Argh!! Someone Hit Me!! Any tips on dealing with this?

Driving home from work, someone sideswiped me in slow traffic on the freeway. Minor damage to all of the body panels on the right side, and possibly to the wheels also although I didn't see anything immediately except some scuff marks. I assume it'll take a few days to sort out, but any advice you have would be great. Here are a few questions: 1. Any recc's for a shop in the SF Bay Area, preferably East Bay? 2. The damage to the door is very minor paint scrapes -- should I let the shop buff it out or respray the door? (they'll have to paint the front and rear fenders). 3. For that matter, should I ask to get the whole car repainted, since so many panels need to be painted? 4. Will this diminish the value of the car? How much? It's not a major accident, mostly cosmetic, although I think it will cost a bit to fix. 5. Anyone have experience getting reimbursed for a clear bra? Some of the damage is to the fender and bumper in front of the front wheel. I don't know if the bra is damaged, but that area is scuffed and may be dented. How do I make sure the insurance company reimburses me for that, especially if I take it somewhere besides the auto shop to get a new bra put on? 6. Anything else I should be thinking about? Sigh, I already started the process with the insurance company. I'm going to go relax with a glass of wine. So depressing!

Have heard good stuff about Cooks. As for the clear bra, we've had customers in your situation get reimbursed w/o any problems as long as you still have your original receipt.....plus, if it's not your fault, then it would be paid through the other party's insurance company. Good luck!

Deal solely with their insurance company. If your insurance company finds out, even though its not your fault, they can still use it to raise your rates. Did you get a police report? First call the persons insurance company. They will record your statement and then compare it to what the other party says. Based on this they will determine who is at fault and call you back with their decision. It helps if you have a police report since it is an official document of the incident. If they determine their client is at fault they usually will tell you to get quotes for the damage from 3 body shops. Try finding the best places, no matter the cost and they will give you a quote for the body damage and they will probably let their clear bra person give you a quote for the bra. When talking to the insurance company insist upon receiving compensation for diminished value since all cars in any type of accident lose value.

I am not sure about California but I can tell you with certainty that not all States require insurers to compensate you for diminished value. Also, while you should deal with the other party's insurance company (assuming it was their fault) it is good that you put your carrier on notice. If the other carier denies your claim and you do not give your carrier timely notice they can also deny your claim for "late notice". The other option is to just file a first party claim with your own insurer and let them subrogate on your behalf...you will get better and quicker service this way and if they collect back 100% you will get your deductible back and depending on the carrier they may not increase your rates.

First take photographs of your car. Then sit down someplace and write a narrative about the accident. Witnesses? The important thing to keep in mind here is that you hold all the cards in this situation. The other party's insurance company will, of course pay, BUT they will want to pay the least they possibly can. They will recommend shops to you where they receive a preferntial rate. STAY AWAY from shops they reccomend. they will say the shop you choose costs to much, etc. Hold your ground. Carefully select a shop that is capable and used to working on Porsche cars. I can recommend shops in the South Bay Are but not in the North Bay. Go to your local dealer and see who they recomend and start there and speak with them. While you are at the dealership ask one of the sales persons to estimate the value of your car as it stands right now with the damage. Then ask him/her to estimate what the value would be if it did not have the damage. The difference is your loss of value. When you discuss the repairs you require make sure you add in the loss of value as well. Stick to your guns when dealing with the insurance crazies and if they give you a bad time get a lawyer to help you out it would cost a few hundred dollars for the attorney to make a few calls for you. It works. Good luck. Jim

I am going through the process right now. A driver turned left in front of me in an intersection and I hit their right rear with my right front. I selected the collision repair shop with respect to recommendations from my dealer and also Porsche friends who had used the shop. I have hired an appraiser who specializes in high-end "diminished value" cases to represent me against the other driver's ins co. Here's my damaged Cab. About $8k worth. I've been told my diminished value could be 20% of the retail value of my car.

