Get to test insurance

[Jonny B]

With all the various comments, discussions, topics, etc, about insurance; I now get to test mine out. While heading TO the local pub for an ale, some jerk; while I am waiting to merge into a right hand turn, taps the back of my 250 SL. Fairly low speed, but still damage to the the paint and body work at the trunk. The lights and bumpers appear to be alright. Insurance company has been contacted, adjuster assigned, so now the hoops remain. Oh, and yes, the $%&*(# just ran off. Will keep ya'll posted on what happens next. Going to speak with my mechanic tomorrow to see what he suggest, and where he suggests. #$*()W%()*W way to open a weekend.

[49er]

Oh man, sorry to hear that Jonny. I think that is a fear we all have and just keep our fingers crossed that we get our cars home safely. Hope your insurance comes through for you and also hope the police find the SOB that took off.

John

[RonB]

I know the feeling - the adjuster wanted to paint 1/2 of my 280 - o(riginal paint). I took it all apart and they sprung for a total paint - unable to match 43 old paint.
Change color from tobacco to  Dark Gray.

Good Luck
Ron

[Garry]

Really bad news Jon.  Matching paint is a true PIA, I probably spent more money on matching than what a repaint would have cost

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Sorry to hear this Jonny, hope all works out for you! Do keep us posted as to developments and the support you get from your insurance company.

Best of luck to you.

PS. This is always my fear when I take mine out too many idiots on the road, last week I was going 70 km/h in a 60 zone when some idiot decided I was going too slow he overtook me in a left turning lane then cut me off almost causing a head on collision with oncoming traffic. Good that  no one was behind me and my brakes are in good shape.  Last year some idiot decided to overtake on a two lane road and I had to get off the road into the gravel part, was lucky not to end up in the ditch. As said there are too many idiots out there!

Watch out everyone and enjoy your summer driving!

[Jonny B]

I am hoping the repaint will be able to match. The car was completely redone in 2000 so the paint is recent, and has been garaged since. Going to see Franz today.

[Jonny B]

Update:
Took the car over to Franz this afternoon to get his comments/estimate. The practiced eye sure won out. The impact was mainly at the edge of the right bumper at the point nearest the gas filler. It pushed the bumper into the rear tail panel, and bent the  panel enough so that it makes contact with the spare tire. It also dented the gas tank filler cover inside the trunk. The trunk floor was scrunched in and bent up by about 1.5 cm. You can see separation at the edge of the tail lights.

So looking at a new tail panel (which is a double panel), new trunk floor, rechromed bumpers, new bumper bracket and the attendant fixes. Early figure is $5K+.

Police identified the second vehicle, but owner states, "I was at work until 5 PM (incident occurred at 3:55 PM), and I don't lend the car to anyone." Funny dent in the front license plate of said car……. How shall I type; bullish*t.

Ran through the gauntlet with the insurance folks this afternoon, no resolution, the number I got at the end of the run around, was the same one I started with.

The saga continues.

[Peter van Es]

Jon, sorry to hear. But isn't the issue with the second car for your insurance company to sort out? And if you have good classic car insurance, would they not pay up the $5K or more that it would cost?

Peter

[mdsalemi]

Terrible, unfortunate incident, Jon. Sickening, particularly with the runaway who did it.
Do you have "defined value" insurance for the full value of the car? A solid policy like that would allow YOU to decide where to take it.
On regular car insurance (as opposed to classic car) our local MB independent is always fighting with the clueless adjusters, who will insert themselves into the repair process. They'll do really stupid things like require a used part that costs more to ship, fit and finish in total than a new MB part. Usually they are pretty clueless. That's one area where the classic car insurance is supposed to differ.
Hope it all works out...

[KevinC]

Jon. So sorry to hear. I'll be interested to know how things go for you.

Kevin

[gimp]

Jon.
Sorry to hear about your mishap.
I will be interested to hear the final result
Frank

[Jonny B]

On Saturday I went to speak with my mechanic/tech guru. His practiced eye was quite revealing, unfortunately. The main point of the impact was the edge of the right back bumper, nearest the gas filler cap. The impact dented the outer tail panel, and pushed it in right near where the gas filler is. The spare tire is now in contact with the inner tail panel. The trunk floor is buckled up about 1.5 centimeters. Not sure about the gas tank neck. Potential issues with the deck lid (!!). Read that as a pretty good dollar sized repair.

