2005-2006 JCW mini?

 

Ashboomstick

Sorry to see the tragic result of someone's distractions. Bet even money she was on the cell talking to BFF. On the high side, Freddie and you are fine, but your Mini's history. BTW, you're handling this WWWWAAAAYY better than I would, specially if my pup were in the car. There is some cool stuff about the R56.

tommyspitfire
and
Charlie the 03 MC, Indi Blue/White

 

That's what I asked earlier. Any word from the police investigation ashboomstick?

 

that is terrible. Very sorry

 

here's the info I found on the Geico website:
PRIOR DAMAGE NOTES:
NONE

PARTS 4910.78
BODY LABOR 53.9 HRS @$ 38.00/HR 2048.20
PAINT LABOR 23.2 HRS @$ 38.00/HR 881.60
MECHANICAL LABOR 9.9 HRS @$ 62.00/HR 613.80
FRAME LABOR 4.5 HRS @$ 45.00/HR 202.50
PAINT SUPPLIES 350.00
SUBLET/MISC. 103.95
OTHER CHARGES 3.00
----------------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL $ 9113.83
SALES TAX $ 5265.78 @ 5.0000% 263.29
----------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS $ 9377.12

ADJUSTMENTS:
DEDUCTIBLE 500.00
LR GDYR 205/45R17 EAGLE R B55% 185.71
----------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ADJUSTMENTS $ 685.71
NET COST OF REPAIRS $ 8691.41


========================== Vehicle Valuation Summary ==========================

Local Market Value $ 20,325.00
___________
Pre-tax amount $ 20,325.00
Vehicular Sales Tax 3.00% + 609.75

License/fees (if applicable)
Title Fee + 10.00
Tag Fee + 2.00
___________
Value before deductible $ 20,946.75
DEDUCTIBLE - 500.00
___________
Adjusted vehicle valuation amount $ 20,446.75


I wouldn't mind the "total" so much...but having to shell out 8K for a new one...not so much fun.

 

OK, so maybe its the couple of beers I just had but what does this mean?

 

$ 8691.41 worth of repairs if it's fixable.

$ 20,446.75 coming to me if it's not.


I guess it is a little hard to read through all that crap. Especially when you're drinking, you lush.

 

Was that estimate written before or after tear-down? If before, as I suspect, it's gonna go way up! I don't see 4.5 hrs frame time as nearly enough to account for the mangled frame (floor) rails.

ETA: How many miles on your MINI? I just noticed they're charging you 55% betterment on the tire.
Does $20300 seem a little light for the value? Had to be over $25k sticker.

 

This was before. I thought is sounded low too, but hey I'm not an adjuster.

I have/had 25,000 miles on my Mini, and have had it just shy of a year. It was, after all the options and whatnot, $28K. So of course $20K seems low to me! I would luuuvv to get a $25K payoff; would make getting a $28-30K car easier to swallow.

 

Don't forget that you don't have to accept the insurance adjusters first offer.
And you can demand new parts not refurbished.
I don't know your states insurance laws but you may have other rights that may affect the amount you receive from your insurance compay.
In my past experience the insurance company has tried to low ball repairs and payouts and even tired using refurbished parts.
Know your rights.. Be prepared.. And good luck!

 

We had a recent fender-bender (relatively minor) on our minivan - original estimate was about $2K. Then after the tear-down they kept finding things. Ended up costing the insurance company more (including rental car, etc.) than if they had just totalled it in the first place. (More like $6K - repair cost tripled).

Also - you need to play the dimished value card HARD - because I personally wouldn't pay you $20K for THAT car after that much reconditioning, and uncertain resulting frame condition, etc. Talk with your dealer about what trade in value would be on that car after at $9,000 collision repair and see what they say.

 

What's the next step to see if it's fixable? It sure sounds like a low estimate based on the damage. Second opinion/estimate possible?

 

Suddenly its all clear to me....this morning You need to push back on the adjuster, that quote needs to come up! Clearly they dont understand MINI's

 

Next step is a complete tear-down to examine for damage not listed on the original estimate, and come up with a corrected, more accurate version.
Does VA have public adjusters? If so, you might consider hiring one to protect your interests. Also, is the repair shop one that your MINI dealer uses, or one that Geico likes?

