Beemon Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 I was going to comment battery terminal on voltage regulator but... i'm so sorry. At least they have insurance, just make sure you get the most from them. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 CRAP!!! That sucks beyond all measure. Glad you are ok. Sorry to see the Blue Bird of Happiness get a rear end job unannounced. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 Sorry to see this. As far as insurance goes if you have it insured for a certain amount on your colllision that is what you should get. Example is if my Bonne is totaled I should get $14,000.00 because that is what it is insured for. you do have collision and comp. on your car, correct? Best of luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 1, 2018 Author Share Posted October 1, 2018 (edited) 10 minutes ago, GARY F said: Sorry to see this. As far as insurance goes if you have it insured for a certain amount on your colllision that is what you should get. Example is if my Bonne is totaled I should get $14,000.00 because that is what it is insured for. you do have collision and comp. on your car, correct? Best of luck. Liability only. I was hemming and hawing about the full coverage because of the mileage limits and the requirements to have it locked inside a garage every night. But I have to say my current liability company is being very nice and helping me navigate thw process. Edited October 1, 2018 by wndsofchng06 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr. Buick Posted October 2, 2018 Share Posted October 2, 2018 Document, or at least itemize all the stuff you have put into the car, including your own labor. That at least gives them a starting point. If you play nice and respectful, you become the expert on what the thing is worth... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 2, 2018 Author Share Posted October 2, 2018 Geico's adjuster called me today (the at fault's insurance) but I missed her call. I've put a call back in, and was told they hope to have this worked out by the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingrudy Posted October 2, 2018 Share Posted October 2, 2018 Matt, really sorry to see what happened to your car, but glad that you are well. I agree with Lamar, my wife got rear ended 30 years ago and her neck still gives her problems. You really should go see a doctor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosage Chavis Posted October 2, 2018 Share Posted October 2, 2018 WHAT?!?! I am glad you are fine Matt. I am hurting for you right now bruh. Feels almost like a death in the family. I really hope this car can be repaired. I will be following. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1956322 Posted October 2, 2018 Share Posted October 2, 2018 I went through the same song and dance a few years ago on my 1980 Mercedes 450sel.. They were setting me up for 2k.. This was a very clean daily driver I had done a bunch to.. Said we'll check local listings for similar etc etc.. Yeah there were no local listings lol.. They then expanded it nationwide.. Yeah there were none.. So after drowning them in receipts even if they said the receipt was to old.. They agreed to my value which was hagerty's listed value on their site.. Got 8k for it.. Just some food for thought cause we all know they aren't going to find one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAD36 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Been off the board for a bit Matt. Very sorry to see this and very glad you're ok. Know the feeling. Hope things go fairly and you can salvage as much as possible. Looks like a tough repair if you go that route. Document all the work you did. Every little bit helps. Keep us posted and if we can help 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 So the adjuster came and took a bunch of photos, had me text him about 25 "before" photos, wrote down vin, mileage, year, model, and features. All of this gets sent to a 3rd party classic car appraisal company that will send me a report in 24hrs. I can then make corrections, disputes, etc. In the mean time the adjuster will also contact their classic specialist for repair estimates. That report also gets sent to me for review. We'll see.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 So sad -- I had a similar experience with my '56 Bel Air when I was in college. Hit in the LR corner, but not as hard. The buckling was limited to the sheet metal and 95% of the damage was fixed by pulling the quarter panel back into position. Even so, I remember the feeling when I got out and walked around to see what had happened. Hopefully everything will work out and maybe at least part of the car will survive to help another. ABOVE ALL ELSE, make sure you get checked-out and don't simply dismiss any unusual physical symptoms... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 Would these guys be able to give you an estimated repair cost that you could use to avoid having the car totaled? https://www.washburnclassicrestorations.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 5 minutes ago, kgreen said: Would these guys be able to give you an estimated repair cost that you could use to avoid having the car totaled? https://www.washburnclassicrestorations.com/ I'll forward this info to the adjuster, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 Got my first offer back... Not acceptable. I'm countering with some evidence for more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosage Chavis Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Yes, I am sure you know their goal is to give as least as they can. You will have a bit of a fight on your hands. They also don't like cases that are old. They like to resolve within a certain time frame. Use that as your leverage. