Draco Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 I had my first accident last month and it ended up costing quite a lot so I thought I'd tell the story for anyone who wants to know just how expensive wrecks can be. I bought a 97 Legacy GT Sedan in December with 40,000 miles for $9000. 7 days later while going very slow, 5mph, I rear-ended an Isuzu who had the delightful idea of leaving his trailer hitch in the car. To everyone out there who tows please take that damn hitch outta your car when you unhook the trailer! Well his hitch went through my bumper and relocated the radiator. These hitches tend to be solid steel welded directly to the frame, meaning it will not absorb any impact or move untill it is buried deep in your car. The belovid hitch was actually mated to my car and took a good 2 hours to pull out! Well I took the car in, they estimated $2800 to fix it, then called back later to say the timing cover had been hit so they needed a suby dealer to check it out. Suby dealer reported the belt had jumped and the engine was probably ruined! Great my car is probably totaled I figured, now I gotta look for a new car again! Well they took the engine apart just to check and it appeared to actually be in good shape so it was put back together and charged around $1400, which included timing belt covers, timing belt, adjuster belt tensioner, sprockets, pulley crankshaft among other small items. Parts were $480 and labor was $630, plus a misc. charge? and towing expenses. Car got pulled back to the shop I origionally took it where they fixed the bumper and radiator along with the front end metal brackets and whatnot. Total parts were $2700, labor was $1400, plus the suby dealer work = $5500 total. Luckily I had insurance, I only had to pay $500, so I suppose the price really doesn't matter when you have collision. But I was very surprised such a small accident could cost so much! The repair came with a lifetime warranty so I at least feel good about that and it may inflate the price some, although I have a feeling there have to be a few exceptions to their policy! The insurance adjuster actually said prior to the repairs he would NOT have to check on the car or check on the company and he said this to me as well as the shop which seemed rather odd. Any comments, or advice on areas of concern I should keep an eye on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted January 31, 2004 Share Posted January 31, 2004 After 30 years with one Ins. Co. and no accidents my wife run of the road and done around 3,000 dollars damage to her car. The Ins. Co. paid for repairs minus the deduction. Then a few months latter our policy was tagged, meaning for the next three years we pay an increased policy amount for that car. State Farm is our Ins. Co. I dont know if all Co. do this but dont be suprised if they do it to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draco Posted February 2, 2004 Author Share Posted February 2, 2004 Man I'd be pissed if they did that after 30yrs of no clames. I think insurance companies might only look back 3 yrs because I know with tickets after 3 years it doesn't matter what your record looked like. Hopefully they don't raise my rates. I still have it through my parents and they have auto/home/life so I'd tend to think they'd be more hessitent. My parents probably payed close to that in premiums last year so its not like they're losing much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Insurance companies do business in some strange ways. When I was looking for insurance for my present car, I was dumb enough to admit that I had a claim within the last three years. HOWEVER, the company didn't care 'cause it was a company car, without me as a named driver. Basically, they didn't give a toss if I was a lousy driver, as long no claims had been made on my own insurances. I think they regard the premiums as a savings account. Saving for when you need the money. There doesn't appear to be much risk-evaluation worked into the premium. By the way, the claim was a low speed parking lot thing, summer tyres during an icy winter. Company policy to save money - "What do we need winter tyres for?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meeky Moose Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 well that sucks.. but personally thats the reason i leave my trailer hithes sticking out the back.. so a tailgater gets whats comin if they aren't payin attention.(not implying anything here) my wife totaled our van.. it was her fault.. but it didn't raise my rates one bit.. and my renewal came the other day, and the policy was about $500 cheaper this time around.. go figure. lol.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbrat Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 State Farm is a company who doesn't like to ahve any claims at all. My first wife had them, and when we got married, they saw my less than stellar record, and dropped her policy (wouldn't renew), even though I never drove her car. We went someplace else, and got better rates anyway.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyghost Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 Boy I hope that I don't get "tagged" as well! I've had State Farm for almost 20 years now and no claims until about a month ago when I totaled out my first Legacy. So far they have been really good to me, I paid $500 for the first one, ran great but had a severe power steering leak, I think thats why she sold it so cheap, she had been told that it needed the whole rack and pinion replaced, turned out it had a pin hole in one of the lines. I fixed it for $20. A month later I totaled it out, they gave me $2200 for it and I bought it back for $25! Then I found my second one, a Legacy LS SP, REALLY NICE car. When I started it up at the dealers it sounded horrible, lifter tick, pulled to the left none of the tires matched etc. They wanted $1900. I told the sales man there was no way, it sounded like it was ready to throw a rod! He went in the building and came back out and wanted to know if I would take it for $900? I said SOLD! 1 motor flush. new plugs, another oil change, ATF change, rear wheel bearing, alignment and 1500 miles later it's running like a charm! Hope it keeps it up, in the meantime I have a whole "extra" car for parts if I need them. I came out ahead on this one, hope SF doesn't find out! I asked them if the wreck was going to raise my ins. and was told no because I hadn't had any claims and that SF allowed you one "forgiven" claim. Guess I'll have to wait and see. Better go find some wood to knock on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane b Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 Originally posted by Meeky Moose well that sucks.. but personally thats the reason i leave my trailer hithes sticking out the back.. so a tailgater gets whats comin if they aren't payin attention.(not implying anything here) BINGO! The ironic thing is I drive an Isuzu Trooper and I leave the hitch on it. It does not stick out any farther than the spare tire so I think Draco was tailgaiting or not paying attention! Feel lucky you didn't have to pay for damages to his car. Trooper's are one of the most expensive vehicles to fix in slow moving accidents because of all the trim they pile on them. OBWs are probably a close second. I am just coming off of being 'tagged' by State Farm from an accident (minor) that I caused three years ago. But, I was sideswiped by a canadian 18 wheeler on the freeway once (his fault) and State Farm paid the bill and didn't affect my rates at all. The bastard kept going and I couldn't catch him but I had a witness. $1900 for replacing a mirror, a wheel, and some buffing out. Go figure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatch4x4 Posted February 4, 2004 Share Posted February 4, 2004 Heh, the other guy's trailer hitch saved my rump roast once. I was at a stop sign I had been to many many times. You are merging onto another street, with traffic that doesn't have to stop. The thing is the traffic comes from almost behind you so you have to look way back. The only car coming is far enough back that I decided to go. In one move as I was looking at the car, I started to roll forward, move my head to look forward, and hit the gas. By the time I saw the brand new toyota tacoma still in front of me who was still waiting for god knows what; I rear ended him at 6 or 7 mph. First accident, I'm a little freaked and we pull over get out and look. His car is spotless, I have a bent to **** front bumper (89 chev. S-10) He looks at his car obviously pissed, and finds nothing wrong with it since I hit his trailer hitch. I asked him if he wanted to trade insurance and he said, nope there's nothin wrong with my car, and he took off. I looked at my car and the bent bumper just sort of matched the rusty bed, missing tailgate, and scratched body... so I drove home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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