Advice On Repairing Damaged 07 Camry SE :-( - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

LunarMist · 07-12-2006, 11:15 PM

This is embarrassing but, I got in a wreck with my brand new baby

. I am very amazed at the structural integrity of the new Camry's. It was in late evening today and in bad weather. A car swerved in my direction for whatever reason and i had to swerve in turn to avoid him. I lost control of the car and entered a wide median. My car would have received no damage at all if it wasnt for the huge piece of plywood (i think it was holding up some sort of traffic sign) that I plowed into. I was just sure my entire front end was damaged but surprise, surprise, it wasn't. The entire bumper will have to be replaced as well as my right foglight which was completely busted out and under the hood, nothing essential should be damaged. A nice sized section of my lower-right bodykit (front lips spoiler) is gone. The car sounded fine but the container for the windshield washer fluid will have to be replaced. I wonder how much my car has depreciated :-( But I called my insurance and I will be taking my car into a Toyota Collission Center tomorrow. But I am debating on whether or not it would be a risk to go to a certified autobody shop or just stick with a Toyota repair shop. Does anyone have any advice or anything. I've never gone through anything like this. I know I have to pay a $500 deductible. Do you think my insurance premium will go up? Any answers would be appreciated.

profuse007 · 07-12-2006, 11:35 PM

should get a quote from a local body shop. 500 deductable is a lot money for a bumper and fog light.

yeah insurance premium goes up. mine went up after i claimed on a flood back in 01.

njerald · 07-12-2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profuse007

should get a quote from a local body shop. 500 deductable is a lot money for a bumper and fog light.

yeah insurance premium goes up. mine went up after i claimed on a flood back in 01.

Depends on your insurance company and your record with them.

I would guess you have $1,500 in damage. Labor is the killer, parts and paint almost as much.

LunarMist · 07-13-2006, 12:23 AM

I'm thinking that much too...between $1,000-$1,500. I'll find out in a few short hours.

TBONG · 07-13-2006, 05:31 AM

LunarMist - I'm so sorry to hear about your accident, but the most important thing is that nobody was injured. Take it to a body shop and get the estimate - then decide if it's worth paying cash or going with your insurance/deductible. Good luck!

Joe B · 07-13-2006, 05:59 AM

Tough break,LM.
I'm not fond of dealer bodyshops.
I'd go to an outside bodyshop on the recommendation of someone you may know.
Insurance companies look for any reason to raise rates.
The damage estimate may be higher than you think.Parts and labor are expensive.
Hope everything works out well for you.

islandboy57 · 07-13-2006, 06:42 AM

Ouch. My car (I made a thread a few months back) has a few small spots of paint that came off on the trunk and the bumper needs to be repainted. My estimate is $1450 and $1700. It's crazy. Luckily it wasn't my fault so I won't be paying for it.

If you claim it on your insurance, your premiums will most likely go up unless they have something similar to Allstate's 'Accident Forgiveness' where if you have a good/lengthy record they won't hike your premiums for a claim. Get a few estimates and decide whether or not you can afford to pay cash out of pocket - or if it's better to make a claim.

Hopefully everything works out!

Old Dood · 07-13-2006, 06:57 AM

I sent you a PM...sorry didn't get yours til this morning...Dood goes to bed early...

Mainly my point of the PM was...Broad Collision? Not your fault...no deductable...need a Police Report tho...

Also it can be claimed as a Comprehensive claim...like a windshield crack..or parking lot dent. Depends on your deductable. Also insurance Companies CAN'T raise your rates on a Comp Claim...I am not sure onthe Broad collision...but I THINK...they can't raise them if it is NOT your fault...

LunarMist · 07-13-2006, 07:27 AM

Thanks for the responses. If its more than $1500 then odds are I wont be able to afford out of pocket. I will see if this falls under "comprehensive" because I do have comprehensive coverage. This is going to turn out to be a nightmare. I do not need this right now. I just called my insurance and they are telling me they wont be able to provide me with any furthur info until after 10:30am EST. I was going to take my car into Toyota Collission Center but i'm thinking imma go to work and wait for the insurance person to call me or i'll call them in another two hours and take it from there.

