Hit and Run - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

lexsc4 · 12-12-2006, 02:13 AM

Guys,

What a freaking bummer. Just got my 06 Tacoma hit and run after coming out of a restaurant. Got dinged right on the TRD Sport logo on the drive size bed. About 12" long and a 1/4" deep.

Does anybody know a good body shop in the SF bay area where I can get this fix. I got an estimate from Sal/Dent expert, but quite pricey, especially I am paying out of my own pocket. Since there were no witnesses and it is coming out of my collision coverage and I have to pay my $500 deductible.

Should I get it fixed by Sal (I have no doubt he can fix it) or get it replace and repainted?

Jack
02 4Runner Sport Edition
06 Tacoma DC LB TRD Sport

TucsonTRD · 12-12-2006, 02:40 AM

how are we supposed to say whether you should get it repaired or replaced if you don't give the estimate for getting it repaired?

sucks to hear you are the victum of a hit and run. those people are cowards.

yrffej · 12-12-2006, 08:22 AM

wouldn't uninsured motorist cover it, if you have it?

jdwilson · 12-12-2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yrffej

wouldn't uninsured motorist cover it, if you have it?

you pay a premium every month for uninsured/underinsured motorists. this however does not mean that you do not have to pay your deductible. it sucks but that's how it is. i would ask your agent if your rates will go up in such a case. i don't think they do considering it wasn't your fault. if the rates don't go up, it will probably be cheaper to pay the deductible. sorry to hear about that, it sucks. i've had two instances like that. one time i think somebody's lawnmower threw a rock and chipped the paint and dented the fender on my old truck. then me and my ex wife(bitch) were at the movies and someone keyed the whole side of her brand new pathfinder. our rates did not go up on the pathfinder, but on the other truck they wouldn't cover it. go figure.

***eyedoc*** · 12-12-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdwilson

you pay a premium every month for uninsured/underinsured motorists. this however does not mean that you do not have to pay your deductible. it sucks but that's how it is. i would ask your agent if your rates will go up in such a case. i don't think they do considering it wasn't your fault. if the rates don't go up, it will probably be cheaper to pay the deductible. sorry to hear about that, it sucks. i've had two instances like that. one time i think somebody's lawnmower threw a rock and chipped the paint and dented the fender on my old truck. then me and my ex wife(bitch) were at the movies and someone keyed the whole side of her brand new pathfinder. our rates did not go up on the pathfinder, but on the other truck they wouldn't cover it. go figure.

i know from experience...any accident that happens your rates have a greater chance of going up....they consider you higher risk. you were "in the wrong place at the wrong time" and that makes you riskier for the long term.... i'd get estimates first and see what the damage is....and pay it yourself, without telling the insurance about it, if the bill is less than ~700. if you're friend is your insurance agent, ask them in a hypothetical situation...and see what they suggest.....

NorCalTacoma · 12-12-2006, 12:45 PM

If you plan to pay out of pocket, go with Sal.

I have gone with Sal for all my dent needs.

He definately charges an arm and a leg though. He can get that work done in a couple hours where other inexperienced people would take all day or even 2 days.

Sal can pop the dent for you and then he will send you to his airbrush guy who does amazing work as well. Probably just as pricey, but it will come out good as new.

You always want to avoid body shops as much as possible.

dsignguy_35 · 12-12-2006, 02:21 PM

same thing happened to me last sunday at my local spot for watching the football games.......However, luckily 2 of my friends were in the parking lot and watched it happen. it was some a$$hole with a maroon jeep liberty. they didn't get his plate #, but they both recognize him as a "regular" as well as the waitress who served him. I'm just waitng for him to come back to the bar. I'v got a police report, 2 eye witnesses, video from the bar security camera, AND A COPY OF HIS BAR TAB.......when I catch up with this guy, he's SCREWED!!!!!

***eyedoc*** · 12-12-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsignguy_35

same thing happened to me last sunday at my local spot for watching the football games.......However, luckily 2 of my friends were in the parking lot and watched it happen. it was some a$$hole with a maroon jeep liberty. they didn't get his plate #, but they both recognize him as a "regular" as well as the waitress who served him. I'm just waitng for him to come back to the bar. I'v got a police report, 2 eye witnesses, video from the bar security camera, AND A COPY OF HIS BAR TAB.......when I catch up with this guy, he's SCREWED!!!!!

Right on!!!

mine happened at a wal-mart parking lot...

lexsc4 · 12-12-2006, 04:46 PM

Thanks for the advise guys.

The insurance told me the uninsured motorist coverage does not apply since I didn't catch the guy or license plate. So my collision coverage will kick in and I have to pay my deductible. Also they told me this is a no-fault accident and my rate will NOT go up.

Anyway I have an appointment with the adjuster and bodyshop tomorrow and they will give me an estimate right there, I assume this will cost at least $2K. Since I am leaning toward the dent remove method (I don't like bodyshop since they have the take the whole bed apart, repaint and reassemble, something will go wrong like misalignment, paint peel in a year........). So I will ask the adjuster if they will cover 50% of the dent remove cost which will save the insurance and me some money.

Stay tune.

Jack

samcollett · 12-12-2006, 05:45 PM

if it's just your rear panel that's dinged, i doubt it will cost 2k$. do you have any photos of the damage?

lexsc4 · 12-12-2006, 06:01 PM

I am going to insist that they replace it with OEM part and not using any bondo/repaint. Anyway, I will get the estimate tomorrow.

Jack

lexsc4 · 12-14-2006, 12:12 PM

Got an estimate for the repair damage yesterday. The body shop will not replace the it, but rather, pop it out sand it and repaint it. The estimate is $1600, minus the $500 deductible, the insurance will send me a check of $1100. I am going to go with Sal/Dent Expert to get this done tomorrow so I still got a few bucks left for other goodies. Anyway, I am glad the insurance (Geico) resolved it so quickly. Also, they said since this is a no-fault claim, it will not increase my premium, unless I file a few more claims this year.

NorCalTacoma · 12-14-2006, 12:23 PM

^ Wow, that is a HUGE dent!

No worries though, Sal can get that out for you.

You can touch up the paint yourself if you have a scratch, white and black are very easy to touch up!

lexsc4 · 12-14-2006, 04:20 PM

Well acutal the paint didn't even chipped. The impact point was right on the TRD logo so the plastic tape took the hit. Anyway, I think the hardest part to work on is the crease above the Toyota Racing Development logo. Right now if is poped out.

lexsc4