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Any here? A co-worker of mine scraped a car in a parking lot of a shopping center here. It put a small scratch and maybe a quarter-sized dent on the back quarter-panel of some guy's '05 (?) Honda Acura. See picture below. She had an appointment to make so she left a note with contact infor on it on his car. Anyway, the guy called back with estimates. To repair the scratch and dent, he quoted $1,250 not including rental car services. That seems outrageous and she's pretty amazed that it was that high. Lots of smart, in-the-know people here so I thought I'd ask. Advice anyone? Feedback of any kind?

Here is a photo of the car, scratch... Thanks in advance for any advice.

-EarlJam

I've got a guy here in Smithfield that does the body work on used cars for the local new car dealer. He'd probably fix that for me for ~$100, maybe $150. I'll have a better idea after I ask him what it will cost to fix this and this on my daughter's Sienna van. I'll show him these pictures on Friday if I can see him and let you know.

OZZIE4DUKE wrote:I've got a guy here in Smithfield that does the body work on used cars for the local new car dealer. He'd probably fix that for me for ~$100, maybe $150. I'll have a better idea after I ask him what it will cost to fix this and this on my daughter's Sienna van. I'll show him these pictures on Friday if I can see him and let you know.

Thanks Ozzie. That's what we were thinking, even so much as in the 3-400 range. But $1,250????? That seems insane. Please just let us know if you find out anything else. The damage on the van looks comparable.

-EarlJam

Ask your friend to get a copy of the estimate and recommend she ask for another estimate.

Your co-worker should have waited for the person! Good thing they took pictures.

However, many people have been dinged and dented while shopping, with runaway shopping carts. I have a big dent in the driver side of my vehicle. Since I have Full coverage, I could have had that fixed and filed on my Insurance Comprehensive! Thats the part that covers if a deer runs in front of you, or a rock is thrown in your windshied, or a dent and dings while shopping.

It would be BEST for your co worker to pay OUT of pocket, because if the claim is filed on their insurance, it will Be a mark on their record. The Amount of the claim, also matters!

The owner of the vehicle, could have filed on their own Comp part of their insurance; given they have Full Coverage.

As Ozzie stated, a local Shop, can pull that dent out, and paint the scratches.

FYI, I hold my NC P&L, L&H, and LTC/med supp insurance licenses. I worked P&L claims, for several years!

AT least, There is NO police report!

Your co-worker should insist on several estimates. Not from the Car dealer, but good Vehicle Repair and Paint Shops!

EarlJam wrote:

OZZIE4DUKE wrote:I've got a guy here in Smithfield that does the body work on used cars for the local new car dealer. He'd probably fix that for me for ~$100, maybe $150. I'll have a better idea after I ask him what it will cost to fix this and this on my daughter's Sienna van. I'll show him these pictures on Friday if I can see him and let you know.

Thanks Ozzie. That's what we were thinking, even so much as in the 3-400 range. But $1,250????? That seems insane. Please just let us know if you find out anything else. The damage on the van looks comparable.

-EarlJam

I saw my guy today. To fix my daughter's van, BOTH sections, will cost $325. Now, he's retired and has a shop at his house, so his work is "off the books" so to speak. But it'll be professionally done and will look perfect when he's done.

Really a body shop/claims question, I can tell you about the rates and forms...but that won't help in this case.

The best to you on this car dent and ding situation.