As most of you know, my T Bucket got wrecked last weekend. I need to submit 3 written estimates for the repairs. Are there any HAMBers in the Houston area who can write me estimates? I can't afford to have it towed around, but I may be able to pay for gas and possibly your time. I'd like to get this done ASAP, but I'm willing to accomadate anyones schedule. The sooner I get the paperwork together for my attorney, the better.
I would imagine in today economy that any shop owner truely interested in doing the repairs would jump at the chance to write you an estimate. Call the best in Houston and ask them to come to you. Don't offer anything except the possibility of a repair job.
when my 60 ranchero got smashed..it was still driveable, i brought it to a bunch of body shops and not one would give me an estimate..they either said they wouldnt know the price of the parts or they said they would not get involved with my car..so i had to come up with a complete list of parts with all the prices and bring that to the shops and they added their labor on top of price of parts from my list...
Who is handling the insurance? The city or your carrier? I'm at a loss as why you need to get estimates. Doesn't either one have a adjuster or independant claims adjuster to do it for them?
Fred, I can't get out to look at it until next week, but I'll write one for you. My paperwork is a Hutto, Tx address, but that shouldn't give you any trouble. Can you send me a bunch of pics on email? You might start a list of any parts you already see to be replaced.
Since your car was not a transportation appliance, but instead a highly detailed classic [and historic] piece of mobile art, I would humbly suggest that there is no traditional body shop in your city that would be capable of duplicating the work you put into it. Aditionally, your fragile and weakened state brought on at the hands of a careless and negligent city worker prevents you from completing the repairs yourself... Infact, you may never be able to work again. To that end, I humbly suggest that it is a task that can only be performed by a shop that specializes in vintage antique automobiles... Such as Jesse James' shop, Boyd Coddington, [rip] or Chip Foose. I'v heard thru the grapevine that shop rates for these establishments start north of $300 per hour, and average around $160,000 per vehicle. .....Worth a shot.
There are pictures of the damage in one of the other threads. It needs to be put on a frame rack and checked out, at least one of the motor mounts was torn right off, who knows what else is tweaked that doesn't show up at a casual glance.
Yes-kinda. In Massachusetts a shop still needs to be a licensed body shop with an appraiser to do a legal estimate- so most backyard guys or the guy with one bay working on just restos cant do them because the insurance company wont accept it. Im lucky enough to have both- I would be glad to help - you are just too far awy man. Been working with the insurance companies for years now (from my dealership management days) and I write a killer of an estimate and supplement to help youout-so they say. Good luck and keep us posted!
The city needs 3 estimates to go with other paperwork and photos in order to process the claim. They don't make road trips. I have to do this myself. It's just how they are handling it. We have to play by their rules, they're the ones paying.
Yes, I can make a list and I can send you more pics. I just got the car towed to my job, but had a doctors appointment. I'll get pics this evening after work and send them to you. Shoot me your email address. Also, I intend to fix and or replace as much as I or friends can. The city is more than likely just going to cut a check. I don't know when that would be. This is going to be a long term process. I may end up fixing it and waiting for the check as reimbursement. I think they need the estimates to get an average and that is what they will pay. I'll get more info on how this works from my lawyer this morning.
That is also an option I can do. I'll start on it today at work. The frame is my main concern and it is bent at the front crossbar. I'll get more pics, a list of parts and get prices for the shops who can't come to me. Thanks.
I guess I'm seeing the glass half empty, but it appears to me that they (the city) are laying the foundation of you getting screwed already. Just curious as to how they would handle the claim if you were in the hospital and not be able to do all the leg work. It just doesn't make sense to me. In the past the one wreck I was involved in was the other persons fault and his insurance adjuster came to where my truck was. Good luck on this Fred.
Id tell the city you need to rent a trailer or flat bed and take time off work to get the estimates and it will be included in the total bill. your lawyer should be able to handle that and if he cant find one that will and also he needs to inform them that they are paying his bill also. If all else fails then you take the city to court. The cop hit you they have to pay and your not being unreasonable asking for this. Dave
I see the car as totalled, not to you or most of us but in the insurance company's eye's. Get an estimate from Total Performance on a complete car to submit with the estimates or use that as you parts list for estimates. I've been dealing with insurance companies on two accident's my family has been in over the past 2 1/2 years. Not our fault, but definately our problem. I truely feel for you man.
