truck was hit and I need some advice
 

The rear door on the drivers side was backed into and the adjuster came to my house and appraised the damage. This is going to be covered by the persons insurance that hit the truck but my question is the money they allowed he said would cover a new door outside portion and he said they would also have to paint the front door so they would match. One question is that if they have to paint the front door to match is the cab and bed not going to match then. I also paid 37k for this truck that has 30k on the od and I want the same great primer, paint and clear coat that comes from the factory not just a paint job that can be done for the amount the insurance is willing to pay. Also there was a quarter size spot on the bed and the appraiser came in after looking at the truck for 30 minutes and said he had some rubbing compound and the spot buffed out. I did not give this guy to be working on my truck nor do I like the idea of just buffing off the clear coat in that spot and whatever else he hit with the rubbing compound. Now will a carfax show my truck as being wrecked? Any advise on this and how not to get screwed with a high dollar truck that looks like crap in five years?

I work as an estimator at a body shop and deal with this everyday.

First and foremost, you are the claimnant and you have alot of rights. They have issued money that will not cover the complete and appropriate repair. You need to find a shop that you are comfortable with. Don't shop around for estimates as that part is done. Just shop the shops for the quality that suits you best. Once your vehicle is in the shop, that shop (if they are good indeed) will copy the estimate you have and use it as a starting point. They will then make their own repair order that will involve the rest of the items necessary to repair your vehicle to it's prior condition. They will contact the liable party's insurance company and issue them a supplement request. It is possible that the company will then send out another adjuster to that shop to see this info or maybe not if it is not that high of a difference.

Your vehicle is not finished until you are happy with it.

This is the game that we must play everyday. On the other hand, insurance companies do pay out less initially because if that person pockets the money, then they aren't out the total amount they could be. It helps to make sure that people will actually repair the damage. It also shows how good a shop it really is in that if they accept the initial estimate and that's all they do, then it's not the right shop for you.


Chris

My buddy and significant other had an accident where it was the other persons fault. The drivers door and surrounding area was damaged. They took it to a reputable repair shop and everything worked out well. They also fought for compensation for the diminished value since it had been involved in a wreck. I'm not sure how much they received but they were satisfied.

Brad

Just a note, carfax is about useless, it won't show up. Your truck is technically worth less because it was involved in an accident and if you tell a potential buyer many don't like it, but it depends on how bad of damage etc.

I would definatly say you want compensation for the reduced value of your vehicle. The insurance company has to please you and don't give in to easily.

When I got into an accident and it wasn't my fault I just went to two shops got estimates, and they were very similar to what the insurance came up with. I just took their money and fixed it myself. Could of probably got more but the damage was extremly minor and I made some pretty good coin anyways.

First, don't be paranoid about getting part of your truck repainted. As new as it is, no shop should need to paint more than the damaged panel to get a good color match. Don't stress over losing some of your "great" factory paint. Just about any good quality base/clear paint is going to be as good or better than factory and the application of it will be better (thicker) than factory. The factory paint leaves ALOT to be desired on these trucks. The clear coat is very thin.
Unless you get a crappy body shop, the only part that might look bad in 5 years is the factory paint.

I don't think the issue for most people is the paint material other than the color match. It seems as though there are 5 or more shades of a particular color with some slight changes in color since a lot of factory paint is often faded. Even on a newer vehicle. Getting the new paint to exactly match the old paint (where it the old paint doesn't match the brand new paint) is the difficulty. One has to make sure the match is done in the correct light when there is a choice of shades...

Other than this issue to contend with, the rest of the quality should be fine if a reputable shop is chosen (as previously suggested by others).

I have to respectfully disagree with not needing to paint anything other than the damaged area....I`ve been in the bodyshop business for almost 20 yrs. now , as a painter , and the very first thing they stress in any of the PPG or BASF paint classes is you get the color close enough to blend it out...not "panel paint". There are WAY too many variables in the automotive paint world to ensure a perfect match in 99% of the cases , esp. with high met. colors , like gold , silver , lt. greens /blues etc...

As far as the rest of what was said , your are right on.[coffee]

Take it to a good repair shop , and let them fix it as they feel is best for you (the customer) and not the insurance company.

Great advise, thanks y'all. My truck is black by the way and in the texas sun it may be a bit faded.

Black is a tough color. One thing i'm sure you know but be picky! Don't settle for any crap work, and let them know it.

