Insurance help/strategy needed please.... got tagged

[billschroeder5842]

LGAAF- I'd love to speak with you. Is there a way we could touch base this morning as I have an appointment at the shop this afternoon? It would be a great help to be armed with the information. I sent you a PM. BTW.... I grew up in Fox Lake, IL.

**NEW QUESTION** It has been recommended that I get a complete donor car base model (I found a 91 with a blown motor) for parts rather than sourcing parts through houses; less expensive and a known fit. Is that a good idea and what years will be a COMPLETE fit with a 91? I know there were little tweaks here and there through out the years.

[LGAFF]

Car-Part.com

LKQ Corp

There are 5 pages of used hoods on your area about $550


Your bumper may be repairable or there are remanufactured available

[billschroeder5842]

**UPDATE**

First A big thanks to Lee (LGAAF) and Paul (Paul Workman) for talking with me today. Both these guys are class acts and were more than willing to help a native, fellow "flat lander" weave through some of the the insurance and repair minefields; we got to keep 1388 on the road!

The visit ot Mid Cities Classics went well. The owner (Jim Welch) is a 30 year Corvette guy and looked at my car and said "That ain't nothing" and proceeded to tell stories (In Texas nobody gives a direct answer but tells great, colorful stories to make the point) about Corvettes that rolled in ditches that he brought back to life.

He did some measurements and found that the front frame moved 2/3 of an inch side to side which he said was not a big deal. He went into a lot of detail about what he is going to do for paint, repair parts and quality control. The hood is savable but the front facia is not. I asked about parts and he said, "Bill I got a line on 100% of everything." I asked for a ball park and he said between $7.5 and $9,000, well below a "total." I left the car at his shop so as to get a heads start on the inspection and repair process.

I call to Progressive went well. All three of the people I dealt with were very nice, so I'm in their system and in the cue.

So, one big hurdle down and now the insurance goat rope begins!

[Paul Workman]

Yes, Lee = "Da Man". I'm thrilled for ya - It's gonna be fine.

Brett took me pity on me and invited me to trailer the car (4 hour drive) to his shop to prep it for painting. There we spent a long day removing panels and Brett fixed a few flaws and cracks in one of the rocker and the bumper fascia. The he primed it and sanded it before taking it to the paint shop for a single-stage (PPG) paint (that turned out to be fantastic!).

It took me a couple day to get everything to fit "just right". But, in the end, I learned A LOT from Brett and the experience. Your Vette is gonna be just fine, I promise ya!

Prep and final pix... I dubbed her after the legendary "Phoenix" as she has risen from the 'ashes of destruction to soar again'!

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Very pleased to hear that things are moving as they are.


Had that happened to my car, I am certain that emotionally, it would be absolutely devastating.
Objectively however, it is clear that such damage is indeed able to be fixed, and the car will come back as good or perhaps even better than it had been.
If every ZR-1 that had a "Close Encounter" became totaled, there would be tons of parts cars around or at least hundreds of "re-constructed" ones.
Both of the cars involved absorbed the impact nicely, far better than had you hit any kind of stationary object. Those types of collisions generally result in the high cost repairs.
Sheet metal, plastic and fiberglass almost always make it look far worse than it actually is.
Kind of like my plumber friend who always says the water from a leak always makes even the most minor problem look catastrophic.


You found a high quality, competent and helpful repair shop.


You had great insight from members on how to navigate the insurance waters.


Given that; All should soon be fine!


Best of luck and best wishes for the quick return of your cherished toy!


Marty

[ghlkal]

Originally Posted by billschroeder5842

**UPDATE**
we got to keep 1388 on the road!

Good news.


I know this has been (and will continue to be) a major PITA, but it looks like things will work out.

[spork2367]

Originally Posted by billschroeder5842

LGAAF- I'd love to speak with you. Is there a way we could touch base this morning as I have an appointment at the shop this afternoon? It would be a great help to be armed with the information. I sent you a PM. BTW.... I grew up in Fox Lake, IL.

**NEW QUESTION** It has been recommended that I get a complete donor car base model (I found a 91 with a blown motor) for parts rather than sourcing parts through houses; less expensive and a known fit. Is that a good idea and what years will be a COMPLETE fit with a 91? I know there were little tweaks here and there through out the years.

I have a 1991 parts car if there is anything you need.

[Vette73]

If you look at it objectively, maybe that's the wrong word to use, most agreed upon values of C4 Z's are a lot higher than what you can get if you sold...

My 91 has an agreed upon value of $29,000 ..That's a good amount over what I could get for it if I sold it....

[billschroeder5842]

Spork- thank you SO much- I'll keep you in mind if I need something.

I got the estimate today from the shop; $11,200. Lots of new parts, frame pulling, fascia, paint, interior trim and mirrors off, radiator and condenser out.....etc. Sounds like pretty much a new front end.

The adjuster from the "other side" goes out tomorrow for a look. I called the insurance company and "got on record" about the car, the value, the "special-ness"...etc .

Jim the shop owner, is trusted and promises me that I'll be thrilled with the results. He said the car should be ready about May 10ish depending on the Dallas area humidity and painting. I told him to keep it and take his time.

More as it develops!

[rudolph schenker]