Welp, this better be covered by the offending woman's insurance company. I have a claim going through them right now, my insurance doesn't even know about it - unless contacted by her insurance company.

The police report states that she was not in a turning lane and went to turn left from the middle lane (3 lanes wide) while I was in the left lane (which is not a turn only lane; can go straight or left).

I'd say thats pretty good odds that I'll get 0% liability and she'll get 100%, no?


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...01321&t=k&z=20
See the northbound side? Where that grey vehicle is? Now see the u-turn in the middle of the median? Well, I was in the left lane going straight and she was in the middle lane just ahead of me. She put her blinker on at the last minute and turned into the u-turn. She claims "well, I had my blinker on" and I said that just because your blinker is on, doesn't mean you can just turn.

My bad. For some reason I thought there was a seam by the headlight and never looked at it.

The problem with replacing the fender will be that you would need to blend the color into the door and onto the hood. As a rule of thumb I go $800 per panel plus parts...so if indeed it was a new fender it is $3500 ish. Door, fender, hood plus stuff.

OP, you should get recommendations for 'best body shops' from the forum. Don't assume that since the "BMW dealer uses us" means they are the best.... good to hear but nothing beats recommendations.

DO NOT settle for her adjuster telling you what your claim is.

Good luck

A

since youre in NY go to C&D auto body in Hackensack NJ, a bit more expensive than the rest, but worth the price. Matt Casiano is the owner, great guy

Btw, what insurance company does she use? please please please dont tell me its progressive

Its not progressive.

Do you guys think its odd that her insurance is asking me to get an estimate and have it faxed to them by "my shop" and telling me its not needed to have their appraiser or adjuster come look at my car? Is that basically them saying "figure out what it costs and we will cut a check"? Or is it the complete opposite? I've never heard of it done that way unless they are ready to cut a check.

Very good sign. Choose your shop well, make sure they understand your expectations. The shop will know how to deal with the insurance.

Typically the insurance will then contact the shop, maybe ask a few questions and get a few photos.

'getting a check cut' is not something that you need to push for... once they give the shop the OK, then the shop will handle the billing, etc. If other items come up, they just add it to the claim. If you insist on a check, then it can get messy with reopening the claim. etc

Agree that it's a good sign. It means that they don't have a drive-in adjustment center or adjusters under contract in the area. They will deal directly with the body shop. Once the body shop gives them a multi-thousand dollar estimate, they might hold up the repair to send an adjuster to see it, but any dispute will be between the insurance co and the body shop.

What if I know a guy who will do the work for me but I get an estimate elsewhere? He's my buddy but doesn't have his own shop or anything so it wouldn't be a legit estimate. He's restored a few older M3's so I definitely trust him with this job.

Thats a little on the shady side, but you shouldnt have a problem. Just have a shop give you a quote to provide to your insurance. If her insurance company just cuts you a check, then pay your buddy and pocket e savinvgs if any. :)

How's it shady? I asked her insurance to just send an adjuster out and they said "no, we need an estimate from your shop." So I need to get an estimate from a legit shop. I already told my buddy I'd throw him some cash if he helped me out on this. So, what other ways are there to get a legit estimate? It's not shady if I just ask for an estimate. How does the shop know that I have an insurance claim? That's the point of an estimate, to see what the cost would be BEFORE work is done so you can decide if you want to do it or shop around different body shops.

Sorry for being a bit abrasive but saying something is shady, that really isn't, is kind of asking for it. Just my opinion. :thumbup:

No no. The part that could be seen as shady is that not an approved shop would be performing the work. On shady in the eyes of insurance. Trust me, if I were in the same boat, I'd do the exact same thing. :)