Hello-
I had a dumb woman rear end my baby this week. My first new car at 39 and the rear end is a disaster. I am dealing with her insurance "Allstate" The car is not a year old. The estimate from Allstate is $6000. The rear hatch is destroyed, along with the bumper and everything inside. Also found along the top of the roof is a couple small creases (indentations) barely feel them but they are there. They said they have to put it on a rack and pull out the creases, they also have to paint the entire rear of the car up to the doors and the top. I have taken it to the top notch body shop that the Mini Dealer recommended. They said I will never be able to tell it was wrecked. I am skeptical. Needeless to say distraught. Does anybody know what my options are with the insurance company? Should it be considrered totalled? Just looking for some insight...

 

The damage looks similar to what happened to another guy on here when a woman driving a H2 hit him. Did similar damage and it was fixed and the car looks like new.

I know how you feel. To think that the car will be fixed perfectly and you will wish it was totalled and get a new baby. Because in all likelyhood it will never be perfect.

 

Thanks for the moral support. To top it all off the rental car I get is a Hooptie as my teenage kids call it! A chev Cobalt...silver yuck!

 

I believe that it's up to the insurance company to determine whether or not it's totaled -- you can't request or demand it -- and it's dependant upon the repairs costing more than x% of the vehicles value. $6K of damage isn't going to get your car totaled.

I'm sure it will be fine -- if it's not, keep demanding that they redo it until it is. Sucks to hear about things like this -- could have been worse though: at least you're alright!

 

I feel for you especially having to deal with Allstate. $6000 won't come close to totaling the Mini. Allstate treats their own customers badly when they have wrecks (& I speak with experience unfortunately) so I can only imagine how they treat people their customers hit. Good luck to you. Hopefully they will fix it properly & if they don't keep making them fix it & fit it again til they get it right.

 

I wouldnt worry about it either. It "looks" superficial. Of course, we can't see any damage in the suspension but if the frame aint bent, I bet you will never know it happened.

Only the insurance company can declare it "totalled"

 

Most states put a threshold of 75% or 80%, meaning that unless the damage estimate exceeds 75% of its value, it will be repaired. Will it look great once finished - it should, if the shop knows what they are doing. Will the fact that it was in an accident be undetectable - impossible. Once it has been mounted on a frame machine and been pulled, anyone worth their salt will be able to tell it's been pulled.

Now, what you need to determine is if your state allows you to make a diminished value claim, where you get compensated for the amount the trade-in value of the car has decreased due to the accident.

 

Interesting I will have to ask around about the diminished value claim...Thanks. As long as it drives and looks the same I will be happy, not planning on ever trading or selling it! My wife teases me saying one of the kids will get it when I croak or be buried it it!

 

So sorry to hear about that

If the insurance company gives you any hassle, your insurance may step in if required. Usually if it comes to this, your insurance co. may make you pay your deductible and they'll pay to get your car fixed. Once they get it settled with the other insurance co. you'll get your deductible back (if they made you pay it)

Hopefully you'll get it back soon and it'll be done really well, but $6000 in damage unfortunately won't get it totaled. Take care and remember to pay attention to the details in the shop's work before you accept your car back

 

how's your neck feel?

IF they screw around w/ fixing it or trying to short change you on the quality of repairs I'd make sure that started hurting REAL quick. (To do so go to a doctor TOMORROW to get that on record, whether you end up playing that card or not).

Just my opinion though.

Best of luck, as a new mini owner that's one of my fears too!

 

Same thing happened to me with my previous car. But at the end, I got my deductible back.

 

I've had to deal with Allstate before. Bad experience, they were trying to save themselves money at the expense of properly repairing my car worse than any company I've encountered.

If you want to get something to go by on the "diminished value" claim, go to www.kbb.com and follow their instructions. There will be a checklist where you can check "repaired damage greater than $3,000".
You can compare this value with the value you get when you don't check this item.
This could be helpful to have when talking to Allstate. Remember, even if the car could be fixed perfectly, you are still entitled to the reduced value payment.