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 2 hours ago, wndsofchng06 said: Got my first offer back... Not acceptable. I'm countering with some evidence for more. I had experience with Mom's Buick Station wagon she bought new and was low miles after an accident years back and the Insurance gave her a low ball number. Bottom line, keep at them giving every bit of value and reason you can. Eventually they came up to a reasonable settlement saying that Insurance does not cover replacement costs... It sure didn't and her rates went up for the next three years as she lost her claims free rating! Hang in there. I'm pulling for you! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Here's one, same color as yours, foist this one on them: https://www.allcollectorcars.com/for-sale/1954-Buick-Skylark-/2230885/ Actually, here are several, though this is asking price: https://www.allcollectorcars.com/classic-cars-for-sale/buick/1954/ Would there be any validity to the argument that depreciation isn't the factor in price, it's the replacement cost that dictates the value? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 11, 2018 Author Share Posted October 11, 2018 57 minutes ago, kgreen said: Here's one, same color as yours, foist this one on them: https://www.allcollectorcars.com/for-sale/1954-Buick-Skylark-/2230885/ Actually, here are several, though this is asking price: https://www.allcollectorcars.com/classic-cars-for-sale/buick/1954/ Would there be any validity to the argument that depreciation isn't the factor in price, it's the replacement cost that dictates the value? Yea I'll send them the skylark. Lmao. ? Those are some nice cars. They base the price on recent closest comparable sales. They only found two within a 700 mile radius. We'll see what I can argue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Can you give us some details on the offer? $$ to total? Salvage: who gets it? $$ to repair? It can be repaired. The frame on those is weak behind the rear axle. Pulling the frame back along with some body pulling will solve the fit of other areas. That rear quarter may even be salvageable. You have a source for parts. Maybe a combination of best offer, some time in a body shop doing the rough-in and some work on your part learning how to do things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 11, 2018 Author Share Posted October 11, 2018 3 minutes ago, old-tank said: Can you give us some details on the offer? $$ to total? Salvage: who gets it? $$ to repair? It can be repaired. The frame on those is weak behind the rear axle. Pulling the frame back along with some body pulling will solve the fit of other areas. That rear quarter may even be salvageable. You have a source for parts. Maybe a combination of best offer, some time in a body shop doing the rough-in and some work on your part learning how to do things. They want to pay $5300 for the car, they gave me a phony repair quote for $2,000 (based on $46 an hr in a body shop) because their software doesn't go back that far and they said it's not worth a refined quote as it would exceed the value. They want $885 to buy back the car after total. Most Body shops around here are $100 an hour or more. I know the car is repairable but at what cost? Plus with a salvage title then I'd be extra upside down in it. I am no good at body work and have zero desire to take on any more projects than I already have. If I can get them to go up a little higher then I'll use this for parts on the purple car I just bought and maybe go buy something else that I can drive now without a bunch more work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 A quick search. Double their offer and you keep the car. Also tell them that your neck and back still hurt and you continuing to get that checked out (you are aren't you?) Mention a TV lawyers' name. 1963: BOOM, my 55 Special was rear ended by a 59 Plymouth doing at least 50 mph. Knocked me unconscious in the back seat. Bent the trunk up to the rear window, RR quarter wrapped to nearly the door, gas tank flattened front to back, transmission and engine mounts broken and fan into radiator. Had the frame and body pulled, replaced engine and transmission mounts. I "straightened" the trunk lid and bumper with a sledge hammer. Drove it another 200,000 miles (low oil pressure and engine knocking) --- my way to give the hoity toity crowd the middle finger. It was ugly but matched my empty wallet. Still have it as an organ donor: doors, dash, rear gears and some small parts on my convertible. Body work? Nobody is good at first. I started with a door on my first project and worked my way around the car. By the time I got back to that door, it looked pretty shabby compared to the most recent work. