Ice Damage - Possible total loss

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Rush

That's not really in question. As far as it was explained to me, the ice (water expands as it freezes) caused damage that otherwise would not have happened. And again, I don't know all the details yet, but it was the icing and ICE that blocked the drains, hence the damage.

The car is long since paid for, and yes, I carry comprehensive for precisely this reason. It's not that expensive per year, and if I had to do this on my own, the car is scrap, no questions asked. Assuming of course, that the bill would run into the 75% range of the value of the car. I don't have that kind of money available to repair it.

That may still be the outcome. I would never have thought to call the insurance company, the shop said it was claimable damage.

Thanks.

Since the car was at their shop shouldn't they bear responsibility for it? After all they could have left a window open or in the case of the Mini Cooper that I was looking at the sun roof was left opened and it happen to storm that night so the water shorted out the brain to the computer. Perhaps the shop is hoping that your insurance company would shoulder the claim and not their. Yes water does expand when it freezes and if the drain line was clogged how would the water get to the front of the car? Most of the time with clogged sun roof drains, the rear cubby is where the water accumulates taking out the stereo amp and any other electrical equipment in the cubby.. I would check the rear cubby area for wetness. Something doesn't seems to add up. I would be more incline to believe that someone may had connect a charger or battery backward when they tried to start the car. It doesn't take but a split nano second to do irreparable damage to the electrical system.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

This.

What specific electronic components were damaged?

That's also a good question.

[spongerich]

I'm gonna be the contrarian here... I don't know that I'd want to own any modern car, let alone a BMW that's got known electrical issues. You could be setting yourself up for a string of expensive failures. If other modules got wet, they might be working OK now, only to slowly corrode from the inside as time passes.

If your insurance company will give you a decent pay out, I'd seriously consider taking it and looking for another 4.6 or 4.8 to replace it with. Don't let an emotional attachment to that particular car cloud your judgement.

[jdstrickland]

It seems odd to me that your car can be destroyed because it is parked outside in a snow storm. Something here does not pass the smell test.

The insurance coverage, if there is any, will be through the comprehensive coverage on the policy. People would carry full coverage on a vehicle that is reasonably valuable and that want to protect the downside cost of an accident that might be their own fault. It makes sense to pay $400 per year for coverage on a car that might be worth $10k to replace. It makes less sense to pay $400 for a car that's worth $5000.

Insurance is about protecting one's own investment/interests. The bank will require you to have insurance, but after your relationship with the bank ends then you still would want to protect yourself, maybe.

[Rush]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Since the car was at their shop shouldn't they bear responsibility for it? After all they could have left a window open or in the case of the Mini Cooper that I was looking at the sun roof was left opened and it happen to storm that night so the water shorted out the brain to the computer. Perhaps the shop is hoping that your insurance company would shoulder the claim and not their. Yes water does expand when it freezes and if the drain line was clogged how would the water get to the front of the car? Most of the time with clogged sun roof drains, the rear cubby is where the water accumulates taking out the stereo amp and any other electrical equipment in the cubby.. I would check the rear cubby area for wetness. Something doesn't seems to add up. I would be more incline to believe that someone may had connect a charger or battery backward when they tried to start the car. It doesn't take but a split nano second to do irreparable damage to the electrical system.

Sorry, I was unclear, it was parked outside at home, nothing to do with the repair shop, that came after.

Beyond that, I just don't know yet.

[Rush]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

That's also a good question.

Once I see the outcome, I will post the itemized here.

Ought to be interesting at the very least.

[Rockit]

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

It seems odd to me that your car can be destroyed because it is parked outside in a snow storm. Something here does not pass the smell test.

The insurance coverage, if there is any, will be through the comprehensive coverage on the policy. People would carry full coverage on a vehicle that is reasonably valuable and that want to protect the downside cost of an accident that might be their own fault. It makes sense to pay $400 per year for coverage on a car that might be worth $10k to replace. It makes less sense to pay $400 for a car that's worth $5000.

Insurance is about protecting one's own investment/interests. The bank will require you to have insurance, but after your relationship with the bank ends then you still would want to protect yourself, maybe.

I hope all works out for you....

Ice Damming is what happens to homes when repeated freezing and thawing then water enters the home when it melts under the shingles.

I live in the Northeast with constant ice and melting and never heard of this happen to a car.

Just reading this post and I'm sure I'm missing something but it seems the damage might have come from the jump start and shorted something maybe after the car was running for a while with something still hooked up.

Insurance covers perils like "fire" theft-vandalism for comprehensive. Generally they pay out when you collide with an object and damage results. So you would have to look into your policy, I don't think there is any coverage but that's me and I hope I'm wrong.

I don't know why the shop would come out and say that they total cars for that. Maybe your shop wants your car to sell and take it from you cheap. If it where me I would absolutely bring it to another shop quickly so they don't add storage and find out what failed and why and the total cost.

I don't mean do be a downer and I hope everything I said is wrong...truly.

[Rush]

Originally Posted by spongerich

I'm gonna be the contrarian here... I don't know that I'd want to own any modern car, let alone a BMW that's got known electrical issues. You could be setting yourself up for a string of expensive failures. If other modules got wet, they might be working OK now, only to slowly corrode from the inside as time passes.

If your insurance company will give you a decent pay out, I'd seriously consider taking it and looking for another 4.6 or 4.8 to replace it with. Don't let an emotional attachment to that particular car cloud your judgement.

Thank you very true, and something to consider of course. I'm still in the "WTF?" stage. Things will change when I see the repairs in detail.

[Rush]

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

It seems odd to me that your car can be destroyed because it is parked outside in a snow storm. Something here does not pass the smell test.

The insurance coverage, if there is any, will be through the comprehensive coverage on the policy. People would carry full coverage on a vehicle that is reasonably valuable and that want to protect the downside cost of an accident that might be their own fault. It makes sense to pay $400 per year for coverage on a car that might be worth $10k to replace. It makes less sense to pay $400 for a car that's worth $5000.

Insurance is about protecting one's own investment/interests. The bank will require you to have insurance, but after your relationship with the bank ends then you still would want to protect yourself, maybe.

Completely. Before this, I figured that I would have to reconsider comprehensive in the next year or two.

[bcredliner]

Options are guesses until you know what needs to be fixed or replaced and the resulting determination of the insurance company.

Assuming that it is running means it is running fine and only problem they can find now is the rear windows don't go down, it doesn't sound like it will be totaled.

I would get a second opinion especially if it is considered a total loss. Depending on what is wrong, labor cost could make quite a difference from one shop to another.