The Fit is broken!

[Uncle Gary]

Well, I did it this time. Tonight my band had a job playing for a private party. This party was in the middle of the woods at the end of a VERY bad dirt road. Coming back on the road afterward, I drove over a rock that the car wouldn't quite clear. The rock hit the front fender right behind the wheel opening. The side skirt is crushed and the front fender buckled. That's what I can see, at least. There may be more damage, but what I can see looks like about $2000 worth of damage.

This couldn't come at a worse time, as I fear I'm about to lose my job. There was another round of layoffs at the plant this week, and they laid off my boss. I figure there's a good chance I'm next, so, even if it can be fixed (and I will probably never be happy with the results), I am reluctant to spend the money, given my position and the non-existant job market.

I'd only had the car for two months, too. I apologize for the tale of woe, but it's 3:30 AM and I'm too upset to sleep.

[Vanct]

Dang, that sounds like a boulder!

Sorry to hear about your imminent troubles, hope you get prepared in case things go bad.

I put off buying a Fit a few months ago when there was a round of layoffs where I work, and it may happen again within a year. If my boss is laid off, I'm toast. So I've been putting all my money on paying debts and building savings first before I try again.

Good luck with everything, though.

[Uncle Gary]

It wasn't that big a rock. it was just high enough to catch the fender when the springs compressed and rebounded driving over it. There's not much ground clearance, remember?

The layoffs hit me hard. My boss had 43 years at the company, and had forgotten more about the operation than anyone else will ever know. He was also a great guy to work for.

I don't know whether to submit this to insurance or not. I'm not sure whether this will fall under comprehensive or collision, or if it will make my rates increase. The only insurance claims I've ever had were for deer, so this is new territory for me.

It's not that I don't have the money. I have quite a bit of savings, and no significant outstanding debt, but I'm still reluctant to spend the money. Especially since every time I've had body work done, I've been less than thrilled with the results.

[halfmoonclip]

Well, yeah, that would torque ya' off. That's why I have a Fit AND a Jeep...
In any case, talk it over with your insurance agent; couple of things. You can find out the answer to the collision/comprehensive question. Your agent also should be able to line you up with a shop that satisfies you. Locally, the guy that gets all the insurance claims does the best bodywork in town. Nobody can afford him out of pocket.
And quit fretting that your new baby is busted. I smashed the '99 Jeep twice in one day, neither my fault, when it had less than 6K. Fixed as good as new, and that was 94K ago. Daughter drives it now, and hopes it will run forever. Jeeps and Hondas often do that.
What's the option, let your new car remain bashed?
Moon

[itFITz]

post a pic.. sorry to hear that tho

[Uncle Gary]

One of these days, I'll have the time and inclination to figure out this whole "hosting pictures on another website and linking to them" thing.

It's been a week, and I have the repairs all lined up. It's going to cost $1200, but my insurance will cover all but the deductible, and we're just waiting for the new fender and rocker panel molding to show up at the body shop. It's a small town and there's only one body shop, but he's always busy, so that's a good sign.

The weird thing was that I had to file an accident report, even though it didn't take place on a public road.

Yeah, it would be nice to have a truck, but I have no more room to keep any other vehicles where I live, and I already have another maintainance-intensive vehicle-my 15 year old Harley-Davidson (149,000 miles on her), so I have no more money, either.

[triton.]

I think it will fall under at fault comprehensive. Collision is only with another car.

[badself]

There's no such thing as at-fault comprehensive. If you hit an object, even if no other vehicle is involved, it's collision, period.

[wdb]

You're right to fix it. It's still very new, and Fits hold their value very well, and if worse comes to worse you may want to consider selling it at some point.

Here's hoping the repairs satisfy you, and that you get to keep the Fit until it outlives the Harley.

[Uncle Gary]

Apparently, not in New York State. Here it's considered a single vehicle collision. At least that's what the insurance company told me. What really hurts is that up to this point, I'd driven for 40 years without an accident.

[Uncle Gary]

Originally Posted by wdb

You're right to fix it. It's still very new, and Fits hold their value very well, and if worse comes to worse you may want to consider selling it at some point.

Here's hoping the repairs satisfy you, and that you get to keep the Fit until it outlives the Harley.

Thanks for the kind thoughts, but I plan on keeping the Harley until I'm no longer able to ride it.

I'm sure everything will turn out all right. Worse comes to worse, both vehicles are paid for.

[Cat]

Hope your Fit is fixed and back to as good condition before that rock decided to attack it! Darn that rock and dirt roads!

My doctor retired in December and I was in the same boat - it is not a good time to be out of work but just keep the faith. It took me about a
month to find another job granted not making as much as before so I am
working a part-time job on the weekend to help out but you do what you have to do. We will say a prayer that all will work out for your job and
if not another door will be opened for you.

Cat :x

[Uncle Gary]

Thanks for all the good thoughts. Hopefully we're near the bottom of this economy and things will start to turn around soon, for everyone.

[triton.]

Originally Posted by badself

There's no such thing as at-fault comprehensive. If you hit an object, even if no other vehicle is involved, it's collision, period.

There most definately is depending on your state and company. I had a no fault comprehensive claim for a previous car being stolen and repaired.

Total repair bill was about 15K. My premium actually went down after that.