Accident / x5 (Pics)

[bd3500]

Hello,

I was on my way home from work today and my X5 took a beating from someone who pulled in front of me which I T-boned. The person I hit was fine and no one was hurt which is the most important thing. Was really worried since my X totaled her car and both her air-bags deployed. It's amazing how well the X held up and I didn't even really feel anything besides like bumping into someone. My airbags did not deploy. I was travelling about 30 - 35 mph. The steering wheel is completely upside down right now when driving, so going to have to get it towed to dealer.

She was cited at fault and I just called my insurance company. My X5 is a 3.0 2002 with 121,000 miles which I have pampered and taken really good care of.

Damage doesn't look that bad, but it drives horrible and will be towed to repair shop. The steering wheel is completely upside down and although it doesn't look bad on mine, I am sure will be really $$$.

A couple of questions, since this is my first (hopefully last) accident:

1.) She was at-fault which Police documented. Should I file with her insurance (State Farm) or mine (Geico) and work to get reimbursed?

2.) In terms of body work, would you reccommend that I take to a dealer or a body shop? I think BMW of Fairfax has a collision center.

3.) Anything else I should know? I've babied this car and hope that the repairs will restore her to back to where she was

Thanks!

- Brent

[FSETH]

Glad to hear everyone is ok.

That is going to cost more to fix than you would think. I had some superficial body damage to the same general area; front quarter, wheel arch trim and front bumper. My total was over $2,200 when all was said and done. You have WAY more damage than that.

I would take it to the dealer with a collision center. In my case, the dealer I generally go to uses a body shop located even closer to me than the dealer itself, so I bypassed the dealer and took it directly to them. If you know where the dealers in your area send their cars, you can look into those places. I felt comfortable doing so becasue the shop I went to was also the perferred center for many other high end dealers in the area such as Lambo, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lotus, etc.

Good luck.

[bd3500]

Thanks for the quick reply, yeah that was my fear. The car is paid off and I am really happy with it, but looking at realoem, looks like it is going to be pricey considering steering is all messed up, wheel well, quarter panel, Hood is bent and won't open easily, some of the tubes/pipes in the engine bay are buster, inverter for the xenon head lights is hanging, headlight assembly is gone, bumper needs replaced, and thats just the stuff I can see...

Looks like car value is 14k(ish), hopefully repairs aren't above that...

[Weasel]

Hopefully the damage isn't that bad and they get it fixed up back to normal for you, and if the repair costs are over 75% and they total it just pretend you sold it for full retail value... to their insurance. And all you could hope for is to find another one in as good condition and as well cared for. Either way good luck!

[Boston X5 4.4]

1.) She was at-fault which Police documented. Should I file with her insurance (State Farm) or mine (Geico) and work to get reimbursed?
Contact you insurance and give them all the details.

2.) In terms of body work, would you recommend that I take to a dealer or a body shop? I think BMW of Fairfax has a collision center.
Call your (reputable) dealer and ask them what collision center they use/recommend.

3.) Anything else I should know? I've babied this car and hope that the repairs will restore her to back to where she was.
Looks like a lot of $$$$ and may be close to the 75%. Make sure there is no frame damage.

good luck!

[bimmerboy12]

Originally Posted by Boston X5 4.4

1.) She was at-fault which Police documented. Should I file with her insurance (State Farm) or mine (Geico) and work to get reimbursed?
Contact you insurance and give them all the details.

2.) In terms of body work, would you recommend that I take to a dealer or a body shop? I think BMW of Fairfax has a collision center.
Call your (reputable) dealer and ask them what collision center they use/recommend.

3.) Anything else I should know? I've babied this car and hope that the repairs will restore her to back to where she was.
Looks like a lot of $$$$ and may be close to the 75%. Make sure there is no frame damage.

good luck!

DO NOT get your insurance involved. Some insurance companies want to get involved to make money on something, when they shouldn't. The entire process should transpire with no involvement from your insurance.

[StanF18]

Originally Posted by bimmerboy12

DO NOT get your insurance involved. Some insurance companies want to get involved to make money on something, when they shouldn't. The entire process should transpire with no involvement from your insurance.

HUH?

OK, that makes like NO sense at all. Why would he go out-of-pocket for a $4,000+ repair? This is EXACTLY the time to rely on insurance. And regardless of who's fault it is, you always start off by calling your OWN insurance company to get everything documented by them. It does not matter if the other person's insurance company is responsible for footing the bill, you need your OWN insurance company to do the bidding on your behalf and have THEM chase down the other insurance company. This is a process called subrogation.

bd3500: I am very suprised that you had to deal with the other person's insurance company at all. GEICO should have been handling this and talking to the other insurance on their own, without getting you involved with State Farm. In this situation, State Farm is not interested in helping you, they are interested in helping their own insured. GEICO should have been the one to contact State Farm regarding subrogation, not you. Make sure you do not speak to State Farm ever again. If they contact you, tell them you have nothing to say and tell them to contact your insurance.

As far as OEM parts are concerned: the laws may vary by state. I know for a fact that in NJ you have every right to DEMAND OEM parts for your repair. Reputable body shops can, and do establish good rapport with the insurance adjusters, such that the automobile gets fixed to your liking and only with OEM parts.

You also have every right in NJ to request a body shop of your OWN choosing as long as they are officially licensed. Of course, the insurance company will still try to steer you to one of their pre-contracted body shops, but you are allowed to refuse and take it to one of your own choosing.

If they still have not started work on your car, I would call the local BMW dealer and ask which body shop they use for their newer models. Most BMW dealers only use reputable body shops that are experienced in working on high-end German makes. Then call that body shop directly (cut out the dealer) and explain the whole situation to them from start to finish. Again if the insurance law is the same as NJ, GEICO cannot refuse a body shop that you have chosen yourself.