Can a car also get a disabled sticker when its hurt in your state for special parking

Firstly, I am very sorry to hear of your accident, and especially, happy to hear you were unhurt! I had this happen to me. I had my SY C2 taken to Cooks Autobody in Walnut Creek. They did a superb job and they warranty their work "lifetime". I was comforted in that. They paid every attention to detail and worked with my rattled nerves of having my baby hit by some dumb stupid idiot ...lady in a duly. i'm not sure who your insurance company is, however, I am with State Farm. Cooks is an approved SF facility. So I didn't have to deal with any paperwork, monies exchange or anything. Dropped her off and picked her up perfect again. You are entitled to diminished value (especially thru state farm). I recieved a large 5 figure check for my dimished value. They typically will tell you that you are responsible for getting the estimate, but turn around and use their own people. The lady they called did me GOOD! I have no complaints. I had a clear bra on the car and had no issue with getting it redone and for them to pay for it. You might have to show a receipt of some sort that you have had this done to the car prior. The auto shop had nothing to do with replacing it, I called the guy who did it and he came out and did the work in my garage after the paint had cured. Cooks was VERY expert at blending, even though a large portion of my car was sprayed. I had the fender, hood, and back fender resprayed with blending taking place everywhere that new paint touched. You are welcomed to come by and take a look at my car if it's convenient for you so you can see their work. They were recommended to me by Stead in Walnut Creek. If I can help with anything else, feel free to contact me. Good luck! Robyn

Kevin!!! Oh my, that picture is simply painful! I had no idea, must have missed that post! I am so sorry!!!

Yeh, the Cab is wounded, but will be looking good again soon, probably better, as it had quite a few rock chips on the hood, and the bumper cover was looking fairly worn (40k mi). I'm told no damage to chassis at any suspension pickup points, no suspension damage, just at the uni-body at the trunk wall, which will have to be cut out and replaced. Should have no affect on drive-ability. Got the best shop in town working on it! I'll be back in the saddle shortly! Hope to see you at BRBS next year!!

If it was the other guy's fault, his insurance company is at your command. Demand whatever you feel is fair. Do not gove a medical release until everything is settled. Car rental will be paid for, any loss of time off from work, etc. I got hit one time and the other guy's insurance wanted to bondo my quarter panel. Made them buy a new panel, install and paint. They also had to use genuine manufacturer's parts. Allstate is the only company I know that penalizes it's customers even when they are not at fault. You should contact you insurance company immediately. They will insure thatyou are protected properly and that blame does not all of a sudden switch to you.

I have to commend you for the matter of fact attitude in your posts. I've seen some guys go balllistic if someone puts a ding in one of their doors. I think most if not all states recognize diminished value. After all an injured party is entitled to seek full compensation for losses, and if a car is worth 20% less after it has been repaired, that qualifies as a loss in my book. As far as painting the whole car is concerned, you could request it, but if they refuse I wouldn't worry about it. Paint matching is such a science nowadays that you shouldn't be able to see any differance in color. Good luck.

What is the cause of the spray pattern around the impact site?

Really too bad...opportunity knocks tho...You've lost much in the way of resale value. Take the residual value comp money and do mods!

I've heard good review of EMC as well. Best thing is to have the scuff buffed by a good detailer (try autoconcierge - bob on ferrari chat). If car had to be resprayed, don't over do it. Only what's needed. You'll be surprised what a good detailer can remove without any loss in dimish value. Getting an evaluation on what can be done would be your first step. How would you proof you're not at fault? It's not like someone hit you in rear. If you want to get reimbursed fully, you should go through your ins co to let the ins co's on both side fight it out. A police report would be best but then again, they may not able to determine fault. GL

Coolant.

Hey guys (and gals) thanks for all the tips. I talked to my insurance company (Allstate), and they were really good about it -- said this wouldn't affect my record unless it's determined that I'm at fault (which I'm not). We didn't get a police report, but in my neck of the woods the police usually don't bother unless someone's injured. Premier - I don't have a receipt for my clear bra. It was put on by the previous owner. Can you give me a replacement estimate? I'll PM you... Kevin H - OUCH! Your car is much worse off than mine. I'm so sorry. Hope you get it back in shape soon. Robyn - thanks for the detailed info about Cooks. I was going to call Eric at Stead in the morning, and it sounds like that's what he will suggest as well. I don't know if I can get the car back in shape in time for the next 969 drive, but I just wouldn't fit in driving my old Volvo. Lee - Hilarious! That's a great idea. I've been trying to justify a stereo upgrade and this may be the ticket. Hmm, or short shift kit... or wheels.... Again, thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted.