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Author Topic: Crash at the automotive shop  (Read 1760 times)

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Offline 1977Bobcat

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Crash at the automotive shop
« on: May 26, 2021, 06:17:39 PM »
Today, my 1977 Mercury Bobcat was crashed into outside an automotive shop; where it was being repaired, so I could go to the Pinto Stampede.  No one was hurt but the Bobcat did fare well.

A lady was sideswiped by an uninsured car. She panicked and hit the accelerator and drove into my Bobcat and into the front of the garage.  She is insured.

My front end is pushed about an inch to the drivers side. Hood, fenders, doors, grill are dented.

So who is responsible for my car?  Garage?  Insured lady who hit my car? Or uninsured driver that caused the accident.



Offline oldandcrotchety

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2021, 07:34:40 AM »
Well, the damage doesn't look too bad. (I used to own a paint & body shop).  I'm guessing that the lady that ran into your car will be responsible.  Bad thing is that the insurance company will likely balk because of the age of your car.  They will likely say that it is so old that it is worthless. I've run into this before. A friend of mine (I did all his paint and body work) owned a mint 1971 Corvette that got hit and received about $3,000.00 worth of damage and the insurance company wanted to pay about $800.00 because they insisting it was just an old Chevrolet.  He finally told them that this was a mint classic collector car worth thousands of dollars and he would meet them in court.  Once they understood that he was serious they cut him a check for $4,000.00 to make him go away.

Offline HOSS429

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2021, 08:00:04 AM »
if you have agreed value insurance from someone like hagerty you will be ok but if not expect an offer of maybe 3 or 4 hundred from the other insurance company ..

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2021, 10:39:42 AM »
Remember that insurance adjusters are not necessarily "car guys."  I would find support on the internet for what similar cars have sold for (I'd include Pinto's too). Otherwise, yes, they will just look at the year and apply minimal value. Wishing you all the best.

As to who is responsible, that may vary from state to state. Typically it is whoever's car hit someone. Sadly a person can be at a red light, foot on the brake and be hit from behind and pushed into the car in front of them. Regardless THEY are responsible for hitting the car in front, not the guy who hit them from behind. It is just one of life unfair aspects. In this case the woman who hit your car becomes the double victim. She was hit and her car damaged and possibly no recourse because the other driver had no insurance and yet she is responsible for the damage to your car.

Offline JoeBob

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2021, 02:29:01 PM »
When my car was hit the drivers insurance company paid $2000.00. Hagerty paid $4000.00 because of our agreed value.
I am amazed and pleased for you that your grill seems to have survived.  I bumped into the grill on my 77 when working on the engine, I broke the mounting bracket.
77 yellow Bobcat hatchback
Deuteronomy 7:9

Offline TIGGER

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2021, 04:04:54 PM »
Wow that sucks to say the least.  I have some bobcat stuff in case you need something.  I do not have a grille but I have some front trim and headlight buckets etc.  Just letting you know in case you find some of that stuff needs replaced.

good luck to you sir.
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Offline Dtmix

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2021, 10:58:56 AM »
After doing the work on my Pinto, that is my biggest fear...someone would redesign my car with theirs...sigh.  I am so sorry for your loss, and have faith to bring it back from the ashes!  I know it is not a Pontiac Phoenix...but it'll rise!  :-)

I concur with others as for their opinion that the insured lady who careened and struck your Bobcat.  Her insurer would typical do a subrogation against the other driver, but since he had no insurance, they are left holding the bag.  The garage would not be held liable, and they may make a claim against her insurer, as her car struck the building.

I hope you are insured by a specialty classic car insurance like Hagerty or others, as they are "car guys" who would do whatever they can to get it repaired, even if it goes over a set agreed amount, with you paying the difference. They also have part locator services at no charge.

If you are with the typical insurer like Allstate, State Farm, they will simply say it's totaled and demand for your title....keep the title away from them as they will brand it salvage when your car is easily repaired (at least from the pictures). They will say parts are not available...wh ich is partly true...laws forbids insurers from using used parts, limiting them to aftermarket or OEM parts which will make it "unavailable."  That's sad in many cases as I see simple damage being written off when it's repairable. I checked online, and there are parts for your car.  It is hard to see the fenders, but the paint does not appear cracked and could possibly be straightened, and replacing the hood, trim piece and grille. Let me know if you need help to locate parts for you.

It's about 45 days away for the Pinto Stampede...so I hope to see you there!  :-)

Happy Motoring!

Dan
Happy Motoring!
Dan

Offline dga57

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2021, 10:54:32 PM »

If you are with the typical insurer like Allstate, State Farm, they will simply say it's totaled and demand for your title....keep the title away from them as they will brand it salvage when your car is easily repaired (at least from the pictures). They will say parts are not available...wh ich is partly true...laws forbids insurers from using used parts, limiting them to aftermarket or OEM parts which will make it "unavailable."  That's sad in many cases as I see simple damage being written off when it's repairable.   

Can't speak to the products of other insurance companies, but State Farm (at least in Virginia) offers classic car policies with "agreed value" much like Hagerty.  It helps protect your investment, but it severely limits allowable mileage.  My '72 Squire's usage falls within the mileage restrictions and it is registered/licensed as an antique (not necessary so far as State Farm is concerned) so it seemed the logical course.  An "in-person" assessment of the car and photos taken by the insurance broker are part of the process. 

Dwayne :)
Pinto Car Club of America - Serving the Ford Pinto enthusiast since 1999.

