I had a wonderful person back out into my Ex in a parking lot yesterday morning. They claimed they "didn't see" me as they backed out . Anyway passenger side front and rear doors are slightly damaged, as well as rear quarter panel. It's a limited so the trim took a beating on all panels as well.

I believe I have found a solid shop for repairs, but I am open to recommendations in San Antonio. My main concern is with matching the paint. The truck is a 2000 and the paint shows it's 16 years of wear/tear and fade. I know paint shops can do an amazing job of color matching faded paint, that's not my worry. My worry is that one half of the truck is going to look brand new, with that wonderful deep look fresh paint and clear coat have, and the rest is going to have the not so great look of a 16 year old truck with all the little scratches, swirls, etc. It will be obvious to anybody that it has been repainted on one side and therefore in an accident. I don't think it is likely that the at-fault person's insurance company is going to pony up to paint the whole Ex, but I believe it's going to DEPRECIATE it's value if it's obviously been in a accident. Maybe my fears are unfounded and nobody will ever be able to tell, but I'd like some insight from the FTE.

 

The CARFAX will also show "accident" even if the body shop matches or paints the entire vehicle.

I would paint the entire vehicle.

 

X2

With as much as you're doing already and staying the same color it wouldn't take much more. You could leave the roof alone and save that money as well!

 

I agree with these guys. I would just paint the entire truck.

 

Me too. Fight with the insurance company, don't let them bully you. The body shop will be on your side, I'd bet, 'cause trying to match that paint would be tough.
They may want you to get like 3 estimates, but you ARE able to choose where it gets fixed...

 

Knew a guy who had a truck that got hit be a deer. It was an older F150. The driver side got "hit" by the deer so they insurance company paid for all the rust to be fixed and painted on that side only. The other side had old white paint and rust. We always joked about the trucks "good" side.
Try to push the other drivers insurance company. Having dealt with insurance companies over the past 10 years can tell you persistence pays off. It's tougher if you have to get it fixed right away. The auto claims I've dealt with seems like the longer you can negotiate the more your likely to get what you want. The same is true of the many hundreds of homeowners claims I've been involved in.

 

You guys seem to underestimate how much it would cost to paint one of these trucks correctly or how deep my pockets are! Talking with the insurance company they have some term they use about depreciation that they will also make an adjustment for. How much that is remains to be seen.

If I could repaint the balance of the truck for 2-3k I might consider it, but there's no way I'm getting a quality paint job at that price point

 

The body shop is already there with masking and have the paint I bet it would be alot less than your thinking to paint the other half. I would at least ask them what it would take. Good luck!

 

yep accident on record will always show and depreciate the value no matter how well its fixed.

 

An accident like this is unlikely to show up on carfax. No police reports, etc. I've been doing some research on "diminished value" claims that can be made because the vehicle has been in an accident. From the limited "research" (read googling) it doesn't sound like it has a whole lot of merit for older vehicles (at least how insurance companies view it) and is a process you have to fight tooth and nail for.

I'll keep you all posted on how it unfolds and if I can find an economical way to get the balance of the truck painted. I'd love to have a nice new shiny paint job but I spent my x-mas bonus to by the Ex... the "I want stuff" fund is pretty weak right now.

 

Nope, no underestimation on my part, if you want it done right $10,xxx- $15,xxx, for a complete repaint.



No idea, you asked for recommendations. It's your job, it's your responsibility to make that determination.



It's called Actual Cash Value. Depending on the state you reside you may keep the ACV and not do the work, if you complete the work you will receive the Replacement Cost Value.



Yes, both Kate Upton and Nina Agdal are coming to my Super Bowl party.

 

Since our trucks are 10+ years old now and are really desired by a specialty market how much will a report that body damage occurred really affect the value? Sort of like restored cars are not really hurt by having blemished titles because most have had frame off restorations.


Fight with the insurance company and make them paint it all over, you will make out in the end.

 

Police reports are not the only methods by which CARFAX receives information.

Routine maintenance like OLF and even Emissions are often reported, depending on the body repair shop it may/may not report.

As @Excurvelle posted above an Ex is now a specialty vehicle and it may be a moot point.


Yes, keep us posted.

 

5 months after buying My X new, I had a guy run a stop sign, T bone the truck, resulting in frame damage. A DV claim was futile then.

All you can do is fight with the insurance company, and live with the results. The body shop may do such a good job no one will notice but you, and you won't look twice in a couple of months.

I'm in the same boat. Last month a neighbor backed into mine. It was parked under a street light, where it always sits.. I guess it was hard to see it there, being all big and red.

 

whats the repair look like? i had a drug addict back into my door in the drivers side back and it aint been right since, of course druggie didnt have insurance or any sense of responsibility.