The laws in every state are diffeent for handling collision claims, so some of our advice and experience may not be applicable to this situation. That being said, it is in Fred's best interest to choose the shop where he wants the work "done". If the city told him where to take it, they would be taking the liability on the quality and time of repair, and still would not have that much say on the cost (really bad combo there). Transporting your vehicle to repair facitilies is part of the claim. A tow bill (they usually only pay up to two AFTER the initial accident). So if you need to get it towed, give them the bill at the same time. The fact that a "regular" body shop wants nothing to do with it should come as no surprise. They are in business to churn out a product that is "acceptable" and their profits are soley based on production. Why would you want a guy that replaces parts on 90's and newer cars to try to repair your hot rod? Neither party would end up happy. The bodyman can't make enough to repair it right. Customer is seldom happy with the finished product, it takes too long to paint, there is no point of reference for the guys as far as disassembly, assembly, frame specs, paint production, paint codes, etc. Any hot rod is one-off and it just plugs up their line of production, takes too long for both parties and nobody ends up with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Body shop managers and owners know this, because they have all made this mistake once or twice. That's why they won't waste their time writing an estimate. The frame guy, however, just may do that for you. If you get it disassmbled, they will straighten a frame without too much balking. In Ohio and Michigan, estimators don't have to be licensed or certified, but their shop does for a legit estimate. I'm sure Texas is different in some way. Probably need to find that out yet. Yeah, the city is going to cut a check for the amount of the estimate you tell them to. They really don't care. They just want it to be done and off their desk - NEXT! Good Luck Fred, hope this all turns out well.
Except for Hagerty and Grundy. They allow the car owner to fix the damage themselves and will cut the check directly to you. Normally an adjuster goes to the car to estimate the damage but in this case he is not going thru his insurance company therefore no adjuster. I'm sure if the city's attorneys think the 3 estimates are too high they will higher an adjuster themselves.
I find much of the information provided the most part misleading. Please check with an attorney that really understands what is needed . If my attorney was asking me to get estimates I would be looking for another attorney that has more expierience in these types of situations and understands the applicable laws better. If someone causes damage to your property it is that persons responsibility to make you whole ( You suffer no loss or gain in the strictest sense of the word). They owe the repair at the shop of your choice . 3 estimates is a poor strategy for the resolution of the loss and only gives bullets to the other party to shoot back at you. You have an automobile that is severly damaged and the final cost of repair is an unknown until the repair is complete . If you want to fix it yourself , thats OK. Just remember the city doesnt set the rules for restitution they are set in your state statutes. From my expierience here in Chicago, trying to settle a loss with the city can take devine intervention. If your carrying collision coverage on your car, it may be easier to file the loss under your carrier and let them subrogate the propety damage part of the claim.
For those asking, 3 estimates is pretty standard fare around here. The owner still gets to choose the shop to repair the car regardless of the estimates. They just want to make sure a buddy is not slinging a super high bid at them. The insurance company probably isn't qualified to do the estimate either as it's not on their computers. I'll check around with some contacts and see what I can come up with also.
I agree with floored and jusjunk..in a few different ways.. you could push the issue of a brand new frame.. most insurance companies (maybe not lately with the way they try to screw their customers)..but i was always under the impression that most insurance companies total a car if the frame is racked. but in this case where the frame can be completely replaced, and you will have a good solid foundation to have this rebuilt..i would push for that as your fist step. Frame is bent..possible further future problems because of that fact..dont leave the city alone until you have a new straight foundation to re-build from.. and ..they shouldnt be making the rules..you should be, or your lawyer. dont spend any money on this until you know for sure it will be part of your claim, document things, and keep reciepts...and if the city wants you cart this damaged vehicle all over to get estimates, than they should be paying for that too. your time, your equipment, your fuel, your wear and tare on your stuff. ..better bet is if they require this..get it in writing first, than hire, someone to haul it around and have the city sign for the service...and they are to pay for that service. hell at this point i would tell them hey..make this right or im going to sue your pants off..your trying to work with them..they shouldnt be fucking with you. they should make this right..or take um to court.