The police did find the car but the owner stated, "I was at work until 5 PM (incident occurred at 3:55 PM) and I never lend my car." Funny though, there was a dent, pushed in area, on the front license plate.... There is no way I could identify the person driving, just did not get a good look, so no prosecution potential.

Still have not heard from the insurance company.
Will post as the saga develops.

[mmizesko]

Jon,

Sounds awful.  Check K&K in Michigan for new Tail Panel.  I'm very happy with my lower half we welded in this spring.  Not sure if they do trunk floors.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[Jonny B]

Mike,

Yes, I did look at KK for the panel and for the floor (they have both). Now it is trying to figure out how to deal with the insurance company on next steps.

[Garry]

Jon,

You have put the moz on me.  My wifes MB A Class got hit in the passanger side whilst parked. No note no other car seen. 3 panels damaged, 5 panels need respray to feather in the colour. Now I am going to test my insurance company that covers all my cars. If the company does a good paint job I may even get my HardTop re painted in the correct colour, 350H,  instead of the current 334G that it is.

Hope these things don’t come in threes

Garry

[Jonny B]

Garry, oh  my, sorry to see about that!! Let's put a stop to this right here, right now!

Still waiting to hear from the adjuster, I called again yesterday. Hope that is not a harbinger of the type of service.

[fmen3366]

You should be OK with the insurance, Jon. It happened to me about a year ago. Someone cut in front of me and hit the passenger headlamp and nicked the paint under the bumper. Very light hit but nevertheless vey irritating since I just had a full respray. Got a quote from a classic car restorer and gave me a $1500-2000 estimate. Since it was a hit and run, one thing I made sure was to get a police report within  minutes of the accident which I believe you had done. Called up my insurance carrier and all they asked was an estimate/quote and some pictures of the damaged area. I gave them the police report and the $ check came in within a couple of weeks. No adjuster necessary.

[Jonny B]

Estimate is set to be done on Monday morning. I will be taking the car to Franz, Silver Star Mercedes for the work. The insurance follow up on the other vehicle is in the works, as they have the license and the police found the vehicle.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Jonny, glad to her they found the car that made the damage.

I think stuff does come in three (one of the posts above) my 2013 e350 got hit in the shopping centre (hit and run) on the left hand rear bumper. Damage is around $2,000- people seam not to care for other peoples property.

[Jonny B]

Indeed, I wish the damage was only in the $2000 range. I/we are suspecting damage to the deck lid, gas tank, bumper brackets……. It is going to be (most likely) a good bit over $6000, argh!

[sandcrab59]

Jon
I remember your 250SL from Blacklick, very nice.
Yes K&K does have all the panels, except the hoods. He gets them from Poland.
As far as the insurance goes I use Grundy INS on my Model A ,my 280SL and my wifes 82 300SD.
Believe it or not but the higher the value you personally  place on the car for collision the rate is cheaper.

All 3 cars are cheaper than my regular 83 300SD insurance premium, mainly because those cars are occasional use where as my 83 300SD is a daily driver.
Hope this helps.
Tom Mrowka

[66andBlue]

……. It is going to be (most likely) a good bit over $6000, argh!

Jon,
don't get your hopes too high and your estimates too low!  It will be more when you are done. 

[Jonny B]

Yes, just call me optimistic! Perhaps in denial too?!

[sandcrab59]

Jon:
My friend (past away) had a body shop and I was there a lot.
Depending on how bad the trunk floor is bent it can be stretched back into shape. I have seen it done in the past.
Ask your body shop about it a real good one can do it.
Tom Mrowka

[Jonny B]

Tom,

I think these folks are pretty good, so will have to wait and see what their verdict is. A trunk floor is not all that expensive. Buds Benz has factory replacement at $200. It is the trunk lid (potential right now) at close to $3000!! The bumper bracket (~$450) and the tail panels. Unknown about the gas tank filler neck.