Hit and Run at Work

So I like to park at the end of the parking lot away from everyone because I don't like door dings, and what do I get for being cautious? Someone bumps into my left rear bumper, cracking the tail light and scratching the paint. Not sure how it's even possible since the car was out there all by itself, bastard didn't even leave a note. I'm sure it happened at work because I found a piece of the tail light on the ground. I work for a large corporation and they have video of all of the parking lots, but they tell me they have better things to do with their time rather than review hours of tape to find out who did it. Planning to keep pushing them, though. I figure its not worth reporting to the insurance agency, should be able to find a used tail light for $100-$200, and I can live with the paint damage for now. Anyone have any idea how much it would be to repaint a bumper or have a shop recommendation in Los Angeles? Thanks, Chris

Light: http://www.ebay.com/itm/03-Porsche-9...55fbf5&vxp=mtr Paint on the bumper should be around $200-300.

Wow, after reading the thread title I was hoping to hear that you got "lucky" at work on your lunch hour. Unfortunately, I was wrong...good luck with the fix.

Hopefully bad karma will meet with the person who did this and didn't have the guts to leave you his/her info. GL with the fix, could have been much worse.

If you would have reported it to the Police as a Fail to Stop and Give Information the company would not have had a choice. The amount of damage determines level of offense. In Texas anyway, not sure about Cali.

If you report it to the insurance company, they have the power to subpoena the surveillance video from the company

That's retarded and i'm sorry to hear that! Your corporation you work for must have a Corporate Security section, and if in fact they have that area covered on CCTV, I would highly push the issue and speak to a manager and above about the incident. Even offer to review the footage yourself as you can put it on fast forward and the review can all be done in 30 minutes or less....

I understand parking out in the boonies like that to avoid door dings, etc., but parking like that can also have the opposite effect and draw unwanted attention to your car. There are plenty of A holes who will go out of their way to make your life miserable. Sometimes parking amongst the herd is just as safe... What are you gonna do? Seems like a lose-lose no matter what you try.

Sucks big time. But, based on the photos, I'd just replace the light and buff the paint myself. Save a bumper respray for when someone nails it again (bound to happen in LA). As others have said, I'd push the security camera video review if I were you. That being said, I used to work for a huge company up in Los Angeles. I'm sure I would have gotten the exact same non-responsive response from them.

Yeah, just planning to replace the light for now, leave the bumper for another time. Also need to get my front bumper resprayed due to an insane amount of rock chips from the Streets of Willow, probably do it all at the same time eventually. For now I'm just going to have fun with it, after all I've only had it for 4 months...

I never park the car out by itself, like that. I've had more than one incident, not with this Porsche, but others. I learned the hard way with other nice cars, what IMHO works best out here. I try to park so there is only one car next to me, and NEVER near a minivan or SUV (kids are the worst), but try for smaller 4 door cars (4 door doors are shorter so much hard to get dinged) or equally nice cars. I also try for "against the curb" rows, so eliminates the bumper bump in front or behind. No guarantees, but so far only one ding in 5 years.

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Yup - have fun with it. Lately I have stopped stressing over the minor imperfections, especially when I can't see it while driving and performance is not at all affected. Cars that are driven will get rock chips etc., other people will do dumb stuff; life will go on.

The bumper cover should be replaced. Factory new and painted of course by a Porsche Approved Collision Center. You can try for a used tail light. I would replace it with a new one. Expensive but this helps put the car back to its pre-collision condition. I hate hit and run drivers. I would really push to id the vehicle and the driver responsible and bring the wrath of God down on his damnable head.

Five days after I got my 996 I got tagged from behind while stopped at a light. My mechanic (EuroSpec Motoring) recommended Ultimate Coachworks in Culver City . Gary normally does Ferrari's and other exotics but was a pleasure to deal with, especially after we level set that mine is a DD and not a garage queen. His work was impeccable. I highly recommend him. BTW, I also had him paint my center console to match the body color. It turned out great!

That light on eBay looks scratched and nicked - I have a clean one if interested. PM me for details.

Have you considered filing a claim with your insurance company? You might be covered for the tail lamp and bumper repair/repaint - less your deductible - and just maybe your insurance company can get the company to review the security footage. You can always ask if the claim will bump up your rates - I've had claims for up to $5k and my rates were not affected. And, you always have the option of rescinding your claim.

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Even if you rescind the claim it is still noted in your insurance records and will be used against you when it comes time to renew or set annual rates. As for the OP with parking out there, I would advise doing the same thing another poster mentioned where you park up against a median where only one car is next to you. It makes it seem less obvious you are trying to keep away from idiots and your car is still relatively well protected. It almost appears like someone did this to you on purpose.

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Might be company specific. I recently used my insurance for collision when I backed in to a guy wire and damaged my bumper. They told me I could rescind the claim and that all they look at when renewing a policy is state driving record and the dollar amount of claims paid in the past three years. At this point this claim will not impact my rates, but if I have a traffic citation or another paid claim in the next three years my premium will increase. I guess it's the old your mileage may vary.

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In my opion your car was damaged on purpose... Your company has a responsibility to maintain employee safety against personal and property damage, etc., on their property, especially if they maintain video camera's on the property. What if your car was broken into and property stolen, what if the car was stolen, what if you were accosted, injured, etc., in the parking lot? Would they say they do not have the time to review the tapes? I would bring this to the attention of senior management in human resources, etc. Where do they draw the line on property and or presonal damage.... Also, I would have contacted the police department and filed a hit and run claim, which might have gotten the "better things to do with their time rather than review hours of tape guys off their asses.....

Your damage is precisely where the rear bumper of a Chevy C1500 commercial-duty truck would impact your car if he were to back into you. Ask me how I know...