BluSpectre

Hello! So in December, I had rear ended a Jeep Grand Cherokee in my 2011 RX-8 GT. At such low speeds, damage was minimal to both vehicles. The height of the impact was right on the Mazda badge, damaging the hood, front bumper, VFAD, the metal mounting bracket above the radiator where the bumper mounts and the clips. Originally, my insurance company Geico reviewed my images and claimed that the damage was below the threshold for my deductible, same for the Jeep. The Jeep owner was unhappy that Insurance deemed the damage to both vehicles too minimal and made insurance review again. I opted to take my car to Caliber Collision for inspection, and Insurance calls me a week later claiming my car had been deemed totaled. My first reaction was "Excuse me? Totaled? What happened to 'It's too little damage for the deductible'?" I went back to Caliber and re-inspected the damage myself, as well as requested for the inspector to point out what all was being quoted and why the costs had jumped from literally nothing to $8,700 before deductible. Caliber reported prices for all parts from Mazda Dealerships, including precautionary replacement parts. Makes sense, adding them to the total as a "just in case". But you see, Caliber gave me the list of all prices for repaints, new OEM parts, labor and everything doesn't total up to $8,700; I read $7,395 for EVERYTHING before deductible. And I know for sure many of these parts are either unnecessary (as they are undamaged, but in the area such as both oil coolers, AC compressor and hard lines, etc) as well as I could do the work myself. It's actually minimal. Clearly insurance is trying to scare me off and make a profit, but I don't know what to do here. I still have options, and a week to decide before they automatically write it off and tow it. Some help would be greatly appreciated.

BluSpectre

You can see under the hood fold, the air box got pushed slightly back but removing the damaged VFAD plastic let it reseat back into place.




In this image it's not very clear, but there is no visible damage of the radiator nor AC condenser. The mounts have not shifted.
Some images I took at the time of the incident. I proceeded to drive to work afterwards.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

you can always buy it back if they total it and fix it yourself. the vfad isnt needed btw. some states require a special inspection after a totaled car is fixed before it can be put back on the road and you would end up with an r title so check your local laws

BluSpectre

In this top-down photo with the bumper removed, you can see that the metal bracket was bent. No damage to the coolant bottle, a small crack at the bottom of the air box oval. I was going to replace all of that with an AEM/MazdaSpeed one anyways.

The plastic tray retained it's shape, and you can slightly make out the mishape.

Driver headlamp cracked on the transparent plastic, the rest remains intact. The rear mount is damaged, angled inwards from the metal mounting bracket.

Angled in, but undamaged.

The styrofoam energy absorber was damaged and I removed the intake sock and VFAD. The radiator air scoop is fine, just some plastic scrapes that probably where already there. I observed some prior, and it's not a problem.
I later inspected the vehicle the next morning in the light. I removed the metal brackets, the intake manifold (just in case), radiator shroud and plastic splash gaurds and trim. I quoted myself about $4,000 with all new parts, but used would be way cheaper.

Ricky SE3P

iTrader: (10)

Bumper, hood, maybe fenders, that front support, headlight, body work on frame and ensuring everything is within specs of all the gaps in the body repair manual, general labor, consumables, paint for all parts, that will all add up pretty quickly. You're also talking about a chain business that needs to make profits (where as you aren't concerned with the profit side of things). So yeah, its a big bill.

Heck, my 8 is at a body shop right now not as a result of an accident but instead to get a KBD front bumper and side skirts installed and painted. I supplied the bumpers, they are doing fitment and paint only. They are blending and touching up the front fenders and professionally restoring the headlights as well.. And their work is costing me over $2,000 on top of what it cost for the KBD bumper and side skirts. So yeah, body work is expensive. Now imagine if there was stuff I broke they had to repair? You can see how quickly the price climbs. The headlights on our cars alone are very expensive.

Meat Head

What about leaving insurance out of the picture for your car, addressing the Jeep only? Is this an option since you seem part way to sorting your car anyway?

BluSpectre

I have the option of canceling the whole thing and paying out of pocket. Before I choose what to do in that regard, I will contest the prices and see if I can make them pay for at least some. Why do I pay for insurance if they can't even do their part for the small stuff?
I will need to recheck the Texas laws on that, but I know Salvage titles are street legal here. I don't know the stipulations, and I know it needs to be re-inspected. AEM/Mazdaspeed intake will be replacing that system.

BluSpectre

The Jeep got a brand new rear bumper, no paint needed. Literally all he got.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

on the bright side, you won’t be needing a compression tester after all

BluSpectre

I have been agreeing with insurance on payout for a total loss and keeping the vehicle. We will see how this works out. No matter how this ends up, the odds of me letting go of this car are quite slim. Worst case scenario: Car has no title nor valid vin, I sell it to a local motorsports group who will buy it and make use of the perfectly good frame. Best case scenario: Insurance does their part and helps me pay for the damages instead of being stingy, I keep driving. Hopefully not into the rear end of another Jeep.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Don’t count your chicks yet. I have seen them ask way more a total loss than anyone would ever expect. You can never be sure, but best wishes to your situation.
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BluSpectre

I already assessed the damage and the values, figured accepting the payout and keeping the car was the best course of action. What's the point of insurance if they can't even do their part? Can someone remind me why our Federal Government mandates we pay these thrives to do jack **** with actually insuring our vehicles?
at least the payout was good.