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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Collision damage, Is it totaled? What to expect

Today, some lady in a dodge neon (strand its usually a lady in a buick) backed into my car and mashed the hood pretty good. there is sizable dent and the whole thing is bent enough up front that I cant close the hood. Its pretty rusty and the metal is kinda thin in places so it tore open by the corners. I am hoping this means I'll finally get the new hood I've always wanted (this one was trashed and excessivly bondoed years ago), but with prices on moss getting close to 1,000 bucks, I am hoping the insurance company wont total the car for such a minor fender bender.
S.A. Jones

If they do, make sure you buy it back -- then get another rusty to repair one and you are no worse off.
Mick - The engine is in!

SA,

I think that when a car is old enough, the insurance company is allowed to replace with used parts. At least it was that way some years ago.

Also, if they want to total it, you might be able to negotiate with them to give the maximum amount of money that given without totaling the car.

Charley
C R Huff

I would think that the business relationship the lady in the Dodge Neon has with her insurance company, as well as the relationship her insurance company has with the State of Illinois, states that property damage (the pd of pl/pd) is covered up to the amount of her policy.

You have no business relationship with them, except to expect that they cover damages their client created, if she is found to be at fault, which they are by contract required to do, regardless of the age or condition of your vehicle. The condition and age of your vehicle probably is not mentioned in the business agreement between the Lady in the Dodge Neon and her insurance carrier.

You might want to find out how much pd coverage she has and gently remind her company of their contractural obligations.

Richard 1979 1500

Update, The lady claimed to be with statefarm insurance. state farm has no record of her or her vehicle. I am contacting the police department to see if they have any more info.
S.A. Jones

Ah JEZ,

Im feeling it for you S.A, That is really sickening, I hope the cops can catch up with her, but it dosnt look good, does your insurance cover un-insured ....I hope this works out, if she dosnt have auto insurance I doulbt she has the cash to have your car fixed as well...that is just so sad.


For body work on british cars john mangles in St. louis, mo. (All british car restorations) is awsome, have a look at Bruce hampers car and gyrf ketcherside....I can only hope to become half as great as johns craftsmanship....definatly worth a looksy


prop
Prop

Prop

I have a spare hood so its more a matter of rustproofing and paining in need be but I hate to break up the complete spare body shell I had been looking to restore for a possible future reshell of this car. Besides, a new hood would be better than having to dip into my pool of spares. I can't afford to send the car to st louis or to have paint done. I may have to use it as an opportunity to learn how to paint stuff myself but that means buying paint and begging a friend to use his garage for a day and tying to turn it back into a paint booth. If I could afford it, i would ship the whoe car off to john twist in michigan or to somone else who does good work ord knows it needs it badly. So far when ever i've been hit, it's turned out for the best. I hope this works that way too.
S.A. Jones

I had an idea once for a cheap indoor paint booth....

lay down a clean heavy canvas painters tarp, put the car on top of the canvas build a wooden frame out of 1x2's, around the car as well as supports for the roof of the booth, staple 3-6 mil clear plastic sheeting to it, including the top.
Run your air hoses thur the top with a cheap floresnt shop light shining down thur the plastic sheeting. At one end put a box fan blowing "out" at the other end rig in a large home heating/air conditionung filter.
Id probably put the wooden frame on 12 - 16 inch centers to keep the plastic from flapping all over the place....once your done tear it down use the plastic in your garden as a weed barrier,,,cut the 1x2 into tamato stakes

Unfortantly, I never built it, having the assurance of a pro they could do it in 3-4 days I thought spending the extra money would save me alot of time and aggervation.... apperantly his idea of 3-4 days and my idea of 3-4 days differad by a little over 6 months...lol

live and learn

prop
Prop

I made a spray booth out of 3/4" plastic pipe painted 2 cars, and then used the pvc pipes for a sprinkler system in my back yard. Thinking "green" in more ways than one. M
Marc Judson (2- 1978's)

thats a great idea marc, I wish I had thught of that


Hey SA, what did you find out about the lady and her fictisous insurance account with state farm

prop
Prop

Seth,
I trust you DID get a police report at the time of the accident. In Illinois, if you are not at fault, ALWAYS get a police report. Saves so much grief in the long run.
David "sadder but wiser" Lieb
David Lieb

Mr, sadder but wiser, I did get a police report. I also just got a call from her and finally got her insurance info. A claim has been filed and the insurance company is determining liablity. The court date is still due to take place. She was with FARMERS insurance not State farm. I misheard. Anyhow. Assuming the car wont be totalled (one estimate came in at 1549.17 I am not sure what my rust bucket is worth. It runs but has a worn out suspension and so many rust holes and a crack between the sill and the floor, and no carpets) should I replace this hood with a fiberglass one, and "alloy" one, or a steel one?
S.A. Jones

if you're just replacing the bonnet i would go with alu - but it is costly
Will Munns

Seth,
The logic seems to elude me as to why you wouldn't put your spare bonnet onto this midget and buy a new one for the restoration car. Heck, just swap the two bonnets for now and you can wait for better timing to buy the new one.
David "puzzled" Lieb
David Lieb

David, I was waiting untill the insurance adjuster came to swap the hoods out. Trust me, the car will look odd for the halloween rally. panel coplors wont match. Anyhow. The adjuster came today and saw the damage. A check should come soon. Given cost and weight savings I am seriously thinking about a GRP hood to replace the steel one (not to mention it wont rust). A check should be comming soon to cover the damages.
S.A. Jones

This thread was discussed between 27/09/2008 and 08/10/2008

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