 

The adjuster was one of Geico's and the bodyshop is one that was recommended by Geico. Their work is guaranteed for the life of the car, for what it's worth.

Blimey- enither would I. But apparently diminished value doesn't come into play unless I go to sel the car. And if it's not totalled, I'm probably not gonna get rid of it until it's dead.

The body shop is closed today ad won't be open until Monday morning, so i'll find out the post-teardown adjustment of the damage estimate then.

Interesting sidenote: Turcicus works at a crime lab here in Richmond and wants to get some paint samples for some international paint anaysis database. I guess to catch hit-and-run perps or something. Since Royal Gray is a pretty rare color, and there (maybe) haven't been any wrecked yet, there probably aren't any in the database. So I'm helping out the greater good by getting some samples for him. (God knows I've got enough bumper fragments to give him...)

 

Ash, "pet" repairs shops have been known to overlook damage in order to get repairs started; then they notice it, but it's too late to stop and total the car. You end up with a repaired total, they get a bunch of money. Guess who comes out better in that deal.
Has the other party's insurance made an appearance yet? (note: this is a very important question, one that could be financially beneficial/ harmful to you)
Feel free to PM me if you think I can be of any help.

 

Has the dealer seen the car? You'd probably get a way higher estimate there, and how could they fight it? You don't even know if the Geico shop has ever seen a MINI!

 

At least you have a good sense of humor about a totally horrid accident. I'm shocked that the airbags didn't deploy as hard as the girl obviously hit you. I'm glad you're okay and your beagle. I used to always strap my little yorkie in when she drove with me. It looks worse than my son's S-10 when he was hit mid-section and it was totaled. Good luck with the insurance co.

 

that certainly sounds possible...

I don't believe that another adjuster has seen the car. I really wasn't aware that the other person's adjuster would come to check it out. Is this typical?

 

Not just possible, it happens a lot. Having spent 15 years in the claims/repair biz, I've seen a good many of the tricks of the trade.
The other party's insurance co should also look at your car, as they will ultimately be paying for the repairs. Here's where a little experience pays off: As a 1st party insured, you and your insurer are limited by the wording of your policy. If the policy says they can specify aftermarket/ LKQ parts, then that's what you'll get. If your policy says limit of $15/day for rental car, again, that's what you'll get. And so on.
As a 3rd party claimant, none of this applies. You have no contract (policy) with that carrier so limitations are out the window. Want a MINI rental? Just ask (well, demand). Don't like the shop? Have it moved to a MINI specialist. (consider doing this anyway). Medical expenses are more easily recovered. Loss of use, loss of wages, diminished value, etc are not limited by policy language.
The 3rd party carrier will be more than happy to sit back and let your company handle it, because they know it will save them money. Insist that they take responsibility for dealing with the repair shop, etc. If they drag their feet, suggest that you might be needing to get an attorney to represent you. Total cost of settlement then jumps by 40%. They don't like that. Makes them a little easier to deal with.

Sorry, I know that's a lot of info to dump on you at one time. Just trying to help a fellow MINIac.

 

^ for the Monday update

 

I 've often wondered how the car will handle a rear collision.......the figure you gave of 45 mph, is that your estimate or was that the police report?

thanks......and glad to hear that you and the wonder-dog are OK

 

I can't say definitely it was exactly 45 m.p.h., but the rate that she was coming in on me it was pretty damn close. She certainly wasn't going 35! The distance that she traveled across the road and into the median after she hit me supports that.

I talked to the body shop manager this morning. They found some more damage (surprise, right?) They couldn't get the car into the garage to tear it down, so they had to do it in the parking lot. The reason for this was apparently the left drive axle popped out (?!?) in the collision. The rear floor pan, driver's door and other minor stuff needs to be replaced.

I doubt this'll result in a total though. The shop manager said that Geico is the most likely company to total a car, but their threshold of pain is damage that's 75% value of the car, and I'd need another 6K of damage to meet that.

 

What about the dealer--that surely would be more expensive, wouldn't it? And how could the insurance company fight that?

 

That was my first question...if it was repaired by anyone but the dealer, would your warranty be void? And if so, how much is that worth to you $'wise?

I really hate having to deal with insurance stuff...I feel so violated afterwards