So in April I smacked a deer on the passenger quarter panel of my 350z. It took out the headlight, front bumper cover, hood, fender, radiator core support, and the headlight support bracket. Insurance gave me 5 grand, which I gave to a recommended (small) shop which has since gone under (I'll get to that).

I got a new front from z1auto, a Stillen wing, got a new fender, and... that's about it. After about 6 months of getting the run around, I managed to get my very unfinished car back. I went on to purchase and replace the core support and headlight support (not fun BTW), and a set of headlights. Oh, and some sides from shineauto. Still need a hood...

Past few days I've got everything lined back up and the car is ready for paint, aside from the prep work that needs to be done on the wing, front, sides, and hood when I get it. I had talked the last place into painting the whole car, since replacing parts with aftermarket is relatively cheap, the guy was hoping to get some more business out of this, and I had (supposedly) money left over.

While the car was there, the whole thing was scuffed in prep to be painted. The doorhandles were scuffed to be painted, and the fender emblems were shaved. It looks really bad-***, albeit scuffed all to **** and unfinished...

My question is: Can I go back to the insurance company, explain what happened and claim the remaining work so I can get the damn car painted? I'm not into fraud or anything so if it's not 'legal' I'll just pay for it myself. I didn't file any police reports as the guy (until the last minute) had me convinced the car would get done. And of course, there isn't really any supporting documentation from the shop since it pretty much just up and disappeared. About all I imagine I could get is the cashed check from Geico.

Thoughts?

 

Worth a try, but seems like you might get bent over in the end.

 

Got the guys name??? Have a work order or anything in writing??

I personally would have called the cops jsut for the sake of having it on record you did that. Then I would either get a lawyer or see what you can do yourself.

May be able to get ahold of your geico rep and explain that your car was further diminished...and see if they will take care of it. Its like tasteful vandalism??? lol

 

They can:
1. reopen the claim if they are nice and if they feel like it.
2. You can file a new claim under your comprehensive coverage and get the car painted, your out another deductible though.

 

didnt the insurance give you $5000 already for the damages? I think once theyfork out the money and you accept it, its on you what happens after that.

 

always call the cops, and dont do anything that might even come across as shady

 

6 months.. you were patient enough for that? ...

 

From what it sounds like you would need to file a case in small claims court against the owner of the orignal shop who took your money. Your insurance company is not going to hand you another chunk of money to fix this, basically you had a shop go under and keep your money, that's a loss 9 times out of 10.

 

I would leave the insurance out of it if I was you.
You already got paid, bought aftermarket parts,
and managed to get screwed by an auto shop.
Six months have gone by, and I do not believe
the insurance company will side with you on this one.
Get the BBB, law enforcement, small claims...

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I unfortunately don't have the time to mess around with court, lawyers and all that jazz. Actually, that's why I was able to go 6 months with the shop to begin with. Time flew by simply because I'm so busy.

You know I was right at the point where I was going to call the cops and he delivered the car. I'm actually very relieved that it runs, and my wheels actually came home with it. It could have been much worse.

I'm going to call the insurance company and at least get their input. I figure if nothing else they can just tell me 'no'. I personally would consider it some kind of vandalism, but since I didn't file a report I doubt that's reasonable. I tell you, if I was an insurance company I'd tell me to **** off too. I suppose this is what I get for trying to get the whole car painted and whatnot out of some front end damage.

I'll at least get some pics up here in a few. I just finished cleaning the engine bay back up since it was completely covered in bondo dust & crap.

 

Good points. I may just pay it up so I don't have to deal with the hassle. The guy isn't in business and who knows where the heck he is so it's likely more trouble than worth...

 

When I was rear ended, my insurance company gave me $2200 to cover everything. It ended up costing more than that to fix, so the body shop just went to my insurance to get the rest of the money. I have state farm, they take care of me for the most part.

 

Yeah - had I found additional damages during repair, they would have covered it. This is different though. I did call my agent and am waiting for him to get back with me. I let him know I wasn't looking to 'get over' or anything, just wanted info. We'll see.

 

Agree.

No deal. You settled the claim for $5,000. Its done and over.

 

You've already have a 'no-hoper' going here! You took the insurance company settlement $$ and put it into modding your Z. Now, you're going to go crying to them and saying YOU trusted the wrong bodyshop!? They're gonna tell you (politely) to go spin on it.

If you had taken the car to a 'certified insurance' bodyshop that might be a different scenario. But that shop would have fixed the original damage FIRST and would have never agreed to doing the mods you proposed without you paying extra for them in the first place!

Face it, YOU trusted the wrong people. It happens. Recognize your own failure and take some (not all) personal responsibility in it. When you pay for the final paint and finishing work on your Z, just consider it educational costs in the (harsh) school of life.

 

I hear ya. I'm not really that worried about it - just thought I'd gauge the audience to see if anyone had seen/done similar.

Of little matter, the GEICO adjuster that cut the check even advised to shop around for used/aftermarket parts if I wanted to. There's nothing wrong/illegal with it. Even Collision Plus and other leading repair places in the area support 'modding'. Nevertheless, a learning experience for sure!

Maybe one day I'll tell the story about investing 30k cash in a race-car shop and being taken for every penny. LOL No crap either. Apparently, I'm a crook magnet; or just an idiot!

Thanks for the reply.

 

WTF?

 

ur scrooged my friend.

GL