Klutch · 07-13-2006, 08:04 AM

This is a collision claim, the car was moving and you collided into something. Comp is someone keying your car, hail, etc. Hitting a deer falls under comp though and I'm not sure why.

State Farm in MO will consider a rate hike if you have a collision claim over $1K that was your fault.

I started carrying lower deductables a year or so ago. Right after that I hit a deer with my Maxima and was glad I lowered those deductables.

JMSinMD · 07-13-2006, 08:44 AM

I have a shop that I go to in Baltimore that is very reasonable. My sister did some damage to my parent's car and I took it to 3 shops to compare prices. The first two (that I've gone through insurance with) wanted between $1500-$2000. This local shop that I've taken my mother in laws car too and had a lot of friends go to charged me $300 and I'd say the level of work is equal. Let me know. Jon.

SuperGoop · 07-13-2006, 09:06 AM

My advice is to take it to the best shop possible if you are claiming insurance. If your premium is going to go up, it won't matter that you find a shop that cost less. You'll only be saving the insurance company money. Your rates will still go up the same. Since it is a new car, make sure the repair is done right.

However, DO shop around for the lowest cost (and quality). You may find that it is better to just pay out-of-pocket (even if you have to finance it). If there is an increase in premium, it will stick for several years, so the "total" increase will be significant. If you make a claim now, you will be exposed should you need to make another claim. I would generally "save" my claims for something really big (say >$5,000)

Another advice is to go to one of those free online quotes and get a quote with and without a claim to see what the increase will be. I think the increase stays for ~3 years. Factor in your deductible and see if it is worth it to make the claim, remembering that you will be exposed should you "really" need to make a 2nd claim.

Obviously, if your claim will not increase your premium, than just go to the best shop authorized by the claim adjustor.

LunarMist · 07-13-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperGoop

My advice is to take it to the best shop possible if you are claiming insurance. If your premium is going to go up, it won't matter that you find a shop that cost less. You'll only be saving the insurance company money. Your rates will still go up the same. Since it is a new car, make sure the repair is done right.

However, DO shop around for the lowest cost (and quality). You may find that it is better to just pay out-of-pocket (even if you have to finance it). If there is an increase in premium, it will stick for several years, so the "total" increase will be significant. If you make a claim now, you will be exposed should you need to make another claim. I would generally "save" my claims for something really big (say >$5,000)

Another advice is to go to one of those free online quotes and get a quote with and without a claim to see what the increase will be. I think the increase stays for ~3 years. Factor in your deductible and see if it is worth it to make the claim, remembering that you will be exposed should you "really" need to make a 2nd claim.

Obviously, if your claim will not increase your premium, than just go to the best shop authorized by the claim adjustor.

I didnt think I could finance it. I hope that is an option with most places. I definitely cant afford for my premium to go up. Not with that AND a car note. I will try to see what my options are. Thanks for the advice.

DBIGMAC1 · 07-13-2006, 10:09 AM

My sister got in an accident last week in my brand new 07, they have 2 replace the fender, headlight and minor work on the bumper. My estimate was 1200. 07 parts are scarce so youre prolly best off with a good body shop. If your insurance company doesnt know already, dont let them. They'll hike your rates even if you dont file a claim.

LunarMist · 07-13-2006, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBIGMAC1

My sister got in an accident last week in my brand new 07, they have 2 replace the fender, headlight and minor work on the bumper. My estimate was 1200. 07 parts are scarce so youre prolly best off with a good body shop. If your insurance company doesnt know already, dont let them. They'll hike your rates even if you dont file a claim.

Wow I could have really used your advice last night. I've already contacted my insurance. You seem to have slightly more damage than me so thats a little reassuring (concerning how much I can expect to pay I mean). We'll see what happens. If I can finance bodyshop repair work I wont go through with the claim from my insurance.