Need autobody recommendations in Minneapolis for 2011 Jetta

[veedubmechanic]

autoworks FTL

[jrrood]

i was hit in duluth a few years ago by a lady driving a minivan. she had progrssive and they tried to put some of the blam on me (i was 100% not at fault, she turned in front of me). i filed through my insurance (amFam) and they took progressive to arbitration and won the case. get the photos and video to them and they'll do you well.

Hope it turns out alright. it looks like it is/was a really nice wagon

[Casper]

Any update?

[Architect15]

Last time I talked to Shawn it was at raymonds waiting for parts

[shawn o]

Raymond has had the car now since June 25th. I think they have most of the parts now. They're doing a few extras so the car is perfect when I get it back. I had a couple small scratches on the rear bumper when I bought it, plus the damage done to it by either Autoworks or the tow company. I'm paying them extra to repaint the rear bumper, paint the side mirror housings, and paint an extra set of sidemarkers for me. New bumper won't be drilled for a front plate and I have a US Mill Works toehook mount en route now.

I purchased the Golf "Highline" front, lower center grill with chrome trim and Raymond it taking that off the bill since insurance is covering it. Also purchased OEM foglights and they are covering part of that expense (the cost of the grills themselves).

3rd parties insurance (Farmers) has accepted responsibility and I am now in a rental car (Ford Escape).

Bill is up to $9,000 and climbing. No frame damage at all though, which is good. No damage to the engine other than a couple bent brackets and some small plastic pieces including the radiator fans.

I'm going to keep the car and I was over pursuing the whole "diminished value" claim but after seeing the bill, I think its in my best interest to do it. Repair bill is 38% of the value of the car that I only owned ONE DAY prior to the accident.

I already spoke to Farmers about it and they said they won't consider any diminished value. So I will have to get an appraisal done on the car as soon as I get it back. I already have one from my credit union (NADA value with and without damage), I'll get one only from a diminished value specialty firm, and another from the dealer I purchased it from. Will also have to get a copy of the Carfax showing the accident on the car's VIN report.

Wonder how long stuff takes to show up on Carfax?

Then I will send them a demand letter, then file in small claims court for the maximum allowed if they don't respond. Some states, require by law, insurance companies to pay diminished value everytime there is an accident. In other states, Minnesota included, the insurance companies hope you have never heard of "diminished value" and just go away after repairs are complete. Its just when one goes to sell the car, do they understand what diminished value is....

[veedubmechanic]

yea, about deminished value.
Dude came in to my work, with a customer wanting to buy his yaris. we did a carfax for them and it showed salvage.

Long story short, it took a swim, the guy repaired it, and was tying to sell it for book retail value. Then proceeded to tell his customer we were just trying to get them as a customer by telling them not to buy a salvage lake car for book value.
They didn't even know it was salvage.
we gave them a ride home to lake street.
end of story.

[TTaM]

Any update?

[shawn o]

Got the car back last Wednesday after a couple small issues. Was waiting on the factory emissions sticker for the hood and got that in the mail today.

[JK9K]

Shitty situation all around, but it seems the car came our looking pretty nice!

[JUSTION337]

Sounds like a lot of work to shave the front license plate.

[CaRJoE0220]

+ New Fogs + Color Matched Reflectors.

Glad it all turned out. Looks nice!!!

[JTapper]

Sounds like a lot of work to shave the front license plate.

It's not quite as simple as a barn.

[veedubmechanic]

did you get the clearshield done yet?

[shawn o]

Good luck with the DV claim. Its very hard to prove unless the vehicle is sold. Also, on common vehicles, the results are often not worth the effort. High end and exotics are a different story.

Submitted a demand letter and substantial documentation to Farmers last week in regards to diminished value on my Jetta. Two appraisals (one from BVW and the other from DVAssess) and a third I got via NADA for the same car with and with out prior damage. Also, a copy of the Carfax showing damage on the vehicles history. I was fully prepared to take them to conciliation court (small claims court) and indicated in my demand letter I would ask for the higher loss amount.

The three appraisals estimated loss in value between $4,400-$6,530 due to the accident even though the car was perfectly repaired.

Today I received this in the mail without any contact from Farmers since I sent them the letter.....anyone with accident damage on a newer car, make sure and ask for diminished value on your vehicle.

According to the insurance company originally, there was no such thing as diminished value. They originally said they'd "never heard of it". LOL.

[TTaM]

You went about it the right way. Most people aren't willing to go that far. And, with a bill of over $9K on a nearly new car, you definately had a case.

Well done.