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 4 hours ago, wndsofchng06 said: They want to pay $5300 for the car, they gave me a phony repair quote for $2,000 (based on $46 an hr in a body shop) because their software doesn't go back that far and they said it's not worth a refined quote as it would exceed the value. They want $885 to buy back the car after total. Most Body shops around here are $100 an hour or more. I know the car is repairable but at what cost? Plus with a salvage title then I'd be extra upside down in it. I am no good at body work and have zero desire to take on any more projects than I already have. If I can get them to go up a little higher then I'll use this for parts on the purple car I just bought and maybe go buy something else that I can drive now without a bunch more work. Sucks for sure. Maybe accept the $5300.00. Tell them buy back for $1.00. Start parting the car out for additional cash. Use this money for better upgrades on the purple passion 48D. You know...ease in a 455! Sorry this happened. Simply sucks when another destroys one's ride for simply not driving alert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) 4 minutes ago, avgwarhawk said: Sucks for sure. Maybe accept the $5300.00. Tell them buy back for $1.00. Start parting the car out for additional cash. Use this money for better upgrades on the purple passion 48D. You know...ease in a 455! Sorry this happened. Simply sucks when another destroys one's ride for simply not driving alert. Our, take the $5300.00. Buy it back and not for what they are asking. Sell the parts. Search for the next Buick using the $5300.00+ to purchase. It's out there...you will find it...you are always posting cars for sale! Maybe time to find a big fin Buick! Big finned girls need loving too! Edited October 11, 2018 by avgwarhawk (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 11, 2018 Author Share Posted October 11, 2018 I'm just not going to go down without a fight first though. Nothing extreme but I am going to try. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Just now, wndsofchng06 said: I'm just not going to go down without a fight first though. Nothing extreme but I am going to try. The worst they can say is "no". Never now until you ask! Keep the faith! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosage Chavis Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 You might have to get your own quotes to show that theirs are crap. I agree with Mr Willie. Keep pushing. Draw this thing out and buy it back for no more than 50. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KongaMan Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Remember this as well: when you buy back a car the insurance company totaled, you are saving them a bunch of money. They don't want your car, but they will have to pay someone to pick it up, pay someone to store it, pay someone to sell it, and do all the paperwork associated with each step. They would love to avoid that. My experience is that most insurance companies are more than happy to sell it back to you for next to nothing. If you make a compelling argument why they should do just that, there's a good chance they will. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 13, 2018 Author Share Posted October 13, 2018 (edited) Settlement reached. While it doesn't replace the fun I've had with this car it was better than the first offer. Ive agreed to buy back the salvage ( for much less than I paid for some of the parts I've put on it) and will likely use this for car for parts for the purple 2-door. My cars will be getting hagerty from now on. Edited October 13, 2018 by wndsofchng06 (see edit history) 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elpad Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Glad it all worked out after all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 @wndsofchng06 Good to hear you could reach a settlement, and keep the parts you can salvage. It is still sad to see that car in that condition. And wishing you more luck with the other car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 Glad we had the talk about the insurance. You will be happy with Hagerty. Matt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 Done! Got my check today will be paying the seller of my "new" 54 once it all clears. Lucy will give her front clip to my purple two door and maybe a few other bits. Not going to advertise parts, but if anyone here had needs, let me know. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 Lucy lives on in the 48D! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted November 5, 2018 Author Share Posted November 5, 2018 (edited) Big announcement: funds are clear, 3/4 down on the new 54, paying the rest this weekend. Look for a new "me and my buick" thread later today. It'll be a bit before I can go get her, I just can't wait that long to post! Edited November 5, 2018 by wndsofchng06 (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 Never thought I'd reopen this thread.. the new owner of Lucy is clearly enjoying her...I thought he'd use her for parts. Part of me regrets not trying my own hand at fixing her. @MrEarl shes gonna get a 3rd chance at life! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 And yes I stalk all new owners of my favorite cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 3 hours ago, NC-car-guy said: And yes I stalk all new owners of my favorite cars. Just a joke Willie. I have stayed in touch with a few though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted April 26, 2023 Author Share Posted April 26, 2023 Feeling nostalgic today. I miss this car. It was a no-stress beater that was just plain fun to drive when and where I wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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