I've seen two "blended" jobs on trucks only a few years old and the guy had to be on crack. It shouldn't be that tough but it is. They weren't terrible, but my motto is, you shouldn't be able to tell the paint was ever touched.

I should really snag a pic of the paint job on my dads truck, it makes me sick that anyone would let that work out of their shop. Stupid mistakes someone whos never done it before wouldn't make [dummy]

And just a note, "reputable shop" don't mean squat, the place my dad went to was recommend by the insurance company, and a couple other people said they did good work. But they turned out to be a bunch of hacks.

If the job isn't done to your satisfaction don't hestitate to tell them to redo it, just make sure your happy, because once you sign, they won't know who you are anymore.

If it`s black met. it may still need to be blended , but straight black on Dodge and Ford is one of the few colors that are able to be painted without blending...at least with PPG products.

Also , food for thought....if you go to a shop "recommended" by the insurance company , you`ll have better luck getting a quality job done , because they usually bend over backwards to make you happy , as to not have you gripe to the ins. co. and get kicked off the "good" list.[coffee]

One other issue that should calm your nerve I have not heard yet.

If you go to a reputable shop check to see if they warranty there work. Most all of them do. So that should relax you a bit! Keep your paperwork and if for some very strange reason the panels they repaired is fading faster than the rest or the clear has flaws or oxidation, etc. They will redo it for free!

I have a silver truck! Just about every inch of my truck has been repainted except the roof and passenger front fender! (Drivers side was side swiped in a hit and run!, passenger bed side changed after my brother-in-law left his truck in neutral and rolled down the drive way into the bed!) Silver needs alot of color matching, blending and my work was done at 2 different shops. You can't tell that work was ever done! Like it was said before, it looks as good or better than factory!

Good Luck and remember... you are always right!

Well, I knew his truck was black![laugh] Just kidding!
Maybe I have just been lucky (and I have no where near your experience, just a shade tree body man), but The last 2 repairs I've had to make, Dodge Patriot Blue and Dodge bright red were exact color matches, used Sherwin Williams, panel painted both and never could tell the difference. Have had alot of others in the past that I to blend. That light blue that comes on the '90's Chevy trucks comes to mind. That wasn't even close to matching.

I think another part of the issue is even when the color looks sweet and matched when it is painted, that after a certain amount of time, the new and old paint will fade at different rates... Hence, I think this is another reason why one would want to blend out and try to have as generous a transition between new/old paint as possible and not just paint one panel and have a sharp transition so to speak... I have vehicles that looks great when done, but can see the difference in paint over time.

The body shops around here def want to blend to the front door and around the back of cab which means removing the bed. Not sure I really want someone removing my bed that works at a body shop but I guess it will be alright. I am debating having them blend to the front door and not romoving the bed to blend around the back. Any ideas? I also spoke with my insurance agent and he could not believe that the appraiser the insurance company sent out used rubbing compound and worked on my truck. The more I think about some guy working on my truck without my permission the hotter I get. Is the clear coat in the area where he used rubbing compound now gone? My agent said they would not pay my lost wages to got drop the truck, pick up etc but they would have to compensate me for now haveing a repaired truck opposed to the almost new perfectly stock truck. Now how much money is it worth that the truck has been in a wreck and repaied? Any ideas on how to determine? Thanks y'all.

A truck that is written off and declared salvage drops in value 25% after being rebuilt. I would say maybe 10-15% of it's value should be compensated for.

I would let the body shop do the repairs they want like removing the bed etc, so if it doesn't match or something they cannot say "we did it your way". They SHOULDN'T mess up anything by removing it, like scratching it, or not adjusting it right, but yea a lot of shady work around. Just be very very picky and look it over when you pick it up and don't sign until your happy.

I`m surprised they are offering to give you anything for "diminished value"...consider yourself lucky to get anything without a fight.

Don`t worry about a "body shop" guy taking off your bed...that`s what we do.[duhhh]

Like was prev. said , let the shop do the repairs they way they see fit...would you like someone showing up at your work telling you how to do your job? [nonono]

It sounds like it`s at a good shop from the way they want to do the repairs.