Fred, Call your insurance agent. When a drunk hit my wife's car my insurance company took care of everything and they went after the guy and his insurance.
There are several good shops around Houston that might be able to help you out. Contact The Body Shop on Kuykendahl in NW part of the country. I have been through their shop and they know hotrods. As for the three estimate thing I would tell them that due to the type of car involved a regular body shop is not qualified. I would start getting prices together of all the parts you would need to reconstruct the T and then put a healthy labor amount in there. It looked like it is a total loss as it would need to be completely disassembled to make the necessary repairs. The City of Houston can be a bitch to deal with. My suggestion is to get your ducks in a row with the prices and the estimate and meet with their insurance department and lay it out to them. May sure you have your lost time included and the time it is taking to resolve the mess figured in. Present them with the the amount to settle and if they balk then inform them it will cost them more if it goes to court. Unfortunately that will be where this will get resolved. If and when that happens do not use one of those ambulance chaser lawyers you see on local TV. Get a referral and have the lawyer costs included in the settlement separately from the cost to repair/replace your ride. They were in the wrong and have caused you pain and suffering. It will be more pain to get this settled but do not back down or you will have a very bad taste in your mouth for many years to come. Good luck.
Hey folks, if you don't know Fred, I have only just met him, you should read his build thread in his signature. He JUST finished this car a few months ago! No matter where the money comes from, he could use some help putting her back together. Y'all getting my drift? Fred, I looked at your pics. I really wonder if anything besides the taillights came out unharmed. I'll see you in a couple of days to get an estimate written up. Is anyone else in the area able to provide another? Fred needs the paperwork first.
Three estimates went out when computer based estimating came in. They all use the same software and get just about the same result. So the insurance companies simply authorize you to go to any of their approved shops. Your problem is that a T bucket is not in the data base. And the shops you approach for estimates know they will not be getting the job. Some things to think about. If you source replacement parts from one of the mail order suppliers, i.e. Total Performance, make sure you include shipping costs. Demand a complete paint job for the frame and any other painted components damaged in the accident. And if the color can not be matched, insist on a complete paint job. Make sure they know your vehicle was built to "show" standards and that to be restored to it's previous condition a full paint job is required. If you get your insurance involved, they may total the vehicle. In any case, if you accept a "totaled" settlement the insurance company takes the vehicle. You may be able to buy it back for salvage. Or they may insist on selling it at auction. If you go this route, make sure you talk to your agent and fully understand the possible outcomes.
ARGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I'm sorry but I must take exception to your first statement. Three estimates are not and were never needed to settle any insurance claim . It merely started as a way to provide the insurance carrier a way to minimize its expense for the loss. While most believe this is a necessary way of doing things ,it was never so. In settling a loss like this its not what the insurance company/liable party wants to spend , they would chose to spend nothing if possible just like anyone else. They need to restore the vehicle owner back to his preloss state. The first and foremost criteria insurance companies use for allowing a shop on its approved list is cost. Do they have the lowest rate in town . The bottom line is the only issue for them. While saying insurance companies authorize you to go to any of their approved shops is not a false statement, it is none the less misleading since it implies that this may be the only option for repair they will pay for. This is not the case . No insurance company can, or is it in the language of any policy that I'm aware of, require that a repair be done at a specific shop or for a set expense. While most estimating system time study data is derived from the OEM information, it still varies upon how the data base is built around the included and not included labor items. This is the part of the estimating program which is the most misused and misunderstood by those using these systems. Not having the "T" in a data base is a stroke of good fortune for "tfeverfred". As consumers we give the insurance companies more power over what we receive for the payment of claims than they have contractually agreed to by simply being apathetic and unknowledgeable about what is owed and just taking what they are first willing to offer. End of Rant
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