FWIW, I have GEICO also. They took very good care of me when I was rear-ended a few years back and my X was brought back to mint condition using only OEM parts at a BMW-certified top-notch body shop.

Good luck!

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by StanF18

As far as OEM parts are concerned: the laws may vary by state. I know for a fact that in NJ you have every right to DEMAND OEM parts for your repair. Reputable body shops can, and do establish good rapport with the insurance adjusters, such that the automobile gets fixed to your liking and only with OEM parts.

You also have every right in NJ to request a body shop of your OWN choosing as long as they are officially licensed. Of course, the insurance company will still try to steer you to one of their pre-contracted body shops, but you are allowed to refuse and take it to one of your own choosing.

It also depends on what is actually in your insurance policy. MANY state that they have the right to use aftermarket or refurbished parts for repairs. It is very common.

I just went through something similar here in Georgia with The Hartford insurance company and yes, I was able to take it to the shop of my choice after I got an estimate from their preferred shop, but there was no way they were putting new parts on an 8 year old car with over 100k miles that was by no means limited production.

I suggest the O.P. read his insurance policy very thoroughly.

[flyingmachine]

Originally Posted by StanF18

HUH?

OK, that makes like NO sense at all. Why would he go out-of-pocket for a $4,000+ repair? This is EXACTLY the time to rely on insurance. And regardless of who's fault it is, you always start off by calling your OWN insurance company to get everything documented by them. It doesa not matter if the other person's insurance company winds up footing the bill, you need your OWN insurance company to take care of you in the process and have THEM chase down the other insurance company. This is a process called subrogation.

bd3500: I am very suprised that you had to deal with the other person's insurance company at all. GEICO should have been handling this and talking to the other insurance on their own, without getting you involved with State Farm. In this situation, State Farm is not interested in helping you, they are interested in helping their own insured. GEICO should have been the one to contact State Farm regarding subrogation, not you. Make sure you do not speak to State Farm ever again. If they contact you, tell them you have nothing to say and tell them to contact your insurance.

As far as OEM parts are concerned: the laws may vary by state. I know for a fact that in NJ you have every right to DEMAND OEM parts for your repair. Reputable body shops can, and do establish good rapport with the insurance adjusters, such that the automobile gets fixed to your liking and only with OEM parts.

You also have every right in NJ to request a body shop of your OWN choosing as long as they are officially licensed. The insurance company will still try to steer you to one of their pre-contracted body shops, but you are allowed to refuse and take it to one of your choosing.

If they still have not started work on your car, I would call the local BMW dealer and ask which body shop they use for their newer models. Most BMW dealers only use reputable body shops that are experienced in working on high-end German makes. Then call that body shop directly (cut out the dealer) and explain the whole situation to them from start to finish. Again if the insurance law is the same as NJ, GEICO cannot refuse a body shop that you have chosen yourself.

FWIW, I have GEICO also. They took very good care of me when I was rear-ended a few years back and my X was brought back to mint condition using only OEM parts at a BMW-certified top-notch body shop.

Good luck!

second that. you should get your insurance company involved and have them documented this. most likely, they will help you get the car repaired and then they will try to get reimbursed by the other party's insurance company without bothering you. remember to fax them police report that shows that you're at no fault. you may need to pay your deductible up front but they will reimburse you once other insurance company pays them back.

don't waste your time dealing with other party's insurance company. you're not their customer, they have 0 interest helping you to your satisfaction.

[bimmerboy12]

Originally Posted by StanF18

HUH?

OK, that makes like NO sense at all. Why would he go out-of-pocket for a $4,000+ repair? This is EXACTLY the time to rely on insurance. And regardless of who's fault it is, you always start off by calling your OWN insurance company to get everything documented by them. It does not matter if the other person's insurance company is responsible for footing the bill, you need your OWN insurance company to do the bidding on your behalf and have THEM chase down the other insurance company. This is a process called subrogation.

bd3500: I am very suprised that you had to deal with the other person's insurance company at all. GEICO should have been handling this and talking to the other insurance on their own, without getting you involved with State Farm. In this situation, State Farm is not interested in helping you, they are interested in helping their own insured. GEICO should have been the one to contact State Farm regarding subrogation, not you. Make sure you do not speak to State Farm ever again. If they contact you, tell them you have nothing to say and tell them to contact your insurance.

As far as OEM parts are concerned: the laws may vary by state. I know for a fact that in NJ you have every right to DEMAND OEM parts for your repair. Reputable body shops can, and do establish good rapport with the insurance adjusters, such that the automobile gets fixed to your liking and only with OEM parts.

You also have every right in NJ to request a body shop of your OWN choosing as long as they are officially licensed. Of course, the insurance company will still try to steer you to one of their pre-contracted body shops, but you are allowed to refuse and take it to one of your own choosing.

If they still have not started work on your car, I would call the local BMW dealer and ask which body shop they use for their newer models. Most BMW dealers only use reputable body shops that are experienced in working on high-end German makes. Then call that body shop directly (cut out the dealer) and explain the whole situation to them from start to finish. Again if the insurance law is the same as NJ, GEICO cannot refuse a body shop that you have chosen yourself.

FWIW, I have GEICO also. They took very good care of me when I was rear-ended a few years back and my X was brought back to mint condition using only OEM parts at a BMW-certified top-notch body shop.

Good luck!

HUH? ok been in many wrecks and never had my insurance involved, if they settled for me, I would be screwed. Nobody looks after me like i do. to each his own. good luck.