Have browsed many of the posts on TMC and some of the experiences many of had. Given the severity of the accident (wife was t-boned and is not at fault), I'm pretty much wanting/hoping for a total loss at this point. For the sake of simplicity, let's just say the car value is +/- $70,000 pre-accident. It has 20k miles
GEICO just provided their initial estimate back which given the car value deems it more worth while to repair it. That estimate is $29,300... The parts is +$20,000... My questions are as follows:
1) They want me to provide who I actually want to do have do the work. I have read enough to know it has to be one of the Tesla authorized spots which the Bay Area CA has a few of. Any recommendations on that so I can tell them where to take the car?
2) They will then do another estimate, a more formal estimate, measure the frame, do the scans, and so forth. I HAVE to assume this estimate would be far higher. For example, GEICO's only said 11 hours of labor for paint at $100/hour... I don't even want to imagine what I get in return when the entire right side of the car's new parts are painted, clear coated, etc. in just 11 hours at that labor rate. Am I mistaken?
3) From people's past experiences, how often is the first estimate just that, and then when it's really broken down the real true estimate ends up being higher?
4) IF they repair it, the claim is that it will be "as good as new" so value doesn't change. As car enthsiasts, we all know how ridiculous that is. Every airbag of the car deployed. Once I saw that Carfax i wouldn't touch that car with a 10 foot pole, and it'd take a serious discount before I even considered purchasing said car used. How does one account for this where if it were repaired I know own a car that I immediately want to sell myself on the open market naturally at a huge discount for an accident I am not at fault for.
Will attach photos from phone in a minute.
Any insight is extremely appreciated! Thank you, Peter
GEICO just provided their initial estimate back which given the car value deems it more worth while to repair it. That estimate is $29,300... The parts is +$20,000... My questions are as follows:
1) They want me to provide who I actually want to do have do the work. I have read enough to know it has to be one of the Tesla authorized spots which the Bay Area CA has a few of. Any recommendations on that so I can tell them where to take the car?
2) They will then do another estimate, a more formal estimate, measure the frame, do the scans, and so forth. I HAVE to assume this estimate would be far higher. For example, GEICO's only said 11 hours of labor for paint at $100/hour... I don't even want to imagine what I get in return when the entire right side of the car's new parts are painted, clear coated, etc. in just 11 hours at that labor rate. Am I mistaken?
3) From people's past experiences, how often is the first estimate just that, and then when it's really broken down the real true estimate ends up being higher?
4) IF they repair it, the claim is that it will be "as good as new" so value doesn't change. As car enthsiasts, we all know how ridiculous that is. Every airbag of the car deployed. Once I saw that Carfax i wouldn't touch that car with a 10 foot pole, and it'd take a serious discount before I even considered purchasing said car used. How does one account for this where if it were repaired I know own a car that I immediately want to sell myself on the open market naturally at a huge discount for an accident I am not at fault for.
Will attach photos from phone in a minute.
Any insight is extremely appreciated! Thank you, Peter