Accident (ugh)

[coolVariable]

My beautiful Tesla Roadster was in an accident last week. (I am fine, though it is/was very traumatizing.)

So far it's been a nightmare dealing with the insurance companies (mine and the other side's) even though the accident clearly was not my fault. I honestly drive like a grandmother in my Roadster but that did not stop someone from making an illegal left turn right into my path. I would not be surprised if the other driver was on the phone, since I was the only car coming and even a blind person should have seen me.
The only good news is that the other insurance already accepted 100% responsibility.

Has anyone had any experience documenting the loss in value for a Tesla Roadster that was involved in an accident?
It's not like other cars where you can simply query Kelly's Blue Book. Any suggestions or anyone have experience with this?
I am hoping to get it repaired, but I find it simply unfair that my car (which previously looked like it rolled off the assembly line) is now a car that was in an accident and that I should not get anything for it. I noticed that my insurance seems to be laying the ground-work to push back on this.

Also:
Is there a comprehensive list of the option packages and what they originally cost? (Mine is a 2008.)
Is there maybe also a list of what they options are? E.g.: I have seen a $4,500 electronics package option and I have no clue what that would be.

I am near tears not having my baby to drive and the whole insurance thing has been a terrible experience so far.

 

[hcsharp]

Very sorry for your loss. I live in fear of this very same scenario. I've heard of people getting compensated for more than the repair cost due to diminished value from an accident, but I don't know anything about how to approach it.

 

[Rotarypower]

Look in the model s and x forums, do a search. I know a year ago I read several threads on this over there. The population is much larger so the number of cars in accidents is too.

I just did a search on model S forum only, using keywords “diminished value” and found many threads on this. Start there. Dang, and sorry about your accident. Hang in there and just remember the important thing is you are ok! Please keep us updated as we can all learn from your experience. Good luck.

 

[rudholm]

Ugh. I'm sorry to hear this. Like Henry, I am anxious about this kind of possibility every time I drive my Roadster. It's the same instinct I have while riding my motorcycle. Cars making left turns in front of motorcycles is the most common cause of motorcycle accidents in California (and presumably most places). It's only gotten worse in recent years as everyone seems to think their cellphone is more important than the road. On the motorcycle, some moron texting is going to kill me. People simply don't respect the laws (and common sense) against distracted driving. I think it should be a lose-your-license offense.

I hope your frame isn't damaged and they can find all the parts needed to make your car whole again.

 

[DeedWest]

Have you thought about contacting the original owner for the window sticker? This would tell you exactly what’s on the car from the factory and declare the original value minus upgrades. @bart513 - do you happen to have this?

As of right now, I logged your car’s options back when it was for sale (twice) and could come up with the following based on similar window stickers for 2008’s. Luckily, 1.5’s tend to follow a script (i.e. no Executive Leather until the 2.0 released), so it’s somewhat simple.

Disclaimer: I can’t remember when Tesla started charging $109,000 vs. $98,000 for the base price, as if I recall correctly it was somewhere halfway through the 2008’s. With this being VIN 344, it’s anyone’s guess, so there could be an $11,000 difference here.

Roadster - $109,000
Sterling Silver Metallic Paint - $1,000
Premium Seats - $1,800
Forged Wheels - $3,000
Electronics Group (“Upgraded Stereo Head Unit (JVC) with Navigation, Bluetooth Connectivity, Sirius Satellite Radio, Premium 7-Speaker Sound W/Subwoofer & Homelink Door Opener”) - $3,000
Paint Armor - $1495
Solar Guard Windshield - $450
Carbon Fiber Hard Top (Body Color) - $3,200
240V Universal Mobile Connector - $1,500
Floor Mats - $150
Destination Charge - $1,950

Total Vehicle Price - $126,545

Based on the original seller’s list of added upgrades, I could estimate their cost if I knew the specifics on what was purchased. The Spoiler was the only Tesla accessory upgrade, so the following is:

Carbon Fiber Rear Spoiler - $1,600

Hope this helps any of your heartache. If you decide to repair, I have some spare parts. Please keep us updated!

 

[dhrivnak]

If the frame is OK you should be able to fix as new. My Roadster was in an accident 4 months ago and I was able to get all new parts and it truly looks better than new.

 

[supersnoop]

Don’t mention “diminished value” until the car is fixed, perfect, and back in your garage. You don’t want them considering it when they compare cost to value and make the decision to total the car. I paid for reports from two online DV appraisal companies. I used those to negotiate a DV settlement. The insurance company hired some guy who does appraisals on exotic cars and I found errors that questioned his credibility, so I was able to get a fair value.

