Actually you should ask them! www.outmotoring.com has the body kits at
a great deal.

not sure how to calculate diminished value....but considering it's a
minor fix (they'll probably just get you a new hood and hatch anyways)
there might not be much of a diminished value... humm... how about a
CF hood?

 

yeah I'm not sure how the diminished value is calculated. It's like the unspoken word in the insurance business. But seriously, if I were to try and get the Aero Kit. How would I work that out to have them get that as replacement parts instead of just the OE stuff? I'd have to act now as it's at the body shop as we speak. But being the holidays I'm not sure how soon they'll start on it.

 

What you can do is find out how much the bodyshop's suppliers are
charging for the new stock bumpers. then see if it is the same or less vs
the aero bumper. if the repair would cost more, you can talk to the
bodyshop and your insurance agent that you want to pay the extra
to get the aero kit instead.

the side skirt would be handled separately outside this claim.

 

and now, you're my hero

 

They write up the estimate for what it would cost to put the vehicle in "pre-accident" condition and issue payment. You then apply that to the cost of replacing the front and rear bumpers with the A/K.

As for diminshed value, each company handles is differently. Basically, after the vehicle is repaired you have the sales manager at Mini tell you how much negative impact the crash will have on it's trade in value, vs a similar Mini that had never been damaged. The amount it decreased in value by virture of being in an accident is the diminshed value. Again, different insurance companies handle this differently. They may send their own guy to look at it and he will give a figure substantially lower than what the sales manager gives you, then the negotiation begins.

And you definitely need to get checked out by a doctor. Even after the doctor takes x-rays and says "you're just sore, you'll be fine", give it a few weeks before you settle (if you pursue an injury claim). Soft tissue strain/sprain injuries do not show up on an x-ray, only an MRI can show if there is a disc injury.

As for the $15 per day deal, many/most insurance companies offer more rental reimbursement coverage, so ask your agent. You can purchase coverage of $20, $30 sometimes even $40 per day.

All that info, and I didn't even stay at a Holiday Inn last night!

 

Thanks for the info. So I basically just wait until they tell me how much the repairs are? Then I can say I'd rather have the front aero kit bumper, and depending on price difference I'll cover the rest or if it's the same I pay nothing.

Should I go ahead and contact this guys insurance company tomorrow and state I want to file a diminished value claim? I know there are companies out there that do the inspection.

 

yah, until the bodyshop physically starts working on the car they can
only give you a rough estimate on how much work there is involved.

But you should note to your insurance co the price of the aero bumper
(front and rear) and let them know that you would be willing to pay
the difference if the body shop's OE bumper (new ones ofcourse, don't
let them talk you into a refurb one) is a tad less. once the ins co
agrees to that, note what you are doing to the bodyshop while
giving them exact store names, prices, part numbers to get the
aero bumper to the shop.

the bodyshop should be able to give you a daily update on the
progress and exact prices on how much the replacement parts are
while they are working on your car.

While doing so, just ask them to paint the sideskirts are a discounted
price as they already have the matching paint, etc available.

lots of things need to happen simultaneously, huh? (while while while)
just need to coordinate in a timely manner and you should be able to
do it no prob. goodluck.

 

Glad to hear your ok. I'm going through my own woes with my MINI
loss just stay on top of your insurance co.

Studog

 

Thanks, I know it's tough.


Kenchan- Thanks again, I will see what I can work out. But honestly I don't know if I like the sideskirts and rear bumper. The only part that strikes me is the front bumper and Aero grille. So I may just keep the OE rear and do the Aero front. We'll see.

 

Sorry to hear about your car dude. On the brighter side, at least you don't have to wait to get your car fixed...
The attached pictures was courtesy of Hurricane Wilma that b***h!
I can't even get a body shop to look at it because of the backlog of work...
That was a "do not enter" sign that hit my hood and creased it....
Of course the POS toyota corrolla and Kia Minivan that parked next to my car in my complex were unscathed...
Best of luck and glad your okay, I hope you get the kit on your car to make it better than before...(small consolation prize for having to drive a neon:impatient YUKKKKK)

 

Thanks, yeah you're situation sounds a lot worse so I'm grateful. I think the JCW package would be a small consolation for me having to drive a Neon. haha.. Makes me appreciate the Mini even more.

