Damage Estimate

x 10

 

If you think about what it takes to 100% fix paint damage, I can somewhat believe those numbers.

You have paint damage on the door, fender, and fender flare. Fixing paint damage either requires replacing the panel and painting it, or sanding the panel and repainting it. You can't "touch up" paint. If a panel needs painting everything around it has to be sanded, painted, and feathered. It is highly time consuming (labor costs a lot).

Doesn't seem that crazy to me.

 

I honestly don't even know what to tell you about the fender. There is a small dent in the area between the door line and the black rubber, but I really don't see it as that much to fix (or even worry about in general). I guess he is just charging me out the ass to fix it and make it look brand new because he can't cover up scratches on the plastic.

 

If you do not know some body did it, then it is beyond your control. Should be categorized comprehensive and no increase your premium.
I hit a dear and cost $6500 to repair. I paid $250 deduction and my premium did not increase. Talk to your agent to find out. And yes i am in NC

 

I wouldn't think it would be categorized as comprehensive because it happened at Appalachian's stadium parking lot. I think they would see it as collision even though I am not at fault. But I emailed and called App Police and they never got back to me when I asked them to review the footage.

 

If you go in an tell them that you are not having your insurance cover it and you are going to cover it out of pocket (cash), usually the quote is significantly cheaper -- That has been my experience over the years.

Edit if you are trying to go cheap:

Find a complete junkyard door car-parts.com or ebay / kijiji. Tell the shop to cut corners and make it as cheap as possible. As other suggested, don't blend the paint it. Leave the fender trim alone use touch up yourself. De badge... Unless you want perfection...

Also it may not show up on a carfax is you don't go through insurance. Any accident record hurts the value of a vehicle for resale... Not that I am saying be shady... but be shady.

 

^^^ TONS cheaper, if not move on to next shop.

This is how I got my cost down on my truck. I was paying out of pocket.

Why pay out of pocket if you did not do it and you have insurance? You pay them so you dont have to worry about this shit.

 

I mean if I could just throw $300 at it, have it good as new and not have to worry about my insurance going up, I would easily do that. I just don't want my insurance to go up significantly or any at all when it wasn't my fault but I can't really point fingers because I don't know who did it.

 

The only people that can tell you if it will go up or not is the insurance company. You can always call them and talk without filing a claim...

Regardless, this is for sure over $300 in damage.

 

Sadly, that's true. I am going to go and talk to my agent sometime this week and hopefully get some good news out of it.

 

I think the most cost effective way is to find a wrecked Tacoma with a good passenger door and have a PDR guy take a look at that fender as the damage is slight.

 

good luck

 

just wrote a dummy estimate up in my software (audatex). $4381.09 for the same work up here. we are $73.41 an hr though and parts are way more expensive up here.

 

^^ Thats like $3261.58USD this week. Everything is 1.5 - 2X more expensive here in Canada ... EH

 

Your avatar really like to rock huh??

 

You got some pretty bad estimators then!
I can add 15-20% to that sheet All day

 

Hahha You write for an insurance company don't you?

 

Keep in mind you asked the body shop to quote the cost to repair, which to them is to restore to original condition. If they cut corners and didn't tell you, you'd be incensed and take them to court. They're not trying to overcharge you.

Tell them you're paying out of pocket and negotiate on a 'good enough' repair - leave the fender alone, don't replace the flare, don't blend the rear door, etc. Give them a chance to align their estimate with your checkbook expectations and see if that will satisfy you.

With State Farm, the first accident was a 'gimme' and didn't affect our rates. Discussed the options with my agent and learned that worst case scenario was our rates would go up $120/year. For the repair we were looking at, it would be 10 years before that would equal our cash price. Paid the deductible and never looked back. Hopefully your agent can share similar news when you speak with him/her.