Absolute Catastropy Today

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Alex,

I know you will have a frame check done (since it was a T-Bone impact accident), before you proceed with repairs. I am attaching a good website that provides some pointers.

Here -----> https://www.impactautobody.com/how-do-i-know-if-my-car-frame-is-bent/

All the best with the repair steps.

Dieter

[zoegrlh]

You should be ok, that’s three insurance companies working to cover the cost.

[Iconic]

Alex,
So sorry to hear about this, but of course, Tom being ok is great news.
Some of us complain about the value going up on these cars for various reasons, but this is one case where I believe it works in your favor.
The expectation for a quality re-build is supported by the value of the car. If it was a $12,000 car, you would not be able to get the same level of work done.
That car is special to you, special to community. I've really enjoyed seeing it in person. Fantastic interior and the stories of what lengths you went to, to satisfy yourself.
Take care.
Mark

[114015]

Dear Alex,

So sorry for your misfortune but also glad that Tom is doing okay.

The damage looks severe, but manageable. Of course, checking properly the impact of the body is most important;
everything else (door, fenders, rear axle, etc.) can be replaced pretty easily.

I recommend to talk to as many talented shops and friends here as possible - in order to find one shop which will be able to do the job properly.
Whatever will come up, this can be done.

Good luck and take care,
Achim

[Merc_Girl]

Not sure why your insurance should pay anything given the accident was not of your making? Perhaps the rules are different in the US?

I’m mindful that insurance companies may wish to right cars off if repair costs are high (seem to remember if cost to repair is approx 1/2 / 2/3 value of car?), then they offer a settlement but you have option to effectively pay the scrap value to retain the car. Then costs to put back on road are up to you and hopefully monies remaining from the compensation will pay for the repairs?

[mdsalemi]

Not sure why your insurance should pay anything given the accident was not of your making? Perhaps the rules are different in the US?

Katie, we have 50 states here all with their own insurance rules--and rates. Some are vastly different than others. For example, in all but one state--Michigan--payments from your insurance for catastrophic injuries are "capped" at a certain amount, say $1,000,000. Michigan has no cap, and the rates are among the highest in the nation because of it.

We also have "no fault" insurance where YOUR insurance company pays for YOUR damages; keeps a lot of the courts and legal system free of these things. Some states have the no fault only for injury, others extend it to collision too.

When we moved from Michigan to North Carolina, our insurance rates on three cars (drivers) dropped about 60%. Insurance on the Pagoda remained mostly the same, but my stated amount has gone up with the value.

[Merc_Girl]

Katie, we have 50 states here all with their own insurance rules--and rates. Some are vastly different than others. For example, in all but one state--Michigan--payments from your insurance for catastrophic injuries are "capped" at a certain amount, say $1,000,000. Michigan has no cap, and the rates are among the highest in the nation because of it.

We also have "no fault" insurance where YOUR insurance company pays for YOUR damages; keeps a lot of the courts and legal system free of these things. Some states have the no fault only for injury, others extend it to collision too.

When we moved from Michigan to North Carolina, our insurance rates on three cars (drivers) dropped about 60%. Insurance on the Pagoda remained mostly the same, but my stated amount has gone up with the value.

Thanks Michael for the clarification, boy am I glad we live in simpler times in the UK, albeit I believe for the ‘no blame’ scenario (or what on a race track they refer to as a ‘racing incident’ 😉), the same is true on this side of the pond, ie your insurance company pays for your damage (happy to be corrected by fellow  ‘islanders’ if this is not the case)

However in Alex’s case, it was clearly not ‘his’ (although understand not driving at the time) fault as someone went into him when he was happily minding own business whilst driving on a main road (maybe I have misunderstood how the accident happened). I think there is something if someone is slightly less to blame then the other insurance company has to make a contribution as well. I remember many moons ago when my mother unfortunately hit a car that was turning right (ie turning across a road) just after a blind corner. As the driver of the other car had positioned their car close to the curb, rather than close to the centre line, insurance found them partly to blame for the accident and also they had the ability to stop nearer to the apex of the bend that would enable other drivers to be able to see they were stationary, whilst the other driver would still have sufficient visibility to see when it was safe to turn.

I my simple mind, I cannot see the logic where some idiot can drive into your car, and there was no fault on your part, that you have to contribute to the costs! The world has gone mad!!

[mdsalemi]

However in Alex’s case, it was clearly not ‘his’ (although understand not driving at the time) fault as someone went into him when he was happily minding own business whilst driving on a main road (maybe I have misunderstood how the accident happened)...I my simple mind, I cannot see the logic where some idiot can drive into your car, and there was no fault on your part, that you have to contribute to the costs! The world has gone mad!!

