[DeTomaso] Someone hit my Pantera. Looking for help in dealing with their insurance.

Fri Aug 3 18:28:37 EDT 2012

Well, for some balance, my experience was different.  My Pantera was 
whacked by a valet in a parking garage.  I got prices from the vendors 
for the parts requiring replacement.  When the adjuster came to my home 
he was very professional and was glad I had givien the replacement part 
info with vendor phone numbers.  He understood the unique nature of the 
vehicle and suggested several shops that bult and restored show cars.  
These were the most expensive hourly rate shops in Houston.  Sent me a 
check for over $18,000.  Months later, I realized that the evaporator 
had cracked and freon was lost.  No problem they said, they sent me a 
check for replacing that as well.  They did not agree to paint the whole 
car.  I had called my personal provider and they wanted the damage info, 
yet, they never got involved.  Since, I did most of the work myself, ( 
not the body work) there was plenty for painting the whole car and new 
wheels and tires.

I am in the relationship business and I assure you that if you treat me 
like a dick, I'll be professional and not go out of my way.  Honestly, 
who would respond positively when treated with disrespect.  So, don't 
start with a chip on your shoulder.  I can't believe my experience is 
that unique.

I'll add that my homes have also been in the path of several hurricanes 
and the insurance companies always gave me more than I deserved.  I've 
said as much to them embarrassingly as they have written me a check.  
Don't worry they say, there may be some surprises that you are unaware of.

JT

On 8/3/2012 12:07 PM, Dave Aument wrote:
> I agree with most said here.....except, you only need one estimate. You can have the repair work done anywhere you choose. They will try to screw you as mentioned. Best luck and keep us in the loop.  Dave
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Aug 3, 2012, at 12:44 PM, "michael at michaelshortt.com" <michaelsavga at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> It is their job to screw you.
>>
>> Whatever their adjuster says, just stand there and nod, you have to let
>> them see it.
>>
>> Then after that or immediately after that, get two estimates of your own
>> that your agree with, provide copies of those to the adjuster.
>>
>> Contact your insurance company ASAP and let them know what has happened,
>> ultimately, they may have to fix your car
>> and they will collect from the other people.
>>
>> Give the insurance company a date certain to have your check prepared,
>> don't be afraid to be a dick.
>>
>> If they fail to do so ( and they probably will ) you have three options.
>>
>> 1) Be a p%%$3 and let them lead you around by your nose hairs
>>
>> 2) have it fixed yourself and sue them afterwards
>>
>> 3) Get an attorney before you have it repaired and have him boost the
>> settlement fees to include his fees, court costs, etc.
>>
>>
>> Warren Buffet did not get rich by paying out big claims ( That's who owns
>> Geico )
>>
>>
>> Michael Shortt
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Aug 3, 2012 at 12:06 PM, David Tucker <
>> david.tucker at chesapeakepanteras.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Ok, so I've had the car for 11 years. Driven about 150,000 miles in 45
>>> states. Saturday night on my way to a car show I stop at the liquor store
>>> to
>>> buy Lottery tickets (a weekly ritual and no, I don't drink) so I come back
>>> out and while putting things away in the glove compartment BAM! The car
>>> rocks. I look up and a Dodge Dakota has backed into the front left corner.
>>> The driver parks and she and her mother get out to converse with me. The
>>> young lady just got this car from her Grandmother on this day and she is
>>> driving on a learners permit. She didn't see my car. I guess you can't see
>>> it out the back of an SUV. Side mirrors anyone? Anyway, we had the most
>>> civil, friendly, and calm discussion a first accident driver could ever
>>> hope
>>> for. Dang, I'm nice. My Brothe and I went home afterwards. I didn't want to
>>> be seen in this car any longer than I had to.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Her insurance company called me within an hour after the accident (GEICO)
>>> and was very friendly with me. I explained how this was a 40 yr old classic
>>> car that you couldn't just order new fenders for and it would take a lot to
>>> get it back to acceptable. No one has ever been able to match the paint
>>> fixing little dings and such and I tried to explain that the whole car may
>>> need to be painted. She didn't have a big problem with that and set me up
>>> with an appointment tomorrow morning with their appraiser to get things
>>> started.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm looking for thoughts/experiences in dealing with the other guy's
>>> insurance company on this matter. And what kind of shop might best serve
>>> this purpose. That fender has to come off to fix this. And that will just
>>> open another can of worms.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4080805191077.155372.1610983728
>>> <
>>> http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4080805191077.155372.1610983728&ty
>>> pe=3> &type=3
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dave Tucker
>>>
>>> Frederick, MD  21703
>>>
>>> 301-514-8358
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>> Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
>>>
>>> Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/
>>>
>>> DeTomaso mailing list
>>> DeTomaso at list.realbig.com
>>> http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
>>>
>>
>>
>> -- 
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Michael L. Shortt
>> Savannah, Georgia
>> www.michaelshortt.com
>> michael at michaelshortt.com
>> 912-232-9390
>>
>>
>> This email is protected by the Electronic Communications Privacy
>> Act, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2510-2521, is confidential and may be legally
>> privileged.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified
>> that any retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this
>> communication is strictly prohibited.  Please reply to the sender that you
>> have received this message in error, then delete it.  Thank you
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
>>
>> Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/
>>
>> DeTomaso mailing list
>> DeTomaso at list.realbig.com
>> http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
> _______________________________________________
>
> Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
>
> Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/
>
> DeTomaso mailing list
> DeTomaso at list.realbig.com
> http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
>