Got estimate for damages---need advice

[kbooneKJ]

well i got back my estimate today and i found out that my deductable is $1000. the estimate said it would be about 1800 so im pretty much screwed. At the bottom of this post i will write exactly what the estimate said, but i need your opinions as to if i should spend the grand or just let it be and fix it myself over time....the estimator said that there are wires somewhere in the bumper that "could be" pinched up.



FRONT BUMPER
-repl Add for fog lamps
O/H bumper assy
-repl Qual repl parts CAPA bumper
cover sport gray textured
-repl RT stop bumper
-repl Qual repl parts absorber
FRONT LAMPS
-R&I RT & LT headlamp assy to 10-6-02
-repl Qual repl parts support panel
GRILLE
-R&I grille
HOOD
-rpr hood
add for clear coat
add for underside (complete)
-R&I hood front seal
RADIATOR SUPPORT
-rpr radiator support
-repl wire shield
-repl Qual repl parts front c'member
overlap minor panel

other stuff....

rpr AIM HEADLIGHTS
refn CORROSION PROTECTION
refn COVER CAR
-WINDSHEILD
R&I reservoir

 

[kb0nly]

Ouch a $1k deductible????

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

Wow ThunderbirdJunkie thought his $500 ded. was too high so he went for $250...

 

[Atrus]

looked at the pics again. It doesn't look that bad to me. I'd just drive it or take the money, buy an ARB, and leave the dent on the hood. If the headlight assembly is jacked, buy one at the junkyard.

 

[Dave]

looked at the pics again. It doesn't look that bad to me. I'd just drive it or take the money, buy an ARB, and leave the dent on the hood. If the headlight assembly is jacked, buy one at the junkyard.

That is a good idea Kevin. The ARB is around $800. Then if you even fix the headlight and the hood out of your pocket it should cost less than the $1,000 deductable.

Dave

 

[Spidey]

Check out certifit.com for stock replacement parts if you want to go that route, I have used their stuff in the past and can't be beat for the price.

 

[tjkj2002]

Check out certifit.com for stock replacement parts if you want to go that route, I have used their stuff in the past and can't be beat for the price.

To bad quality and fit/finish is terrible,those Chinese body parts are so cheaply made they will rust out before your done paying for the KJ,will take as long to get them to fit correctly also(yep worked a few years at a bodyshop and now those cheap aftermarket parts).

 

[kj924]

To bad quality and fit/finish is terrible,those Chinese body parts are so cheaply made they will rust out before your done paying for the KJ,will take as long to get them to fit correctly also(yep worked a few years at a bodyshop and now those cheap aftermarket parts).

Oh so true!! I put a cheap aftermarket on my Kia Sportage I had, and it was rusting in a matter of 2 years. Fit wasn't the greatest either...actually it was pretty poor.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Can you post some really good pictures of everything? I dont remember seeing enough damage for the rad support and head lights to need replacing. Maybe it didnt show in the pics? Only thing I saw was a dent in the hood and the bumper cap.

 

[kbooneKJ]

Ya when I get out of school i will take a bunch of good pics and I'll try to find where the radiator support is broke

 

[Atrus]

Ya when I get out of school i will take a bunch of good pics and I'll try to find where the radiator support is broke

Just keep in mind, it may not be truly "bad", it may just be that insurance companies are required to put it back to "pre-accident" condition.

 

[brucebotti]

Ouch a $1k deductible????

We went to $1k deductible after our boys moved out and went on their own policies. My rationale is that I drive safely enough where it shouldn't be a problem. If its the other person's fault, then they will pay the entire bill. It helps that I'm almost 60, and $1,000 isn't as big a deal as it would be if I were in my 20's or 30's. Just my $.02 (no deductible)
Bruce

 

[jnaut]

Ouch a $1k deductible????

Yeah, keeps your rates lower. The lower your deductible, the more you're 'prepaying' for damages.

I prefer a higher deductible so I don't end up giving thousands to the insurance company in an attempt to save $500.

 

[Atrus]

Yeah, keeps your rates lower. The lower your deductible, the more you're 'prepaying' for damages.

I prefer a higher deductible so I don't end up giving thousands to the insurance company in an attempt to save $500.

Right - I kept at a $500 deductible because when I did a detailed analysis it seemed to work out the best for me.

Dropping to a $250 wasn't worth it - I'd pay too much in premiums. Unless we were having an accident every 1.5-2 years, I'd pay more to the insurance company than I would to remain at $500 and pay the extra $250 every few years.

Now, hopefully my wife doesn't hit too much stuff in the future.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

was only $15/mo for ThunderbirdJunkie to go from $500 to $250.
Worth it for him. Deer are *******.

 

[kb0nly]

was only $15/mo for ThunderbirdJunkie to go from $500 to $250.
Worth it for him. Deer are *******.

AMEN TBJ....

Same here, those four legged bastards are why i have as small a deductible as i can afford. I hit a deer with the KJ on the way home from buying it, couldn't avoid it, just happens around here. Two weeks after that i almost took out my windshield from hitting a pheasant.

The deer accident was $1800, but i only had to pay $250 of that due to my smaller comp and collision deductibles.

 

[ThunderbirdJunkie]

LOL
Pheasants...

Would you believe that a BAT...a FOOKING BAT took out ThunderbirdJunkie's AC condensor in his first T-bird?

 

[Diggerfreek]

LOL
Pheasants...

Would you believe that a BAT...a FOOKING BAT took out ThunderbirdJunkie's AC condensor in his first T-bird?

I would! We hit one in GA that was HUGE

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Oh so true!! I put a cheap aftermarket on my Kia Sportage I had, and it was rusting in a matter of 2 years. Fit wasn't the greatest either...actually it was pretty poor.

My mother's Sportage has an aftermarket tailgate. I thought it was just the body shop's horrible paint job. It's rusting like mad!!! Fit is OK though.

Now I know it's not the body shop.... but the cheap chinese tailgate!!!!

 

[kb0nly]

LOL
Pheasants...

Would you believe that a BAT...a FOOKING BAT took out ThunderbirdJunkie's AC condensor in his first T-bird?

Yep, sure would... I have seen some big ones going down country roads here too in the summer. Usually as they swoop down to grab a bite to eat as your headlights drive out some tasty treats for them from the ditches.