Good luck to you.:cool:

You mean you don't get people telling you how to do your job and breathing down your neck when your trying to work? [verymad] Don't know what it is about my line of work, but everyone thinks they know what they are talking about and knows more then me, yet can't do it themselves [dummy]

Yeah, I'm not sure why Cromulus is so paranoid about having the truck painted. As said, I'm surprised the ins company is giving any "diminished value" payment anyway. I'd consider that my money for my time/trouble to get the truck in and repaired. It's a dent for crying out loud. Pound it out, replace the panel, whatever, paint it and be done with it.
Any decent shop will make that repair the best looking part of the truck. May have to actually dumb down their work a bit to match the factory, no extra charge orange peel!

Just to clarify it was my insurance that said I should be compensated for diminished value not the insurance company of the person who hit my truck. That argument is about to begin.

Good luck....diminished value is the 4 letter word in the insurance world[tapdshut][coffee]

No one want`s to admit to it...and there`s no REAL way to get a realistic number. If a veh. has some minor damage and is repaired correctly , who says just how much (if any) less it`s worth than the same veh. that`s had NO damage?

Now major repairs , and shoddy repairs are a different story. It`s still hard to come up with hard numbers , but it`d definately going to be worth less than a non-wrecked veh. , but who says how much?[duhhh] There is no magic number.

I do hope it all works out for you....

Just to keep everyone posted here is where im at. I am going to take the truck in next Monday just because I have not had time. But I insisted on an hd truck for a rental and told them I will most likely be hauling a trailer to the dump and loading the bed with misc items. The insurance agreed that I am intitiled to a diminished value payment and that we will appraise for an amount as soon as repairs are made. I found there are independent companies out there that do just that so I may consult them if I think the insurance is low balling. I know I would rather be buying a pristine truck opposed to one that had been repaired. I'll let everyone know how this pans out incase someone else comes to this same situation and thanks again for the advise guys.

Now that my truck is in the shop they gave me a short bed 4x4 6.7 to use in the meantime. First impression is under hood looks a little scary to try to work on compared to my 5.9 and the trans slows you down a bit when you let off the go pedal which is good for towing but not good for mpg empty. It is faster but mine is a long bed and alway has a toolbox and grill guard along with misc. amount of tools in the box.

I will tell you right the 6.7 auto tranny SUCKS. With tow/haul on, and EB brake coasting to a stop the truck downshifts and jerks so hard with a trailer behind. I absolutely cannot stand it. It's still an auto that has NO clue what gear it should be in [duhhh]

Trust me, it's not an "upgrade" your 5.9 is a lot better [coffee]

Ya there is no way I am trading my 5.9 for the emmision packed 6.7. On a side note I did notice and notify the repair shop and the insurance adjuster that the bed appeared to be pushed in compared to the other side being flush with the cab. This was the area that the insurance appraiser removed the visible damage with the rubbing compound. Does anyone know if it can be bent out or will they have to get a new bed?

Here is an update if anyone has some advise on this one. Before they removed the bed the body shop showed me how the whole bed was set probably a 1/2" toward the passenger side from when the guys put the b,w in. I am debating whether to just pretend I did not kow this and leave it alone or remove the b,w and put a plate gooseneck over it and have the boday shop put the bed where it is supposed to be. The body shop seemed to think they did have to remove the bed for the b,w install and now that he showed me that I remided me that when you look inside the bed it is a little off center of the ribs in the floor. Any thoughts?

The OTHER GUYS adjuster is only taking care of the other guy, and at the cheapest level possible if they can get away with it.

If it were me, I'd take lots of pics to have them if needed at a later date, then I'd go to a Chrysler body shop and get an estimate. OEM is how your truck was BEFORE they hit it, OEM is how your truck should be after. Then go to other body shops and get estimates, make sure they understand OEM parts only. You also should be compensated for the LOSS that will now happen to your value because it was in an accident.

YOUR insurance company will work to see that you get what is due to you, they will cover the repairs, you do not need to sign off on anything other than the repairs, get an attorney to get you compensated for your other value loss if need be. Make sure you let the other side know your plans, you might be real suprised as to what they cough up then. Also, if you decide to allow them to manipulate you with their process, make sure you arrance for the ESTIMATE to be just that, an estimate, once you get things apart there may be more parts needed and they should be open-ended about a final cost until the job is done.



CD

I have a B&W in my truck to, and you DO NOT take off the box to install it. There is no reason to touch any box mounts to install it. I would get the box put back in the factory location, how do they not know the accident didn't move the box?

Because pointing to the hitch is a more convenient explanation.

