage. There are also diminished value experts, you want one that comes out to look at the car after the repairs are made, that can cost $200-$400 depending on who you get. Do NOT pay for a desk appraisal. You can add in your deductible if the insurance can't get it back for you too.

 

Glad you are ok, sorry that happened to you.
Thank you for the lesson, I wasn't planning on it, but now I know never to drive in NJ.

 

Make an effort to reduce deductible to $250 asap.
Normally not too much more on a monthly basis.
Takes a lot of the sting out of situations like this.

 

Even a $500 deductible would be better. I'm still sure I follow exactly whats happened as far as the at fault party and their insurance or lack of. Did they have liability or not? Do you have underinsured/uninsured coverage on your policy?