Just got back from a great week-long or so vacation. Good times and happiness abound. Then we got home and discovered that the some idiot slashed two sides of my convertible top open..... So right now I have two gaping, rectangular holes over the passenger and driver seat. Nothing stolen, everything was where I left it. No other damage to the car at all. The car was parked on the upper-level of our gated parking garage, next to the elevator.

Steps I took in order were to call the police, called the association for our complex, and then the insurance company. The insurance company called me back a few hours after filing a claim. I told them I wanted the dealership to do the work since I'm pretty sure you won't be able to patch it up or just replace the cloth. Was it a good move on insisting to use the dealership where I purchased the car? The insurance company wants me to verify that they actually do the work and they don't contract or sublet it out. I've been trying all day to get in touch with the Service Dept but from what people have been telling me on the phone, the service dept is extremely busy right now. So this is the step I'm at right now. I'll update as it progresses.

Is there anything I should look out for or be wary of when dealing with the insurance company and the dealership regarding the repair or replacement of my poor roof? Is it standard for them to replace the entire roof in this instance? Is it standard for insurance companies to cover the cost of a rental car since I need to get back to work in a couple of days?

Any insight or advice would greatly be appreciated!

 

Ouch! This type of crap makes me SO mad...I'm so sorry!!

To date, I've not heard of MINI sending the work out to be done - it's all done at the dealership. This will most definitely require a complete new top. Once a top has been damaged like this, patching is out of the question.

Please keep us posted as things progress....and get ready to sit down - I've heard the cost to replace a top is pretty expensive - thank goodness for car insurance!!

Are there cameras in the parking garage? Does your insurance policy have the option for a rental car?

Donna

 

Now its time to change colors, look on the bright side green or blue!

 

A temporary rental car might be covered, if you opted for rental reimbursement in your policy. It's usually an option.

 

Strange ever since I became a MINI owner I have been vandalized egged, windows shot out, all kinds of mean stuff I suspect its the VW owner across the street.

 

SkyZero... I think the most important thing is that the insurance company doesn't get to say who does the work... whether the dealer sublets it out or not... is no matter... they are worried about being cheap.. sure... but all in all I doubt if the whole top has to be replaced the dealer is going to sublet that work... they are just going to replace it... and using them is key so that it's OEM...

all in all you are doing the right thing... jsut don't let them scare you into doing something you do not feel good about.

 

Does any other supplier make MINI convertible tops??
I think dealer is the best and those tops are expensive.

 

Thanks for the replies! There are cameras in the parking garage but they only cover the entrances. The association did say they will be installing more cameras soon. My policy didn't cover rentals, so I ended up picking up my old car from my parents' place.

I dropped the MINI off at the dealership Tuesday afternoon and the insurance guy was supposed to check out the car yesterday morning and give me a call afterwards. Didn't get a call yet so I'll be checking with them on my lunch later today.

 

When vandals pryed my spoiler off my new Saturn in 1994 the decision was made to replace the trunk lid (was destroyed) but not the spoiler since I feared the same a**hole would be back to do it again. Expensive proposition in your case, but trading the car in for a hardtop might save you a lot of headaches. Then again I suppose it could get messed with just as easily....

 

Just got a call back from the insurance guy. Seems they are having a bit of a disagreement with the dealership in terms of labor fees. The dealership is wanting to charge $100+ per hour in replacing the top for about 8 hours. The insurance guy is telling me the "computer" is saying it should only be $40ish per hour for about 12 hours. He said he called around and located a shop in our area that would replace the top for $600. I stressed that I wanted the dealership to do the work due to OEM, warranty, etc. concerns and I don't want to rely on a 3rd party for the repairs. He said he would talk to the supervisor and "see what he can do". I then again stressed that I wanted the work done by the dealership and I just finished talking to someone else from the insurance company where they assured me I would only be paying the deductible for work to be done. I am now waiting to here a call back from him. If I do not receive a call back today, I will attempt to get in touch with the nice, helpful lady tomorrow that told me I'd be paying the deductible only. The game begins...

 

as i just got my car from the repair shop i know the only thing you have to pay is the deductible. anything else is the insurance company ripping you off

 

That sucks!