Rear-ended - Repairable?

[Squiden]

Interesting... that does look like similar damage and the car was totaled - will be interesting to see how they handle mine.

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[kort]

Unfortunately you might be better off if they total it. Diminished value is going to be a real problem on a repair like that.

why would a diminished value claim be a problem?
anytime a car is involved in a crash it's value is diminished and in a case like this where the cause of the crash is easily assignable there really shouldn't be any sort of an issue beyond the insurance company that is on the hook trying to weasel out of paying the claim.

as for totalling the car, the car's owner doesn't make that determination, it is a simple cost calculation that determines whether repairs are made or the car is totalled. in some cases the damages cannot be repaired so the car is deemed a total loss, but again the insurer and not the owner makes that decision.

 

[Satiger]

Good news (I suppose...) is that after calling around, I could only find 2 certified Porsche shops that will even look at the car - all other collision centers flat out turned me down for even touching it based on the damage.

Indeed a good news. I would be interested in knowing from them how they fix such damages and bring (closer) to factory spec. In other words, what kind of specs will be monitored , measured to compare against factory spec. And if they are willing to share comparative measurements after the repair.

Per Porsche, Taycans are equipped with sensors to detect impending rear or front end collision and to cutoff high voltage battery system to prevent fire or causing electrocution. Do you recall car going 'blank' right before the impact? .

Its also possible this impact may not have met the necessary threshold.

 

[PanameraFrank]

why would a diminished value claim be a problem?
insurance company that is on the hook trying to weasel out of paying the claim.

as for totalling the car, the car's owner doesn't make that determination,

1) you answered your own question. The insurance company weaseling out and/or providing a payment that doesn't cover the full diminished value. Good luck getting someone else's insurance company to properly estimate diminished value on a Taycan in this market and then actually send you that money. You'll pay more for a lawyer than you'll get back.

2) I think everyone is aware of that. "If they" implies the insurance company, obviously the owner doesn't get to decide. Simply stating that financially the OP might be better if the insurance company deems it a loss rather than go through the process of a lengthy repair that will leave a huge red flag on the car.

 

[kort]

1) you answered your own question. The insurance company weaseling out and/or providing a payment that doesn't cover the full diminished value. Good luck getting someone else's insurance company to properly estimate diminished value on a Taycan in this market and then actually send you that money. You'll pay more for a lawyer than you'll get back.

I must be an anomaly because I did get DV money from my incident. it is a challenge to get them to pay up but it is doable.


[/QUOTE]

 

[Squiden]

Indeed a good news. I would be interested in knowing from them how they fix such damages and bring (closer) to factory spec. In other words, what kind of specs will be monitored , measured to compare against factory spec. And if they are willing to share comparative measurements after the repair.

Per Porsche, Taycans are equipped with sensors to detect impending rear or front end collision and to cutoff high voltage battery system to prevent fire or causing electrocution. Do you recall car going 'blank' right before the impact? .

Its also possible this impact may not have met the necessary threshold.

The car did not 'blank' prior to or after impact, so it either didn't meet the threshold or missed the sensors (since it was an off-center impact).

I will say that even if the frame wasn't rubbing into the tire, the car would be extremely annoying to drive due to the multiple sensor errors that are going off - it does NOT like that the taillight is missing! ? You would have thought that a taillight out meant the car was about to explode by the range of messages and alarm tones that went off after the impact and when I powered it back on to drive onto/off the tow truck.

 

[Torv]

Thanks everyone - hard to confirm there is frame damage, but looking at the bumper bracket to frame, you can see the mount is bent, and I think that is a portion of the frame (bluish color) that is rubbing against the tire. Guess we'll see the insurance adjuster says next week.

Any insurance company that's any good or any that's got a modicum of integrity would consider this car totaled.

 

[BigBob]

Any insurance company that's any good or any that's got a modicum of integrity would consider this car totaled.

Really? Doesn't look that bad to me! If i was an insurer i'm not sure i'd be itching to write off a £100k+ car for a bit of paint damage and a few scratches

 

[kort]

Any insurance company that's any good or any that's got a modicum of integrity would consider this car totaled.

not to be rude or to provoke an argument but I don't believe you have the qualifications to make that determination.

my car had similar damages and the insurance company spent $26k+ to repair the car, put me in a rental for 5+ months and then paid me a sizable diminished value amount.

 

[whitex]

not to be rude or to provoke an argument but I don't believe you have the qualifications to make that determination.

my car had similar damages and the insurance company spent $26k+ to repair the car, put me in a rental for 5+ months and then paid me a sizable diminished value amount.

Who is your insurance company? I cannot even get more than a month rental coverage from State Farm.

 

[Satiger]

not to be rude or to provoke an argument but I don't believe you have the qualifications to make that determination.

my car had similar damages and the insurance company spent $26k+ to repair the car, put me in a rental for 5+ months and then paid me a sizable diminished value amount.

Good to hear you had a pleasant experience with the insurance company .

There are few different tracks being discussed here.

1. DV pay: I'm wondering how (and who's best interest) the insurance company would determine the DV value, especially on Taycans, at current market conditions (new ones are sold at 5-15% over MSRP, used one with less miles are being sold at MSRP or near MSRP) ? . Will they adjust DV value based on current market premium or use std formula used across all cars?