Hopefully everything will go OK, but if you must, play hardball with Allstate, they deserve it IMO.

 

The body shop which only works on BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar said I could come in and watch them work on the car. Yes I know that sounds sick but I want to see it when it is apart to see if there is any more damage. I am going to doc Monday or Tuesday, my lower back, neck and thumbs hurt. I braced myself against the steering wheel and the force from the back beny my thumbs back as my arms went forward. I will post pics when they start work next week.

 

Does this apply in Ohio?

 

I know how you feel. My wife had a brand new Honda Accord with less than 6K miles on it when she was T-boned in an intersection because the other driver ran a red light. The damages were over 15K and it took 13 weeks to fix. I was surprised, but the body shop did an excellent job and we were never able to tell the difference. We did put the claim through our insurance company (State Farm) and they took care of everything and settled with the other insurance carrier. We kept the car for another 4 years and 60K miles and never had a problem with it. Find the right body shop and you will have nothing to worry about.

 

Thanks...for the support. so far one bump with Allstate. They are fighting me over a stinking tire. When the bumper pushed into the rear tire it took a couple chunks out of it. They said the crash did not cause it, but are willing to pay me 70% for new tire....

 

you start letting them know you're about to sue them for neck injuries, and they'll knock that s_ _ _ off immediately.

I forget the avg. neck injury payout from being rear ended, but I recall it's around $8k if you just blink your eyes twice.

It's a shame in our society that you have to play hardball w/ ins. companies, but you really do to protect yourself.

Best of luck.

 

So sorry to hear this happened to your baby. I'm sure the body shop has plenty of experience dealing with insurance companies, so let them worry about getting paid. The shop is working for you, not Allsnake, and you are the one they need to satisfy.
Can't tell from the photos, but it looks pretty straightforward. Once the shop opens it up, if there is more damage then Allsnake will be writing a 2nd check for the balance.
Be of good cheer. All will be right again soon.

ps: can you tell I don't care for Allsnake? I ran body shops for 15 years and have more than enough experience dealing with them. I have been known to make their adjusters cry on occasion.

 

I know body work has come a long way...I just want it right. Yes Allsnake is bad used parts, But not on my car!

 

My condolences to you.

I hope you aren't genuinely hurt. I really do. That said, be aware that neck/back injuries sometimes take time to manifest themselves. Make sure you get checked out thouroghly.

As for the car, I'd get rid of it. I doubt the insurance company will total it. It looks like they're gearing up to be a PITA over the tire already. I haven't had good luck getting body work done. If the area the hatch seals against is bent or tweaked, it'll never seal right.

Rawhyde

 

Sorry..... I know you must be sad....but body shops do wonders these days. We were rear ended in our 02' - $3000 of damage (not as much as yours obviously) but it was like new again when we got it back...

Insurance companies have specific guidelines to go by as far as how much damage (dollar wise) in order to total a car.

Donna

 

I think that this is very good advice, to be aware that your physical symptoms may show up in a week or in a month. PLEASE do not sign off on anything to do with releasing Allstate from health claims on your part!

As for your MINI....if you have any hesitation, be sure to find out about diminished value, and sell it, then order a new MINI. Good luck to you!

 

I feel you're pain, I have a post somewhere on here about my brand new MCS that was rear-ended by a box truck. It pushed me into a Jeep infront of me. About $3800 worth of damage. Luckily there was no actual body damage, just the bonnet, front and rear bumps, and the hatch. I hope to get it back next week. I hate not having my Mini.

 

sorry to hear, it does not look that serious from the angles that the photos are taken, how is your rear quarter panels? again, sorry to see this happening to you, hope everything works fine

 

Yes, I'm sure the Kelly Blue Book value is applicable. I would ask for loss of value from Allstate and first see what they say. If you have a problem you have the Kelly Blue Book info to use. Also, ask a dealership (MINI or other) to give you their difference in value between a wrecked and repaired MINI and a never damaged one.

Don't let this issue go, financial compensation in addition to excellent repairs is something you deserve.

Your MINI is worth less than it was before the damage. Whether you ever intend to sell it is irrelevant.