Ouch! got crunched

[murphypeople]

Good & bad news: Bad news my MM has suffered some damage. The good news the guy reported it to the security guards at the office.

Both cars were parked. We both backed in to our spots. When he left in his F350 he caught the left front of my MM with his rear wheel and wheel well. So this is not a driving impact kind of crunch.

His insurance is covering the damage and I have it in the shop now.

The damage is to the Left front signal indicator, head lamp, bumper and the parts "interior" to the front end that I can not innumerate. There is paint scratches too. But other wise the Lft front quater panel is okay. Needs paint but is okay. I have not received the detailed estimate just yet.

My question for the group: I am concerned that the bodyshop will attempt to use CV or GM parts to replace the signal lamps, headlamps and front bumper. I believe this would be an imperfect match. Is this true!?! WHAT SHOULD I be on the look out for.

I believe they can legally use used or non-OEM parts...but I will be pushing for OEM parts as much as possible. The Ford dealer I like does not have a bodyshop but their "family" Chevy store does. I am not using the this time due to logistics. Anyway Dealers get to use non-OEM parts too for bodywork...my understanding.

I don't have insurance or bodyshop problems yet but want to be a good customer by being a knowledgeable customer.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Tony
:burnout:

[Bobmiddle]

I am pretty sure that they will have to disclose to you that they are not using oem parts. Just make sure you request them to use oem and they well and the estamate will tell you too. Best of luck with the repairs

[Shora]

I am shocked to hear that the guy reported the accident. That doesn't happen often these days.

Also, take it to a place of your choice and REQUEST that they use OEM. Some parts are interchangeable between Crown Vics, Grand Marqs, and Marauders but many are not (such as the bumper, signal lights, head lights, etc. which are Marauder specific.)

[sailsmen]

Were OEM parts damaged?

If so you are entitled to have it exactly the way it was.

[offroadkarter]

Yes make sure they know that they are repairing a marauder not a black crown vic or grand marqis

No pics im guessing?

[murphypeople]

I have to get the pics off my cell phone. Not sure how to do that just yet. Maybe I will have to e-mail them to myself and go from there. I have a RAZER or however it is spelled. Same phone as millions of others. Just never did the picture transfer thing from the cell phone before.

T

[offroadkarter]

I have to get the pics off my cell phone. Not sure how to do that just yet. Maybe I will have to e-mail them to myself and go from there. I have a RAZER or however it is spelled. Same phone as millions of others. Just never did the picture transfer thing from the cell phone before.

T


Email em unless you have the cable to transfer em.

[murphypeople]

I lucked out and got a rental with less than 70 miles on...now it has 133. The Ins considers the Dodge Magnum to be a comparable replacement. Trouble is this unit is a gutless V6 2.7 liter. What was Dodge thinking!?! This unit weighs 4,000lbs! I guess they were thinking of the rental market;)

I'll work on getting the pics.

T

[CROWNMARAUDER]

I can assure you of one thing, crown vic headlights & parking lights will not bolt in to a marauder. The headlights may look similar in size but they have completely different attaching points. The side marker lights on a crown vic have a screw holding them in towards the front fender while the marauder does not. I wanted to install marauder headlights in my daily driver crown vic but they absolutely will not work.

[jgc61sr2002]

Sorry about the damage.:(

I believe they can use aftermarket parts. Some ins. companies will do that.
I don't think there is an after market front bumper for the Marauder because of the fog lights and the limited production.
Good luck with he repairs.

[Rocknthehawk]

To my understanding from working in a collision repair shop, it is completely legal to use aftermarket/used parts. This is done fairly often to save cost. This should be disclosed in your written estimate.

[sailsmen]

The ins co and the body shop can use what ever they want.

Assuming the other party was at fault you are entitled to be made whole.

The car was made by Ford. You had OEM parts, the only way to be made whole is to have OEM parts put back.

If you smashed your car in a brick wall then your insurance company only has to pay for what is normal industry practise.

The above is barring any state/local statue to the contrary and is based on basic insurance fundamentals.

[murphypeople]

The bodyshop told me they will use OEM parts as there are no used MM parts around, in the Denver area. Their parts contact will order through the dealer and the parts should not take to long to arrive. I will know more later.

I will post pics soon. I will have to e-mail them from my phone at .10-.15 per pic. That or buy a $45 box of cables I will likely never use again. The ROI is just not right to by the cables. I don't have cell service at my house so I will have to do it when I get to work tomorrow.

I'll let everyone know the cost of stuff. I assume this will be of general interest.

I am missing my MM bad:bigcry:

Tony

[BAD MERC]

I hate when they try to use non-oe parts. That crap happened with my wrecked Bonneville back in 1995. That wanted to use "LKQ" parts. I said okay - as long as you supply me with a "LKQ" rental car while you're patching my car together like Frankenstein. Double standards piss me off.

[wchain]

This is kind of OT but I'll reply anyway

LKQ= Like Kind and Quality

Its a fancy name for recycled/junkyard parts.

Usually, the insurance company will repair your car with OE parts, until it becomes several years old, i.e. more than 5 years old, then they will use LKQ or aftermarket parts, unless your car is in total primo condition or is a collectable/rare car.

Heres the deal. If every time a wreck happened, and everyone insisted on brand new parts, our premiums would be through the roof.

Lets say you owned a 94 Camry (shudder) and someone backed into you in the parking lot, busting a tail light and bumper cover. The insurance adjuster writes the estimate. 700 for a bumper cover, and 130 bucks for a new tail light assembly, plus labor and paint. Figure around 1200 bucks for the repair. The insurance company is not going to buy a brand new bumper cover for a 14 year old car. They would buy a LKQ bumper cover (200 bucks) from the same year model that would fit, or aftermarket bumper cover (150 bucks or so) and tail light. Of course all parts would be properly prepared and painted to match your car.

Personally I would rather have LKQ than new aftermarket.

Our marauders, fortunately are so rare and hard to find parts for, that the Insurance company/Body shops will just get new parts.


Just my .02

[jgc61sr2002]

To my understanding from working in a collision repair shop, it is completely legal to use aftermarket/used parts. This is done fairly often to save cost. This should be disclosed in your written estimate.

Check your Ins. Policy most state they can use aftermarket parts.:(

[sailsmen]

Check your Ins. Policy most state they can use aftermarket parts.:(

Keep in mind as stated above the other party is LEGALLY LIABLE to make him whole as in put the car back exactly the way it was, meaning OEM.

This is completely different from collecting under a policy of insurance that you bought for your car.

In the first instance an at fault party is paying you what they are laible for.

In the second instance you are collecting againest your own insurance that you have purchased on your vehicle.

[Hacklemerc]

[quote=Shora;546927]I am shocked to hear that the guy reported the accident. That doesn't happen often these days.


I recently took an accident report from a person who hit 3 cars in a parking garage... the best part was that she was drunker than all get out when she hit all three cars... then she stopped and called the police to report that she hit them. I get there and she can barely stand up she was so trashed.

[ixlr8]

Allstate offers a lifetime warranty on parts and labor through one of their approved body shops. When my Mustang was wrecked, even though I had a body shop in mind to have the repairs done, it was not an approved shop through them. I used a local approved shop and they did fantastic work, never a problem since. Only OEM parts used....on a 2000 Mustang...and we all know how easy those parts are to find aftermarket......