1. Home
  2. Volkswagen, hot (Aircooled)
  3. My Bug was squished! Help me to avoid getting screwed!

My Bug was squished! Help me to avoid getting screwed!

Yesterday a moron in a Ford Taurus did a left turn across my lane right in front of me. Needless to say, despite all of my best efforts, I smacked into him at about 25mph. Damage? Yep. Left front fender, bonnet, left front tire, rim and tire. The spooky part is that there is a slight crinkle in the driver door by the window and a little wrinkle under the bonnet just to the rear of the fuel tank. I'm worried that the pan may be bent. No fuel leak, no fire.

We're talking about a 1970 Convertible, new paint, new top, new carpet, rebuilt engine, newly chromed original bumpers. None of the body parts are aftermarket. I want to save my Bug.

My worry? The other guys insurance company will low ball me and try to total my bug and tru to give me just a pittance.

How can I show that this is not just a 34 year old beater and should be rebuilt? How can I argue the value with their insurance adjuster?

Help keep a classic on the road. Thanks for your tips.

Al Gilson Squished 1970 Convertible

Reply to
Al Gilson
Loading thread data ...

It should be as simple as standing your ground. If your insurance was covering it, it would be under your contract which would probably total it. Since it is his insurance which is his liability, in most states you have the 'right' to have your car returned to it's previous condition. I have had several collectible cars (i.e. old enough they'd want to total them). From first hand experience, ask them to fix it, if they won't, hire an attorney to ask them to fix it. They will also likely offer a settlement that is less than the cost of repair (and try to make it look like they're overpaying you). Don't fall for the quick settlement approach if you want your car returned to it's previous shape.

Ed

'73 VW Thing '62 MG Midget

Reply to
Ed Botwinik

That's a pretty bad hit. Don't settle for mere cosmetic repairs. There is a very good chance that the axle beam is bent or even the frame head. Now we're talking real money.

Find out what '70 verts are worth on the market. Bargain from there. Oh....and wear a neck brace when you meet their adjuster.

Speedy Jim

formatting link

Reply to
Speedy Jim

You could try contacting an antique car appraseir in your area and see if he would give you an appraisel on your car as if it was not wrecked. he should be able to tell what it looked like prior to damage. Just a thought Dave

Reply to
Mycoran

And go to a dr. for a check up...That is the first thing they will ask you. Larry Hill

Reply to
Larry Hill

Re: medical - go get checked out. After more than 10 years I'm still feeling the effects of my accident. After my accident, the other insurance company called and asked to record me while we talked about my medical injuries. I told them that neither I nor they were doctors, and they needed to talk to my lawyer about that.

The car damage - mine was totalled (read about in 'bugs unsafe' thread). I had just finished doing a lot of work to it, including new shocks and struts and a new engine. The insurance guy was understanding, and requested invoices to justify to his people. Once he received the invoices the payout was fair. And I kept the car.

See if you can get it appraised, get estimates to fix it, collect all your bills/invoices (don't forget your labor) and see how the insurance company is going to be. You might need to go the lawyer route, but keep in mind that while that might get the insurance company to pay more out, you might net less (due to legal fees).

Good luck.. keep us posted.

Regards,

Jim

Reply to
Jim

Re: medical - go get checked out. After more than 10 years I'm still feeling the effects of my accident. After my accident, the other insurance company called and asked to record me while we talked about my medical injuries. I told them that neither I nor they were doctors, and they needed to talk to my lawyer about that.

The car damage - mine was totalled (read about in 'bugs unsafe' thread). I had just finished doing a lot of work to it, including new shocks and struts and a new engine. The insurance guy was understanding, and requested invoices to justify to his people. Once he received the invoices the payout was fair. And I kept the car.

See if you can get it appraised, get estimates to fix it, collect all your bills/invoices (don't forget your labor) and see how the insurance company is going to be. You might need to go the lawyer route, but keep in mind that while that might get the insurance company to pay more out, you might net less (due to legal fees).

Good luck.. keep us posted.

Regards,

Jim

Reply to
Jim

Bummer. Prepare to bend over... Good advice all (except maybe for the neck brace :-) Get comparable values everywhere you can. Hemmings is a good place to start. Get any documentaion on expenses; write a log of everything you've done to it & how long you've been working on it. Get a checkout & maybe an xray. DO NOT allow the ins. co. to record any conversations unless in person & with a lawyer present. Your car has serious damage, The wrinkles you mentioned suggest frame damage, & are major body damage. Not an easy fix by any means. Take the car to several shops that do *restorations* on VWs & get their estimates. Sorry my site

formatting link
is not fully online or I couldpoint you there for more info & links...HTH, ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"

Giggle Cream - it makes dessert *funny*!

Reply to
ThaDriver

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.