2. Glad to hear yours was repaired and you are happy with it. Assuming OP's car has some frame damage, and assuming total repair cost is say $40k. As you said, why to total a car worth $100k+ for $40k repair? But that decision is purely based on numbers , and the BEST interest of the insurance company.

The one who finally makes that call, at the best would have some qualification on finance. How he/she is going to guarantee the integrity and factory specs upon repair? .

Taycans battery packs are laid at the bottom. Who and how one can confirm and certify (not based on vidual inspection) the battery pack integrity , it's thermal & vibration insulation etc are not compromised?

There is a technical article by Porsche on g force, for which battery packs are protected against . How do we know OP's car impact didn't exceed that g force?

Insurance companies will act on their best interest. Consumer rights are protected by State laws. If I'm in a similar situation, I would use safety as concern. I'm not going to believe these so called body shops either certified or not by manufacturer are qualified enough to handle car like Taycan (to factory spec) .

Long back had a minor accident, not my fault, but bumper and one headlight assembly unit needed to be replaced . One large national insurance company would authorize B stock aka reconditioned headlight unit. I refused stating safety concerns. Their argument was its reconditioned per specs, my point was the part was failed to pass QC in assembly line in first place. Show me why that failed and how that was addressed.

Second argument from them was, State requirements stipulates 'minimum' reconditioned parts. My point was , I care more about my life than State or insurance company. Eventually they agreed to use new one. This much saga for one small repair.

At the end , insurance will stand to guard their interest . I'll do the same for my car .

 

[BigBob]

Who is your insurance company? I cannot even get more than a month rental coverage from State Farm.

May not be any help to you, but when an accident is your fault most policies in the UK will give you a courtesy car (crappy kia or something) for a month if you use their approved repairer.
However, if the accident is the fault of a third party then you can insist on a car of similar class to your own and I'm pretty sure you get to keep that until repairs are completed - all paid for by the third party insurer of course.

Example - My panamera was scraped by a lorry. They gave me an M5 for duration of repairs.

Not sure we get any diminished value payments though (never been in a situation).

 

[kort]

Who is your insurance company? I cannot even get more than a month rental coverage from State Farm.

at that time I was with geico, as was the person who hit me. I actually have the video of the impact but it was a guy on a harley and it is a bit gruesome.

 

[kort]

Good to hear you had a pleasant experience with the insurance company .

There are few different tracks being discussed here.

1. DV pay: I'm wondering how (and who's best interest) the insurance company would determine the DV value, especially on Taycans, at current market conditions (new ones are sold at 5-15% over MSRP, used one with less miles are being sold at MSRP or near MSRP) ? . Will they adjust DV value based on current market premium or use std formula used across all cars?

2. Glad to hear yours was repaired and you are happy with it. Assuming OP's car has some frame damage, and assuming total repair cost is say $40k. As you said, why to total a car worth $100k+ for $40k repair? But that decision is purely based on numbers , and the BEST interest of the insurance company.

The one who finally makes that call, at the best would have some qualification on finance. How he/she is going to guarantee the integrity and factory specs upon repair? .

Taycans battery packs are laid at the bottom. Who and how one can confirm and certify (not based on vidual inspection) the battery pack integrity , it's thermal & vibration insulation etc are not compromised?

There is a technical article by Porsche on g force, for which battery packs are protected against . How do we know OP's car impact didn't exceed that g force?

Insurance companies will act on their best interest. Consumer rights are protected by State laws. If I'm in a similar situation, I would use safety as concern. I'm not going to believe these so called body shops either certified or not by manufacturer are qualified enough to handle car like Taycan (to factory spec) .

Long back had a minor accident, not my fault, but bumper and one headlight assembly unit needed to be replaced . One large national insurance company would authorize B stock aka reconditioned headlight unit. I refused stating safety concerns. Their argument was its reconditioned per specs, my point was the part was failed to pass QC in assembly line in first place. Show me why that failed and how that was addressed.

Second argument from them was, State requirements stipulates 'minimum' reconditioned parts. My point was , I care more about my life than State or insurance company. Eventually they agreed to use new one. This much saga for one small repair.

At the end , insurance will stand to guard their interest . I'll do the same for my car .

regarding DV, that is just a bare knuckle battle with the insurance company. you can hire someone to do an assessment but I did it on my own, being retired and having time to waste is handy.

part of my ammo was getting a buy back quote from tesla and one from carvana both assuming the car was in pristine condition.

then I reported the car as being in an accident, the difference is the starting point of negotiations. believe it or not they wanted to get out from this incident as the cost of repairs escalated considerably since the first assessment of repairs.

I didn't get 100% of the DV but I did get about 80% of my claim. to go to court for the 100% just wasn't worth the time and efforts.

a tesla can only have the body repaired at a tesla body shop authorized by tesla and upon completion of the work the car was flat bedded to tesla who then inspected and certified the car's repairs.
yes I trusted them but they have no reason to do less than excellent work.

lastly the jump in cost from the original quote was because the frame was damaged by the impact.

 

[Archimedes]

Any insurance company that's any good or any that's got a modicum of integrity would consider this car totaled.

If this little damage totaled a Taycan, we’ll all soon be paying $10k a year for insurance. Unless there is significant hidden damage, this is nothing more than an expensive repair.

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