Offline Dtmix

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2021, 03:31:46 PM »
Yes, Dwayne is correct to mention that some insurers have policies written on an agreed upon value like his. I was referencing to the typical auto policies in my post, as many are unaware of classic car policies. As for his policy, I am not sure what happens if it exceeds the agreed upon value...can he pay the difference and keep the car without having to surrender the title? Maybe Dwayne knows...you will have to ask him.

Every insurer’s classic car policies differ, so it’s important to compare. Hagerty, which covers mine, have no mileage limits but they do expect you to have another car as your daily driver...you are not required to insure your primary driver with them. Other companies may require your presence with the car for coverage...so if you stop at a diner and leave the car unattended, you are not covered. Some requires the car to be within a certain radius of your home address, making it problematic if you drive to Hershey or Carlisle. Just think of how you plan to use the car, and use that as your baseline when comparing insurance policies. If you never go to shows or take it out of your neighborhood, focus on limited mileage policies, while others may take their classics on vacation, parking at hotels out of sight, your policy should reflect coverage for such. Some policies will also cover parts that you purchased but is not yet installed while others do not.

There is a publication on comparing classic car insurance...I think it was Hemmings , but I am not sure. I will try to locate the article and come back to post it.

Fingers crossed for your Bobcat!

Happy Motoring!
Dan
Happy Motoring!
Dan

Offline dga57

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2021, 03:26:21 PM »
As for his policy, I am not sure what happens if it exceeds the agreed upon value...can he pay the difference and keep the car without having to surrender the title? Maybe Dwayne knows...you will have to ask him.


Excellent question, Dan!  I honestly don't remember all the policy's details... it's been insured there since the day I bought it... about eight years ago.  The thing that appealed to me about it was the lack of a requirement for it to be garaged.  I don't have a garage, nor room to build one, and my wife refuses to move.  I utillized the garage space at my mother's house for years and had planned to move into it at some point.  In my mind, it was perfect; free house (inheritance), handicap accessible (for my wife or any other future needs), two-car attached garage and plenty of room to add an additional three-car garage attached by a breeezeway.  The paved driveway was designed in such a way that it wouldn't have had to be altered in order to accommodate that.  While I was planning all that, I failed to mention it to my wife and when I did she stated flatly that she did NOT want to live there; this is her home and she has no intention of leaving it until they carry her out feet first!  It's a shame because it would be so much better location for us, but she was the child of two Salvation Army Officers who moved frequently.  She had moved more than twenty times when I met her.  Once we bought our home 24 years ago, she put down roots and intends to live out the remainder of her life right here, despite the house not being very well suited (split foyer design) to us since her stroke and subsequent incapacitation . Okay... I get it.  So, my solution was to sell all my collectible cars and get over it.  That included a couple of Lincolns, a Rolls-Royce, and one Pinto.  The two Pintos I own now were purchased since I sold that property.  I could rent garage space I suppose, but then they'd probably never get driven!  Que Serra Serra!

Dwayne ::)
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Offline Dtmix

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2021, 08:30:54 AM »
Your wife sounds just like my mother, but I can totally understand their perspective.  I am from a military family, and we moved frequently as a result. Once my dad retired from the service, they finally brought a house, where they lived for the last fifty years.  Hence, she did not want to move, which became an issue when she got older. It was a Cape Cod style house with the laundry in the basement and sleeping quarters upstairs. After falling so many times, it became clear that her remaining there will be dangerous to her well-being and my mental health (chuckling...sh e was in NY and I am in Ohio). She was no longer able to walk, and required assistance with her daily living skills, I purchased a condo a mile from my home.  She lived there for three years until she passed away last December at 91 years old. It was a tough decision, and one that was not made lightly. I am hopeful that your wife would be able to remain in your home for a long time, but be mindful that accommodations to the house may become necessary. Fingers crossed.

Back to the insurance issue...that is an excellent point as many policies requires the car to be garaged at all times. I would have loved seeing your driveway with all the Roll Royces, Lincolns, and Pintos!  That must have been quite a sight to behold!  :-)

I will try to locate that Hemmings article in the meantime!

Happy Motoring!
Dan

Happy Motoring!
Dan

Offline Dtmix

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2021, 08:46:39 AM »
I found the article at Hemmings regarding Collector Car Insurance.  It also includes examples of scenarios within the article, and a list of collector car insurers and their contact information.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/classic-coverage

Happy Motoring!
Dan

PS-How's the Bobcat doing so far?  Were you able to get it repaired?  I am sure I am not alone wondering how it is going!
Happy Motoring!
Dan

Offline 1977Bobcat

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2021, 09:47:50 AM »
So an update.  The frame is bent badly.  Engine won't fit back in.

It has been sitting at the shop where it was wrecked. no progress. I haven't had the stomach to face the next step with the bobcat. 

Offline oldandcrotchety

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2021, 06:23:35 PM »
 Can't you just have the frame straightened?  Back when I was in the body shop business a lot of the shops had their own frame machine.  I never did because there was a frame shop not far from my shop and whenever I needed one straightened I would just haul the car over and have them do it. Was cheaper than investing in a Blackhawk machine of my own.   

Offline krazi

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Re: Crash at the automotive shop
« Reply #14 on: October 02, 2021, 11:09:25 PM »
Remember that insurance adjusters are not necessarily "car guys."  I would find support on the internet for what similar cars have sold for (I'd include Pinto's too). Otherwise, yes, they will just look at the year and apply minimal value.

have dave hester from storage wars put a value on it. you could be driving a million dollar antique car
yeah, I'm Krazi!