Stinger GT2 AWD ACCIDENT

[DiabloStinger]

Just get a lawyer... there is no way a vehicle with that much damage is going to be true and straight again.

 

[nhcowboy28]

The problem now is that the insurance company will be even less agreeable to totaling the vehicle as they've already spent the $33k in repairs. if they total it now, it will be $33k in repairs plus the market value of the vehicle ($40k-ish). That would put the payout on the claim at over $70k for a $50k vehicle. Poor handling by the adjuster.

Not your problem. They should’ve totaled it at the beginning.

 

[BruceW]

Thanks for the kind words! Your story is the worst nightmare. Would be better just to have the car obviously totalled and written off than to have to go through this kind of prolonged agony!

As I look at your front end, I cringe to think that I could so easily have experienced virtually the same thing: if I had high centered on the taller version of those median "do not turn here" ridges (a Torrance CA economy for a proper island, and almost impossible to see in the dark): the one I went onto was just barely equal in height to my undercarriage panels, the two front ones of which I replaced. Just one inch higher, and my splitter and everything behind it would have been torn up.

There won't be a "next time", hopefully. But if any of us reading this encounters deer, I'm going to stay on the road and hit the thrice bepoxed deer. (Oh sure, in the moment, the wheel gets thrown unthinkingly; but I can try to plan my moves before the fact.)

Hi! Are you located in Torrance CA, too? I just bought my Stinger a couple of days ago and I was wondering if you had any recommendations on servicing the car? Any service advisors or mechanics you can recommend? Thanks!

 

[washguy]

It is probably something you turned down when you signed up for the insurance.

.... Wash
Ive been with State Farm and the same agency since 1982....if State Farm pulled that crap from corp level I would be at the agency like now ! and yes you turned down the rental car as did I....right?
get tuff on those clowns...have you involved your agent? Wash

 

[MerlintheMad]

Hi! Are you located in Torrance CA, too? I just bought my Stinger a couple of days ago and I was wondering if you had any recommendations on servicing the car? Any service advisors or mechanics you can recommend? Thanks!

I visit there. Hollywood Riviera Car Wash In Redondo is the only place I took my Stinger for anything. I didn't even visit the nearest Kia dealership (forget the name and location) when I had my near miss with the central median ridge. So I can't recommend any service people other than wash and detail; I liked them.

 

[BruceW]

I visit there. Hollywood Riviera Car Wash In Redondo is the only place I took my Stinger for anything. I didn't even visit the nearest Kia dealership (forget the name and location) when I had my near miss with the central median ridge. So I can't recommend any service people other than wash and detail; I liked them.

Thanks! I’ve been looking for a good wash and detail place. Appreciate the recommendation!

 

[Expatkevin]

Finally got the call today from State Farm. They are going to total the car now.

What a nightmare. Car gone since OCT! It took over two months for the body shop to get parts. Dealers body shop too. The design techs still aren't sure what is wrong with the engine. All they know is the engine is hotter on one side and steam coming out the pipes. Can't pass a block test. So everyone throws their hands up and says new engine. Doesn't pay to test further. The tech at dealer admitted that this is just their best guess.

That doesn't bode well with me. A minor accident (as far as no collision) and then having to wait this long for them to throw their hands up. State farm minus the no rental was decent about it. I agree should have totalled it from the start though.

Anyways I loved the car, but as of right now I am pretty sure I'm done with Kia.

I'm still out almost 3.5k making payments for a car I wasn't able to even look at let alone drive. Dealership didn't care and neither did ”premier care” custome service.

Glad it’s finally over anyways. I put over 3k down I wonder if I get any of that back? Or any of the 3k in payments while it sat at body shop and dealer. :/

 

[washguy]

Expat geeez I feel for ya ! yes you got bent over...thing is ive had State Farm with the same agent since 1982 and have always been treated fairly.... That is just not right.... Wash

 

[Jimmer]

Which insurance company advertises new car replacement? If car is totalled you get a model one year newer?

 

[Roarbomb]

Which insurance company advertises new car replacement? If car is totalled you get a model one year newer?

Allstate i think. That real deep voice black dude.

 

[Joeh1974]

Which insurance company advertises new car replacement? If car is totalled you get a model one year newer?

Liberty mutual

 

[CaliSting]

As a former claims adjuster years ago, State Farm should have never tried to pay out $33k and repair the vehicle. With that much damage, they should have declared the vehicle a total loss (even if the numbers didn't meet the threshold). Cars with that extensive of repairs are almost never right afterwards.

I was thinking same thing should have been totaled. The car will likely have major accident on car fax too lowering its resale value.

As an FYI I have been waiting weeks for replacement part on my car, a Simple under tray. Appears Kia is putting profits ahead of customer service and holding parts in Korea rather than sending slower moving spares here to US.

 

[MerlintheMad]

As an FYI I have been waiting weeks for replacement part on my car, a Simple under tray.

I had both front "undertrays" inside a week. Ordered them directly from my dealer.

 

[SEA Stinger]

Does anyone have experience with insurance for the loss of value that remains after a damaged car has been repaired?

This would appear to be a clear case of that phenomenon. Even if the OP's Stinger was finally completely repaired, who would want to buy it after seeing a Carfax report?

I agree with comments that the State Farm insurance adjuster completely screwed up by directing what turned out to be futile efforts to bring the OP's Stinger back to life.

Diminished Value and Insurance: How to Get Full Value In a Claim

 

[Joeh1974]

Does anyone have experience with insurance for the loss of value that remains after a damaged car has been repaired?

This would appear to be a clear case of that phenomenon. Even if the OP's Stinger was finally completely repaired, who would want to buy it after seeing a Carfax report?

I agree with comments that the State Farm insurance adjuster completely screwed up by directing what turned out to be futile efforts to bring the OP's Stinger back to life.

Diminished Value and Insurance: How to Get Full Value In a Claim

It depends on which state the accident took place whether or not you can file a claim for dimishment of value. In NM, where I was an adjuster, we didn’t pay it out. When I went to work a hail catastrophe site in GA for two weeks, they did.