Accident. MM got a black eye. Advice. Help.

[Shora]

I guess that it was going to happen sooner or later. 12 yrs. of driving and never been involved in an accident.

I was traveling south on a four lane road. I was in the lane second from all the way right. I needed to get to the left lane so I looked at my side mirror and all was clear. I then turned my head to check the blind spot and all was clear so I begin to turn left and BOOM! The driver right in front of me slammed on his brakes because some fool wanted to turn into the shopping center but didn't notice the entrance until the very last moment.

I slammed on my brakes but I was too late. I must have hit him going around 10 MPH or so since I was only traveling 30 MPH in the first place. My front passenger side hit his left (driver's side). Traffic was too busy to leave a longer distance than I left. People would have been honking or cutting me off.

Anyway, this is my first time in this situation. The adjuster is coming tomorrow to look at the car.

-How do I make sure that it is fixed right and only with OE parts?
-The bumper (which holds the fog light) is cracked in a few spots. (Is this fixable or is a new one in needed?)
-The fog light shattered and fell off.
-The head light broke and doesn't turn on.
-The structure behind the grill (seems like fiberglass) that the head lights screw into broke into a number of pieces.
-The grill lost some grills
-The fiberglass piece that just above the grill and between the hood broke.
-The hood got scratched and dented.
-The fender got scratched and dented (do they replace it or just fix it?)

I am also really worried about the paint. Is going to look like crap now with different paint in parts of the front than the rest of the car?

Please, tell me what I need to make sure my adjuster does so that she is good as new? I know that it will be impossible (or at least much more difficult) to get it fixed a second time if all is not well the first.

Also, I am in Ocean City, MD and don't know anyone here. Recommendations where to take it?

Thanks in advance.














^^^^
Three Fords BABY!

[Pops]

Talk to the body shop not the adjuster. Tell him you want OEM parts and ask how it should be repaired. Ask around for a good shop and do not always take the one the adjuster says to go to. They are not always looking out for you or the quality of repairs. Ask Plenty of questions.

[DOOM]

What he ^^^ said.

[Shora]

They are not always looking out for you or the quality of repairs. Ask Plenty of questions.

I know. I don't trust the adjusters one bit. They could care less. Who even knows if they have connections with certain shops and they get a cut? I have heard the stories.

I need facts. Like they "must use OEM if I request". However, I don't know the facts.

What about the paint?

What should I tell them to make sure that it is not noticable??

[SILVERSURFER03]

go for all oem parts used are to hard to find

[Shora]

Insurance company just called. I can take it the only body shop that they have a contract with (within a 50 miles) or they will not guarantee the work.

Not good news so far.

[Zack]

Ill give you $50 for that grill.

[Iowa Rick]

I just picked up my MM today from the body shop. A tree limb fell on my trunk and put some waves in the metal.

I have State Farm, went to the adjuster and got my estimate. Took it to my choice of body shops (it is State Farm certified) and had it fixed.

The State Farm adjuster said that with the black paint on Fords, matching wasn't a problem. It seems he was right as it looks to be a perfect match.

Any Warranty on repair work it seems to me would be with the body shop, not the insurance company.

Anyway good luck on the repair. I believe you are within your rights to request the repair be made with OEM parts for safety reasons. Rick

[Rocknthehawk]

Insurance company just called. I can take it the only body shop that they have a contract with (within a 50 miles) or they will not guarantee the work.

Not good news so far.

I've heard of this. Make them show you where it says this in writing. There's a debate in the industry over this, insurance companies contracting through certain bodyshops.

Ask the shop they want you to use for references, any good shop should be able to provide them.

From what i've learned, you can request that only oem parts will be used. The only issue here is if the vehicle is close to a total write-off, they will sometimes write for aftermarket or even used parts to save it.

How can you know they only used OEM Parts? You COULD request to see the invoice from the bodyshop for the parts, or even inspect them before being installed.

The damage doesn't look too terrible.

My guess is that both the hood and fender will be replaced. Most bodyshops aren't in to fixing parts anymore, its not worth the time (not saying the won't, just speaking from experience working in the field).

The bumper will be replaced. It's rare that a bumper is fixed nowadays. Most high end/ high volume shops don't waste the time because of the cost to fix them.


You're lucky in the fact your MM is BLACK. People say black is hard to blend...BOLOGNA! If it was silver, even DTR, I'd be worried.

If the shop is an experienced and qualified shop, you won't have an issue. If the fender and hood are being replaced, they will more than likely write to blend into the good fender and the passenger door. That is the correct way to do it. With black, they may not, because it's not a metallic or pearl. If it was silver, they would have to blend so the new paint wouldn't be noticable. Black is lucky in the sense you don't have to worry about hue and tint issues.


Looks like their car got the major damage...hard to tell, but looks like the quarter buckled just in front/under the taillight. Can't see, but there's probably a matching shape next to the rear window or on the wheel lip.

Ill give you $50 for that grill.

ARGHH!

[Vortech347]

Make sure they use all OEM parts. Not OEM priced parts.

[larryo340]

Insurance company just called. I can take it the only body shop that they have a contract with (within a 50 miles) or they will not guarantee the work.

Not good news so far.

I've seen alot of insurance company "body shop" work, and all I can say is it NEEDS to be guaranteed.

If you deal with a reputable body shop they will guarantee their work.

[Shora]

I've seen alot of insurance company "body shop" work, and all I can say is it NEEDS to be guaranteed.

If you deal with a reputable body shop they will guarantee their work.

The only problem is I am in Maryland only for the summer. I am not going drive back up to deal with this shop when I go back to Miami.

I need the "insurance" to back this place up (since they are sending me there) because a fix will only happen in Miami.

[larryo340]

The only problem is I am in Maryland only for the summer. I am not going drive back up to deal with this shop when I go back to Miami.

I need the "insurance" to back this place up (since they are sending me there) because a fix will only happen in Miami.

This may not be possible with the insurance company although I don't see why not, but why don't you get yourself a side marker light (dare I say a MGM) duck tape it on. Use the car for the remainder of the summer (almost over) and then have it repaired when you get home.

I know it won't be pretty, but you will have the satisfaction of having it repaired locally.

Just a thought

[Shora]

This may not be possible with the insurance company although I don't see why not, but why don't you get yourself a side marker light (dare I say a MGM) duck tape it on. Use the car for the remainder of the summer (almost over) and then have it repaired when you get home.

I know it won't be pretty, but you will have the satisfaction of having it repaired locally.

Just a thought

Trust me, that is FAR from a bad idea and will be my preference. The head light isn't working either and I don't want to buy both from the dealer since they should be covered when I finally take it in. Im in Ocean City, there is no junk yard that I know of close enough.

I have a $1000.00 deductable (yes 0 claims or tickets in 12 yrs. of driving and I still pay over 2K per year for insurance on the Marauder) and don't want to increase this situation by another $300 or so.

Also, I don't think that problem is a simple headlamp switch since the headlight doesn't work and the bulb is fine. Maybe something happened to the wires?

[Pops]

So you know its the body shop that has to guarantee the work! A good shop will guarantee the work and paint for as long as you own the car. You have the right to have it repaired at the shop of your choice. You do not have to take it where they tell you. They have contracts with shops to do the work by the methods the insurance company dictates which are not always the way to restore your car to preaccident condition. Ask the shop of your choice if they work with your insurance company and have them negotgate the repairs. Someyimes you might have topay a little out of your pocket but they usually come to a fair agrrement. Remember its your car and your rights!