Also, there’s “loss of use.” Usually that means they give you a rental car that costs $25/day. Depending on your state laws, you might be entitled to a vehicle “of similar utility.” So, you could force them to spend the money on a similar car which would likely be $150+/day. Since most Roadsters aren’t a persons only vehicle, you could just drive your other car and demand a cash payout for loss of use. Personally, I had a loan on my car at the time and asked the inside dance company to cover the payments while the car was in the shop. They pushed back, but when I quoted state law and found the only Roadster available for rent was $300/day, which would make them liable for about 5-times the amount I had requested, they cut a check. It helps to be reasonable.

I will warn you that a good, certified shop is going to be expensive. My minor accident, someone changed lanes into the side of my car at 18mph, looks like a huge wreck on paper. I think the shop charges were over $25,000, but I made sure she looked perfect when I got her back.

 

[DeedWest]

View attachment 300099 If the frame is OK you should be able to fix as new. My Roadster was in an accident 4 months ago and I was able to get all new parts and it truly looks better than new.

I swear...it's because those Xenons with the pronounced black trim easily take 4 years off of the age of the car. No kidding.

 

[backmost]

I agree, the Xenon retrofit really helps to update the car, though the elegant lines makes me think the design will stay relatively timeless.

Sorry to hear about your Roadster, hopefully the car can be repaired within a reasonable amount of time. It's ridiculous how many people I catch on the road staring at their phones.

 

[bart513]

I think I have a copy of my window sticker. Would that be helpful?

 

[ViviV]

This is the original window sticker for my Roadster. I hope it is helpful.

 

[coolVariable]

Thank you for all the replies. I am in the middle of a big job at work, so this has been a real nightmare so far.

My insurance company wants to declare the car a total loss and they came up with a ridiculous valuation that is significantly below all the Tesla Roadsters currently for sale in Los Angeles.

 

[coolVariable]

I have been doing additional research.

Apparently, I apparently have the following options:

1. Accept whatever State Farm offers me or can be negotiated with them.

2. Initiate the appraisal clause which will require me to hire an expert appraiser who will negotiate a settlement with my insurance company's appraiser.

3. Repair the car on my own, send my insurance company the bill and also attempt to get some diminished value/loss-of-use value out of the other person's insurance.

Any tips and insights would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anybody has any recommendations for experts who may be able to help ...

 

[X.l.r.8]

Seems either way you are going to take a hit, no experience myself but as an outsider the replacement value should be at least market value, and theres a definate value to the car. Any competent apraiser would not take long making a case for the value of the car in pre accident condition. I say hire an independant that also apraises cars for specialist insurance like customs and hotrods, they generally apreciate the value of rarer cars and mayeven over estimate once they take into account time and energy spent finding a model thats comparable. Depends on how much extra the apraiser will charge to the money you will recouperate.
Also I thought the first rule of thumb was to reject the first offer, find comparables and send them to the insurance and see what they respond with. If that produces no result then I think you should get an apraisal. However again this is not from experience.
Best of luck.

 

[dhrivnak]

And how much do you like the car? If you really like it AND there is no frame damage I would (and did) repair. but if you were toying with getting rid of the car this could be your chance. But if the frame is compromised in any way I would be wary of a repair. If similar cars are selling for $55k and insurance if giving you $40k then I would definitely get an appraiser involved. I had Erie and they were great to work with.

 

[supersnoop]

I have been doing additional research.

Apparently, I apparently have the following options:

1. Accept whatever State Farm offers me or can be negotiated with them.

2. Initiate the appraisal clause which will require me to hire an expert appraiser who will negotiate a settlement with my insurance company's appraiser.

3. Repair the car on my own, send my insurance company the bill and also attempt to get some diminished value/loss-of-use value out of the other person's insurance.

Any tips and insights would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anybody has any recommendations for experts who may be able to help ...

Did you recently purchase the car? Seems like your purchase price should be a reasonable value. How far off are they?

 

[twiersum]

Let them declare it a total loss, negotiate the value up, then buy it back for cheap.

 

[gregd]

Let them declare it a total loss, negotiate the value up, then buy it back for cheap.

If it's declared a total loss, then it becomes a Salvage car, right? If so, Tesla won't touch it for repair or service.

 

[dhrivnak]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Do you have a picture or two you could share? Maybe we could weigh in if we could see the damage. If a total loss do you plan to replace it?

 

[twiersum]

Who needs Tesla?