So, the saga continues. I'm talking about having
my bumper smashed (see thread: depreciation).

I get just a tad over $600 in the form of a check
from the insurance company. The estimate is
about $780 from an indy shop. I figure my options are to sue or
to fix it myself except for the painting, and move on with
my life. I prefer to move on with my life.

So, the plan is, take a 1/2 day off from work, drive the
250 miles to pick the bumper up (shipping is almost $100).
Take the bumper off Christmas. I would like to have it
not take me the entire day. So my question is:

How to get the bumper off in the most efficient manner?
There are lots of little clips. I am not sure if you need
a special tool. I'll just bang out the dented heat shield and
bracket. For sure my 'new' car isn't new now.

I will be cancelling directtv the day my contract is up.

 

Why isn't the insurance paying for the whole thing?

 

Because The Man needs me to make his lambroghini payment, AGAIN

 

whatever...........just asked

 

The basic jist of it is The Man does a drive by estimate, etc.
Makes a big deal about how the check goes to the shop directly, etc.

I go to the shop and get an in person estimate. There is damage
to the heat sheild, shock, and bumper bracket. The shop contacts
the insurance company and sends them the "real" estimate.

I get a check, which they said they were unwilling to do (originally).

I didn't mean to sound like an A$$ before.

I'm just angry as this is the 3rd time in a year (different cars).
I thought I got clever this time and knew I needed to take it
to a professional to have hidden damage examined and documented.

I agree: I would be a happier person if I could just accept that
no matter what I do it's not in God's plan for my life to have
anything nice.

 

I am not sure how the insurance company can't be held resposible for all the damage done by the van driver. Have you talked to your insurance guy about this?

I wished I could be more help. Sorry about the problems. Hope things get better, the new year is just around the corner.

 

I've done the calculation.
The best I can do is to minimize my loss of time, money and energy.
I took the check to the bank, I'll order the bumper today, take
saturday to go get it, then wed drop it off at the shop to be
painted, pick it up friday, then two saturdays from now try to
swap bumpers. I'm sure I'll figure out a way to bend everything
under the car back to normal. I had an MG before this one
can't be that bad

Then just move forward with my life.
I honestly have other things to do.