Unsustainable car repair costs

[kdonnel]

While driving home from work last month my car got pelted by falling glass.

Just got what should be the final estimate.

$17,123.90 for the repairs
$2,214.00 for diminished value

$19,337.90 for what amounts to superficial damage. Nothing mechanical was broken. Other than the broken windshield all the damage is cosmetic. Lots and lots of prep and paint.

With repair costs like this it's no wonder that car insurance costs are rising.

I wonder if anyone will be able to afford car insurance in 10 years? Cars are becoming more and more disposable to make it more likely the driver and passengers are uninjured. As a result a little 5-10 MPH crash in a parking lot often results in a totaled car.

This one accident is costing the equivalent of almost 12 years of premiums and there was no mechanical damage.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Amazing that they can't figure out how much it should cost to paint a car & replace a windshield.

 

[BrianL]

Man, that cost to repaint is brutal - as much as some cars cost! That's scary what happened too. That glass truck needs to be more careful. I hope that they are covering everything (or their insurance).

 

[John VN]

Porsche or Vette or ????

 

[tvguy]

Man, that cost to repaint is brutal - as much as some cars cost! That's scary what happened too. That glass truck needs to be more careful. I hope that they are covering everything (or their insurance).

Absolutely. Having to paint an entire car these days can cost over $10,000 with the labor. Just the cans of paint can cost $3,000 or more.

 

[kdonnel]

Porsche or Vette or ????

A Ford.

But it does have a 3 step paint process for the red my car is painted.

 

[dizneegirl]

I think I'd look into wrapping it...

 

[Cadiewampus]

Where is Earl Scheib when you need them?

 

[TiggerTrigger]

That's crazy!!! I've never seen anything like that.

As for the costs, it's hard for me to compare without seeing the vehicle damage. We had a tree fall on our driveway this past spring. It totaled my husband's truck and damaged my SUV.

• He had lower mileage 2022 Ram 1500 crew cab (mid range add on's). The damage was estimated around $19k. They felt this was enough to total the vehicle.
  • Obviously, his vehicle had depreciated significantly in value (according to them). I think 60% is around the range you start getting into totaling a vehicle. Not sure what your vehicle's value is at, but that's a pretty hefty damage amount to not total it. Especially considering what you're getting with diminished value.
• I have a 2021 Palisade (top trim). I had a badly cracked windshield, small to medium dents all over my hood (comparable to hail damage), and about 6-10 comparable dents along the roof, fenders, and front seat doors.
  • My damage costs came out just under $9,000.
  • I know my windshield is usually around $1,800 for replacement, partly due to heads up display.
  • I know they replaced my entire hood.
  • I know they had to take out my interior headliner to get to the dents in the roof.
  • They also repainted portions of the vehicle.
• My brother negotiated diminished value on his Mercedes SUV. It should be around 10% of your vehicle's pre accident value.

I still have the detailed report somewhere if cost comparisons would be helpful. I can even share some pics if it's worth comparing damage.

 

[Sheryl2059]

Tells me my next new car should be as cheap a car as I can find.

 

[mjkacmom]

We drive our vehicles into the ground, I’ve had folks approach me in parking lots with body work offers (duct tape works just fine). We pay over $12,000 a year to insure 4 vehicles, collision only on 2.

 

[Genie+]

How bad did your car look visually?

 

[kdonnel]

As for the costs, it's hard for me to compare without seeing the vehicle damage.

If you were 20 feet away you might not notice anything.

As you get closer you would notice one or two nicks in the paint. Once you get the right angle you see hundreds of nicks in the hood, hundreds in the bumper, thousands along the entire passenger side of the car.

The damage is subtle and disturbing at the same time.

I am just thankful I was not on a motorcycle or in a convertable.

 

[BrianL]

Where is Earl Scheib when you need them?

$99.95, baby!

 

[John VN]

Where is Earl Scheib when you need them?

$99.95, baby!

Had the 1st car I bought, a used 1963VW Bug painted Red by Earl and it looked brand new.

 

[disneyseniors]

Probably a dumb question, but it looks like you have video of the glass falling off the semi truck?
So, if that is true, wouldn't the trucking company be liable?

 

[kdonnel]

Probably a dumb question, but it looks like you have video of the glass falling off the semi truck?
So, if that is true, wouldn't the trucking company be liable?

They are.

I filed with my insurance for ease. My insurance is fighting to get reimbursed. Apparently dealing with commercial insurance is even more painful than non commercial. At some point I will get my $250 deductible back.

 

[Sheryl2059]

With visual proof I cant see the commercial insurance winning so I would *think* they would simply settle instead of paying the money to fight a losing battle. Unless, that insurance company in itself wants to make sure the insured didnt do anything unsafe to begin with.

 

[kymom99]

Long story but my son was interning in southern Arizona at Chiricahua national monument. It’s located in a canyon. He was advised to prop his hood open to deter mice from climbing into the engine to chew the wires. Apparently it happens a lot there. He had his hood open and the winds kicked up. Before he could get outside, the hood blew back, the pole dropped and the hood slammed shut. Along the sides, the fenders bent back from where the hood hyperextended. I sent pictures to my friend to show her son, who does body work. He estimated $4000, partly because of the white pearl paint. I about fainted. We never did fix it. About a year and a half later he totaled it, so….

 

[disneyseniors]

They are.

I filed with my insurance for ease. My insurance is fighting to get reimbursed. Apparently dealing with commercial insurance is even more painful than non commercial. At some point I will get my $250 deductible back.

So glad to hear that. Still, that's a horrible amount to charge anyone.
We are toying around with whether it's worth it to buy a dashboard camera.
I think this shows that it is a good idea.
I hear that some people back up into your car and claim you hit them! A camera would stop all that.