Van owners face extensive body damage from falling tree branches
11 posts in the last 30 days, all from r/Autobody.
“Yeah, that's what I was thinking about. I did see that certain Caliber Collision locations are Toyota Certified, but the one they recommend isn't. I originally had an appointment to drop it off there tomorrow, but I have now canceled it. I did tell my claims adjuster that I…”
“Pics were taken during check-in through their app, not on my photoroll but I should be able to request them. The issue though is that theoretically the damage wouldn't be visible when I rented it because of the paint job, which then fell off later. Hard to prove though. Maybe if…”
“If it was an insurance repair, especially if it was their contracted preferred shop, you can go to the insurance company with a complaint. Shops typically only get scared if their contract with the insurance company is on the line. After that you can file a complaint with the…”
Several van owners are reporting significant damage to their vehicles after tree branches fell on them. The damage ranges from minor scratches and paint transfer to cracked parts and multiple panels needing repair, leading to concerns about repair costs and insurance coverage.
SOURCES (60)
“Just had a dude from a different contractor hit one of the brand new fleet trucks, and the dude isnt on his companies insurance... paint fix, new impact&proximity sensors, and sensor calibration=$12k. [re: Could someone please tell me if it’s worth trying to offer the…”
Ok, you’re the expert. What are the different expectations?
“Every MSO shop (Caliber/Gerber/Crash Champions) is going to offer a lifetime warranty on the repairs, and in my experience none of them are any better or worse than any others. Each location's quality of repairs depends almost entirely on the tech and the painter's skill level, which can vary wildly. How well they keep their customers updated and address concerns are the biggest factors outside of that IMO.”
“That … was not my experience in two different claims. Like, at all. Mismatched paint (blend? What’s that) misaligned panels. Literally missing trim ( had to fight them to get it). Maybe it is no longer like that with State Farm; I wouldn’t know, because I dropped them like a bad habit after that.”
“Typically these larger MSO’s are concerned with how to get it done fast and cheap not how to repair and refinish a vehicle properly. State Farm historically does not authorize necessary OEM operations, repair procedures, scans, or ADAS operations. I have been a State Farm preferred at one shop and at my current shop we are not. As a State Farm preferred facility I was and am disgusted by how they operate and how little they care about the safety of a customers vehicle. Caliber cares about State”
“These big insurance companies (not just State Farm) have deals and “business relationships” with their preferred shops because it financially benefits both parties. You have the right to take it elsewhere, don’t listen to where they suggest. Also, even if State Farm writes up the initial estimate for $1500, your preferred body shop can file supplementals and get more accident related damage fixed. State farm could very well still give you a $1500 check for anywhere you want to take it but when/i”
“Look at the hourly $ labor rate and how many hours they estimate it will take to fix. Generally speaking most collision shops are in the business of making money and "doing good work for cheap because of volume" is basically guaranteeing that you get anything but "good work" because they have to rush through the job just to make a few bucks.”
“Essentially, always avoid the insurance company’s “preferred” shop. Three guesses why they “prefer” them? Hint: it’s not because they do a good and thorough job for the owner.”
“Caliber collision has a unique ability to make cars worse after being fixed by them. Missing parts, mismatched colors, unsafe repairs overall. But State Farm is an awful insurance company so your screwed there too”
“Some are better than others, but it’s a chain. I would look for an independent shop that’s been around for a while, but that just me.”
“I recommend finding a good independent shop. Caliber is like the McDonald’s of collision work.”
“After they remove bumper there is going to be a supplement that will get the price up a lot higher.”
“Well yeah, but I wasn’t sure if State Farm prefers them because they do good work for cheap because of volume or if they just do cheap work.”
“This final sentence is the most important. Take your car where you feel most comfortable and will take care of your car the best no matter what State Farm says. Also like to tell people to watch out for “preferred” shops. Typically they tend to work more for the insurance company than you since State Farm feeds them work if they keep pricing low.”
“They did one of my cars, not terrible, not great, had a camera cover missing they never fixed and had a clip or two come loose. Paint looked alright though”
“It all needs to be replaced, and a good shop won’t be willing to do an incomplete or low quality job because it gives them a bad name. “Oh where did you get that repair done? Yeah, never going there for my repairs!””
“Many shops don't want to deal with the headaches of rust repair and warranty. It's easier for them to make money with collision repair so they treat it like one. media blasting could probably take care of this but the gate is compromised. if it were my car I'd spot sand blast it, coat with epoxy, fill with fibreglass, bodywork, more epoxy and decide if I actually want to spend the money to get it painted. Smaller less corporate shops may be willing to repair this for you. Cash helps.”
“My comment also comes more from a place in the future, not modern repairs. 20 years down the line options are going to be slim for many cars. Salvage parts will always be around.”
“Yep. I was about to say this looks like an entirely new front clip is needed. OP’s best bet imo is to find a second vehicle at a salvage yard that was totaled from rear end damage and then pull from that.”
“Even if it's totaled you can do a buyback from the insurance- and IF THE FRAME is ok- you can always grab a door at a pick n pull. Some of them are even online now.”
“I might get downvoted but I can understand your frustrations. I work in collision repair and looking and these estimates has me very surprised sometimes too!It’s no wonder that a lot of big and small shops around my state are getting little to no work nowadays compared to even just a few years ago. Dont get me wrong material, special equipment, labor and just general overhead for a shop is not cheap! Not to mention sourcing oem parts can be ridiculous $$$. As long as the vehicle is mechanically”
“I'm assuming you have collision coverage yea? Do some research around your are with people you know, see where they get their cars done. There are a lot of butchers out there, make sure it's a reputable shop.”