What the guy was saying at the body shop is either way they have to remove the box to blend the paint around the back of the cab and once you put it back on it pretty much has to go where it was because the three points on the hitch(ball, safety chain hooks) will keep it from being adjusted. It would only pivot which makes sence to me. Another question for y'all is if you have a b,w is it centered on one of the ribs on the bed floor? Mine is off by I guess a 1/4" or 3/8" and that is about the same as the bed is off. I spoke to the hitch installers and he said if the bed is off from the factory then they install the hitch and it will be off center so I guess that makes sence if they do not remove the bed because otherwise I would assume they would just put the bed back on centered. So it makes sence that they did not have to remove the bed. We'll see what the bed looks like when the body shop looks like when they put it back on. I did sign the agreement saying they could use non oem parts where available and that made sence to me cause I assumed some parts are probably better aftermarket. Now they will ask me to sign something to say the works is satisfactory when they are done but I dont know if I'm comfortable with that because I probably wont see every little thing if the initial inspection.

Make sure to look at it in good sun light and take a friend or two with you to go over it. Every extra set of eyes will help.

The work that was done at the body shop looks decent but for sure does not look the same as factory. It may be fine for most people but being a construction gc it is my job to check work on a daily basis so that makes me have a big attention to the details. One problem I have with the body shop is that they left masking tape between the cab and the bed which I dont see how it can be removed without using a tool that will scratch the paint in there or some really skinny hands. There is also a couple of new scratches on the bed and a small dent. I took digital film before and after for documentation. They must have used some tag or someting because there is also a little scratching at the top of the drivers side glass along with some grease on the interior. Thats it for the body shop that I have seen so far. Now I told the person's insurance that hit me I am ready to move forward with the diminished value appraisal. Also they just kind of quit talking about what happens to the area that the appraiser they sent out used rubbing compound on and the body shop did not do anything to. I asked him who warrantied that area. All correspondance with the insurance has been by email. Any advice on the insuing battle with either insurance or body shop?

That sucks man, but sadly i'm not suprised. Like I said earlier in this thread, I have yet to EVER see a good body shop job, everyone has been nothing but hacks with excuses. But that isn't that bad, my dad had a list of atleast 20 problems that I pointed out. Also, I happened to check out my B&W ball, here's a pic, mine is perfectly centered.

As far as the problems, I would let them try to remove the tape, maybe washing it would remove it? But inspect it for damage for sure. Make them fix any damage, even if they have to replace panels, repaint, etc. As far as the grease, that is a SOB to get out, I would make them detail the whole inside. Just don't settle for anything, they are getting paid a good price to do a good job. No excuse for poor work.


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When I had the truck back to the body shop for corrections and pointed out that they had painted over the sticker on the end of the door which is I guess a just serial number thing but have been told it has some type of lojack effect they said they could not get a new one. Is that bull? Havent contacted the dealer yet. Anyone know for sure what the rectangular sticker really is?

Here is an update on the diminished value claim. The rep takes his sweet time to respond and I am sure he is sick of getting emails from me. After reminding him that they had me hire an auto appraiser which cost me $200 and give them his finding I requested the findings of the appraiser they hired to look at it after repairs. He said his boss told him to offer me $800 total and that he could negotiate up to 1k. I said no thanks and please forward the findings of your appraiser. Later his email said "oops I offered you way to much and it should have only been $400 or $500" and that he was not allowed to release their appraisers finding because it was "work performed". Sounds inconsistant and fishy and kind of funny because this guys is not remembering what he previously emailed. Debating my response and going to call my insurance friend and agent for more advice. At some point if they dont want to give me the findings of their appraiser and wont give me the $2,000 that my appraiser found the truck to be dimished I guess I will need to call the lawyer or look at small claims and then do I tell him that first or just wait till they get the notice? I found a good free legal advice website a while ago when I had to repo a truck I had sold so I will get something posted there. Thanks again for all the help y'all.

Dang that sucks man. If you ever need to trade it in they won't take it at a place like Carmax, they can spot stuff like that pretty quick.

Just reading back through because my truck was rearended and I'm reading about the after effects of this.

I got a used bumper (factory) and had them paint the very lower rear corner of my bed for $40. If there is a sharp break or panel break they CAN just paint that one area. This is with a metallic silver too... Solid colors like black are easy to match.



I'd take pics of the painted over vin sticker and let them know this depreciated the vehicle greatly because the repair isn't 100% invisible. Maybe you can claybar the paint off or something though?