My X5 was hit updated...
 

The original thread was closed by the moderator due to ...

Anyway, I just got off the phone with the auto body shop. They have adjusted the original estimate cost from $5885 to $14,167 plus $500 deductible, which will also cover my insurance. So the total tab for the repair is $14,667.00 that my insurance company going to pay for the damaged repair.

Is there any damage to the frame or to the A or B pillars?

Too bad they wont total it.

yeah, sorry bout that

anyway, thats quite a repair. hope to get you back on the road in no time.

in the mean time, enjoy the hyundai sonata rental car that you'll end up with

Ouch, that's quite the tab...updated parts list?

The new estimate seems a LOT more realistic. If they haven't already completely disassembled it for their new estimate, I expect it will be even higher by the time they are done.

There was no damaged to the frame and the pillar. So that is a good thing to know. I know too bad that the insurance did not total my car.

The Material Inspector from my insurance company came down on last Friday to the body shop after the body shop disassembled the car and inspected for the extent of the damaged. That how they came up with the new tab. This is more realistics than the very first estimated.

I will get the parts list on this Monday. I will post it up. The most expensive part that the shop going to order is the front driver suspension. I was told that it cost over 3 grands just for the part.

Remember, the shop needs to be 'your buddy'... you and the shop should be carefully comparing notes and YOU can put pressure on the insurance adjuster.

The material inspector or adjustor from the insurance is an enemy. His job is to minimize costs. Period.

Often times owners don't really know, so the body shop is in a funny position- they cannot piss off the insurnace, since their being a 'preferred shop' means more business to them...if the adjuster tells them "just do this" or "no need for that, you'll make it up with this other thing", many shops will agree to make do. If the owner is clueless the shop has nobody 'on the owners side'. However if the owner is a strong player in the dynamic, the shop can kinda sit back and say to the adjuster "well, owner is being demanding, you know how that goes..." and meanwhile they can be telling you what they really want and what will give it the best result....

Things like an extra few hours to colorsand, replacing trim instead of reusing, removing glass instead of roping the rubber....

I always marginalize the insurance in these situations- I make it clear that *I* am driving, the shop is following and they are paying. It may make no difference at all in many cases, but when it does I'd rather not have a result compromised due to a hidden conflict.

Finally, the shop will know precisely what will result in my rejecting a repair. The do NOT want to be repainting a panel due to a drip, orange peel or clouding... because the insurance company will NOT be the one paying for a redo...indeed the adjustor will screw the shop when that happens. If the shop AND the adjuster hears this early, loud and clear, they will be on a different footing when they both discuss the repair. I've had a adjuster agree to extra time based on my written punch list detailing paint quality- shop says "this owner is picky, we need the time to get it right"..adjuster says "yeah, OK".

Sorry for going on.... some of this may not apply, but knowing the potential dynamics of the situation can help one manage the process. The point is not to be 'right' or to show 'whos boss'...the point is to, on the day I pick up the car. to say "wow, you guys really did a perfect job".

A

Could you post some pictures?

To give you some perspective on level on damages---my '01 3.0 was hit twice during the 9 years I had it.

First 2 pics Jan '06: $21K in damage--3 months in the shop (part of that was slow insurance on other driver's side). A lady pulled out in front of me without looking and I drove through her engine compartment at 40 MPH.

Next 2 pics Sep '10: as you can see it was totaled. I was t-boned and it rolled left bounced on it's side and went all the way to right side where it ended up.

Stevev---bottom line---I walked away both times with no injuries. I believe your car was parked or something if I remember correctly. I'm guessing yours will be fixed--also, look into filing a Diminished Value claim--I got $6K for mine.

The damaged on my car did not look as bad as yours comparing to your first acident from the first two pictures. My was parked inside the parking lot at the time of an accident.