“I should mention I've done this to get similar rocket panel damage as well as other dents. The rocket panel wasn't completely fixed compared to fender and door repair, but passable since it's out of sight line. And the door opened fine afterward”
“Yeah, I had an eight year-old truck that took a shot on the door like this. Insurance ended up paying for the repair but in the end, they probably shouldn’t have. I think if they had known everything under the hood that needed to be fixed they would’ve scrapped it.”
“I’m so fucking lost. I have no clue who the shop is or who painted or who did body work at this point. I see no prep work on a panel that probably should have been replaced and it looks like a half inch of filler that is failing. This rear deck lid needs replaced. Whose fault it is, I don’t know since this job was handled like a crackhead Craigslist deal in the first place.”
“OMG, I just got PTSD reading “we cover your deductible.” I used to get asked that so many times, so and so shop says they’ll cover my deductible. Between the estimating programs and the insurance companies, autobody is not that profitable. If somebody’s going to sacrifice $500-$1000, they’re gonna cut some corners on your repair, I’ll tell you that. I’ll say there’s nothing wrong with being on a direct repair program. It makes things very streamlined no need for some field adjuster in sweatpants”
“Don't go ask in the insurance sub, they are 1000x worse and dont take into account locality based labor cost or local laws. There are not trivial to use products that will remove dents. Paint transfer and light scratches sure. You could clean it up and put touch up paint on it to help prevent rust.”
“Tree is almost always a total. Glass shattering like that also sends shards everywhere, so you end up with seats and headliner and various interior trim. I would prep for a total. You can dispute the value if they don’t get you a fair value via CCC.”
“I think there’s much we can do for you. Obtain the accident report and visit r/legaladvice . Be prepared to provide specific details. Or, better yet, let your insurance company handle it.”
“u/moneyandbanking1 is right, cracked filler from an old repair failing. Not for the inexperienced”
“We had a massive storm yesterday and a branch fell on my roof. It’s a 2021 Bronco Sport and then dent is on the curved section of the roof just above the windshield. Would love some insight into the feasibility of fixing this. Thank you! submitted by /u/Ana__Ghabi [link] [comments]”
“yea, replacing the roof would be easier than trying to pull every single one of those dents”
“Large tree fell on my car during storm last night. How screwed am i? Roof appears to be straight, A pillar has dents but inside appears to be straight so not structural?? Im not sure here but want some advice. I dont have comprehensive on it so this will be an out of pocket cost. FML submitted by /u/FrigginTrying [link] [comments]”
“That's what I thought. I will be getting insurance involved but I'm hoping to find who did it in the process. I could've lived with the scratches but the dent is egregious. Time to scope out some truck bumpers on the street.”
“Your insurance is heavily suggesting you to take it there because it’s their DRP and they get more money from the repair, not because it’s the best shop to take it to. There are a lot of body shops that specialize in paint and repair work specific for your vehicle. We wrote an article about it a while back https://www.paragonautoandcollision.com/post/what-is-a-drp-shop-and-why-your-insurer-wants-you-to-use-one”
“i had a weird experience at caliber. on one hand, they took forever and messed up multiple times. they had the car for almost 3 months just over a front bumper, fender and wheel. (for context, i got hit on the driver side corner because someone cut into my lane while their light was red and hit the side of the car while i was moving on a green light, damaged the bumper, fender and rim on that corner.) they couldnt even mount the "camaro" lettering on the driver's side fender proper”
“Yeah, that's what I was thinking about. I did see that certain Caliber Collision locations are Toyota Certified, but the one they recommend isn't. I originally had an appointment to drop it off there tomorrow, but I have now canceled it. I did tell my claims adjuster that I changed my mind and want to go through the Toyota Certified Collision Center; luckily, it's across the street from Caliber as well, lol. I'd rather wait longer and go through a more annoying process for a bett”
“Here are my thoughts: What if the rest of the car is this exact same way? The application of that body filler doesn’t scream collison to me. It screams conventional repair to hail damage. My guess is your entire lefts side and probably roof look the same way if you strip the paint. Subaru has notoriously soft metal. I would push back on repairs and let them total it.”
“was the shop who repaired it an insurance partner shop or one of your own choice? if you chose it you get to drive the shop nuts to correct it, if its an insurance partner shop call your adjuster and raise hell.”
“Regardless maybe give some input indicating how or why that damage can be fixed without replacing the bumper instead of a rude comment. I’m posting on r/Autobody for a reason.”
“Right, panels can be repaired but can this type of damage/deformation be commonly repaired and look new? Or is it going to be some shoddy job where it’s kinda close to fixed but still looks off compared to how it originally was”
“There’s always a supplement. They already don’t have time to R&I the bed. The fuel door, which needs to be removed, has to rivets that will need to be replaced as well as blended to match the new bedside. What’s that plug go to hanging under your rear bumper? That pigtail might need to be replaced. That’s just me looking at one photo. It’s not a bad sheet, but there’s a lot missing. Thankfully, it shouldn’t matter to you. You’ll still owe the $1000 no matter what.”
“Pics were taken during check-in through their app, not on my photoroll but I should be able to request them. The issue though is that theoretically the damage wouldn't be visible when I rented it because of the paint job, which then fell off later. Hard to prove though. Maybe if I get pics of the previous customer's damage and it's similar to/identical to my damage then that would help make my case?”