CarAndDriver

I guess my number was up tonight. I was driving down a 3 lane street in the far right lane when a VW Jetta in the middle lane decided to do change lanes without signaling and almost hit me. I swerved to the right to avoid him and hit some plastic pole lane barriers for an offramp lane coming into the street.

Fortunately, I got him to stop and the cops said to exchange insurance information and to not file a claim report as it would automatically go to the DMV. Of course, the driver said he looked when he was turning - total BS. Since the insurance companies won't be able to tell who was at fault - it'll be 50/50 I'm sure. I haven't had any insurance claims or accidents in 18 years. Totally bummed. My friend said it would have been better for him to have hit me slightly.

Well here are some pics of the damage and location it took place. There is a dent and paint damage on the right front lower passenger door and a very small ding/dent on the right rear door. Any thoughts on how much it might cost? I forgot to look at my deductible - do you think I should have not claimed it on insurance? Or any other thoughts/advice? Thanks from this accident victim.

*Update: In the daylight, I discovered the plastic tube lane barriers did a job on my rim and tire. Te tire damage isn't too deep. The rim damage looks ugly, but not life threatening. I took some cleaner to the dent spots and looks to be very little paint damage due to the tubes being plastic. However, it might be hard to get a dent out of the lower character line. Pics on next post.

CarAndDriver

Additional pics.

ZumnRx8

SUX dude Pics dont work though...

CarAndDriver

Fixed pics. Thanks. Will keep everyone updated once I get estimate(s) and what happens with insurance. Should be getting call Wednesday from claims person handling case.

Seems like a lot of 8 owners getting shafted by bad drivers lately.

ZumnRx8

Man dude. I know its not my car or what-not, but I started feeling so so bad for you because I have crashed my car 2 times and it sucks (crashin the 8), I was panicking! But IM glad that its not that bad, Hope everything turns out well for you. STUPID VW :

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

if you look around you might be able to find a reasonable place dont go too cheap though coz you get what you pay for ... if the estimates are around your deductible dont claim it and it shouldnt be too much higher than your deductible if it is claim otherwise dont

Hidef1080

I don't have any real idea on the cost but it should be small [less than 1k].

If it were me, I'd take it to a good shop just to see how much they are talking about and then go from there.

My deductible is $500 so anything at that price point or a little higher, I'd pay myself.

IF you can get the VW person to pay then I'd let them pay [either the person or their insurance company].

I really don't think it's going to be close to $1000 but I am fast learning that body work on RX-8 is very damn high for one reason or another.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

you need to repaint the area maybe the whole door, around 300 bux.

JinDesu

iTrader: (2)

Wouldn't you be able to get an insurance quote, and opt to pay it directly anyways?

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I think they're trying to avoid going thru insurance.

cuz it doesnt matter if insurance has to pay or not --- if you report anything to them, its a +1 to your file. no matter what.

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

^ true insurance ******** are looking for reasons to put stuff on your file ALWAYS

derek54

my guess is around $450

ZumnRx8

IM guessing around $600 labor/paint

refugeefrompistons

It's black, a painter's favorite color. He will blend it but will still probably run you around $600 or so.

CarAndDriver

Well I visited a few body shops for estimates. Will visit another one on Monday. It looks to just fix the two doors is going to be $800-1000. Chalk it up to labor rates, even at my insurance contracted lower rates in the $60s/hour. If I want to fix the doors, new tire, refinish rim, fix an appearance package front spoiler scrape and adjust an ill-fitting side aero flare, it'll be $1550-1700.

My deductible is $1000 and my insurance will go up at least $85 a year for 3 years so at this point, I might just fix the doors and buy a new tire myself and have it installed and not worry about the other items, which are minor and not make my insurance pay out anything.

Either way, I'm out unnecessary dinero.

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

sounds like a plan ... that does sound a tad bit on the high side

CarAndDriver

I think everything costs more in California...sadly.