 

Big bummer, sorry to hear that... I can relate; about a week after paying off my beloved '02 Jeep Wrangler an older lady decided to attempt suicide by turning left in front of me while I had the green light - going 45mph straight through the intersection.

Instantly $8,000.00 in damages. The body shop repaired it nicely. Now it's in retirement at a Daytona car rental place, thanks to eBay. I've always felt "violated" by that one accident in my 25 years of driving... but my '05 MCS has happily taken over my love for the road. :-)

Hang in there, you'll get your baby back soon.

 

Yeah I hope I get it back soon, I'm having withdrawal. I hope to hear from the bodyshop tomorrow and get some kind of time frame.

 

Dont worry.. It will all be over soon
and I feel your pain... I killed my 3 day old MINI a month ago (or so) and Im still waiting to get her back... sigh.

 

Well I talked to the bodyshop today, as of right now the damage totals $3,864.36 and he said it will probably go up. Time frame, 20 days.

 

Gee, I was just reading your thread, Vento: I'm really sorry to hear about you and your poor mini...I hope that your insurance will pick up most of the large tab, and that it will be sooner than 20 days!

 

That's because you can't drive. How'd you get your licsense anyway? You know I love you Queen... I don't know how you do some of the things you do! Miss you in CA.

 

Ouch! Sorry you were hit today but glad you are okay. Hope your repairs are done well ...

 

Sorry to read about your accident, and am glad to read you are ok!

As I mentioned elsewhere, my car got side swiped by a SUV 6 weeks ago. I just got it back today.

As far as the diminished value, I think we should work together on this. What I have done is...

1. Got an appraisal from autoloss.com
2. Looked at kbb.com. Print the reatil value of the car first. Then, go back and determine the trade-in value of the car using the "rate it" button. Then print that page. In my case, the difference between the two is $8,900 due to the severity of the damage.
3. Got a statement from a dealer about how much the car is worth to them.

I submitted those three things to the other driver's insurance carrier. They asked to be able to see the car once it is finished and have their appraiser render an opinion. I agreed to this procedure.

If they refuse to settle I will sue the other driver. As a lawyer, I can do this with minimal cost to me. The other driver will then cross-complain agianst the insurance carrier for bad faith failure to settle within policy limits. They will end-up settling.

Due to the unique nature of the Mini, I think that all of us who have been in accidents should collaborate on the diminished value point. I think that together we can build a strong argument. Since I do not do this kind of law my only interest is in settling my diminished value claim. Let me know if you would like to work together.

Again... I am glad you are ok!

 

Red05MCS, working together on this is a great idea. Since I haven't gotten an actual bill for the repairs I can't get a diminished value claim yet. But I did mention it to the other insurance company. They said "oh well thats something you'll have to talk to you're insurance company about." Yeah right.

So as soon as the car is fixed, like you did I'm going to get it appraised by the dealer to get a figure to work off of. Then I'm going to send them a letter in which they have 10 days to respond to as to whether they will take my proposal. Whatever ammount that may be. If they give me a hard time I'm going straight to the source. Which will be the company of the guy that hit me. I'll have a nice chat with the owner of the company.

My deductable is $1000, so after the other insurance company settles with mine then that will be waved. I still need reinbursement for rental expenses as well.

I'll keep you updated.

 

I'm bringing this back because I finally got my car, after 44 days of hell. I'm so happy to have it back, and the bodyshop did an outstanding job. Thank you for everyones input!

 

A pic of my Mini...

 

happy for you Vento9

 

Did you give up on the diminished value claim?

 

Congrats on getting your car back! Looking good! Now, just park it forever :-)