Insurance is one of the reasons why the world has gone a bit bonkers. In this particular case of Alex's car, it's only started to become settled. There's a lot more work to do and the insurance companies will be speaking on this.

There's a concept of insurance in the USA called subrogation. I'm sure some of our members in the UK can fill us in on whatever it is similar in UK. In a subrogation case/claim, one insurance company (NOT the one really responsible) pays the claim on behalf of its insured client. THEN they go after the "at fault" party's insurance company. This generally happens behind the scenes and after the claim has been paid, and the injured car/party has been "made whole" and paid off.

[Merc_Girl]

Insurance is one of the reasons why the world has gone a bit bonkers. In this particular case of Alex's car, it's only started to become settled. There's a lot more work to do and the insurance companies will be speaking on this.

There's a concept of insurance in the USA called subrogation. I'm sure some of our members in the UK can fill us in on whatever it is similar in UK. In a subrogation case/claim, one insurance company (NOT the one really responsible) pays the claim on behalf of its insured client. THEN they go after the "at fault" party's insurance company. This generally happens behind the scenes and after the claim has been paid, and the injured car/party has been "made whole" and paid off.

Yes, I think we have the same system here, but wouldn’t know the ‘official’ terminology as as you mention, it all goes on behind the scenes

[Alex D]

Well 657 days after the accident, finally arrived back home last Wednesday.  Would not have been possible without the help of this group.  Would like to thank all who helped me in the background, not always posting on the site. 

Special thank you to Mike Salemi who recommend Satish Tummula and his crew at Motorwerks Luxury Vehicle Center in Commerce Charter Township, MI.  Prior to meeting Satish, I had 3 no quotes on doing the body work, and one said they will not give an estimate, will send an invoice at end of the month and I pay it with no questions asked until done -  just plain crazy, I’m not a bank or the US government.  Satish not only gave an estimate that was reasonable but came in below the estimate for the body work. At the Pinehurst Motoring Expo this weekend, met a 30-year retired body man, he could not tell where it was repainted. 

Highly recommend Motorwerks to anyone not just for body work, but did several mechanical enhancements as well, new Tremec 5 speed to replace the 4 speed, new Time Valve exhaust, re welded seat springs and reused the original nla turquoise seat covers to name a few.

Again, thank you Mike Salemi, would not have a functional Pagoda today if was not for your recommendation, forever grateful.



Alex

[Rahul]

Awesome, congratulations Alex... Am sure it has felt like an incredibly long wait but well worth it, beautiful car!

[johnk]

It’s looks really nice Alex. Glad to see you back on the road again!

[merrill]

Really nice!

[Jowe]

Congratulations Alex. It has been a long time for you waiting for this day. Now, enjoy!

[Garry]

Congratulations on getting it back Alex. A relief I am sure.

[Mike Hughes]

Wunderbar!  ;^)

[zoegrlh]

Alex, I know you are one happy man now that the process is over. Photos look real nice. Oh and to top it off a new 5 speed. Congrats. Bob

[mdsalemi]

What Alex partially conveyed in his update note was the frustration in finding a shop that would properly deal with the body work. It is a frustration wished upon none of our members to have shops basically so busy that they are forced to turn away business, say they can get to it "in a year or two", just leave the car with us and we'll send you monthly bills, or turn to downright arrogance. I think he found all of that!

In addition, the crash repairs included (the 5 speed Tremec not withstanding) mechanical repairs too.

Unfortunately dealing with insurance companies is rarely a pleasant thing, and in Alex's case was exacerbated by multiple insurance companies being involved. To file the proper claim and get the process moving along, the insurance companies needed one complete estimate that encompassed both mechanical and body...

...and that's when I suggested he consider the shop in Michigan (Motorwerks Group LLC) that did a bit of work on my car several times in the past. Not only do they know the Pagodas quite well, they are fully capable of both body and mechanical work and are as reasonable as it gets. In addition, the owner--Satish Tummala also has a software company that provides estimating software. So, Alex flew Satish down to Raleigh last year, he brought his laptop and estimating software, and was able to detail exactly what needed to be done. When Satish returned back home, he was then able to research the parts costs and provide one complete estimate which was needed for the insurance company.

Armed with the estimate for insurance, Alex was able to move ahead with the claim. Meanwhile it was "booked" into Motorwerks schedule and the car was shipped there to arrive when they could work on it. Though it was several months after the crash and estimate, once the car arrived they began work within days.

I was happy to be able to point Alex to a good resource to get the task at hand completed in the least painful and most expedient manner.

[neelyrc]

Alex, congratulations on getting it all together again. Looks fantastic! What a great chapter to add to the storied history of your car.

Enjoy!!