So glad you are ok and the metal will be fix just look at Rupp's car good as new

You mean SEMA 2011, right? :lol: There is a sticker on the shop fridge that says "SEMA 2009 or bust" and we're gonna keep having to cross out the date and change. I was really looking forward to going and hoping to get into Optima somehow, that would have been a ton of fun.

The adjuster called and said he'd be out sometime Friday morning, so tomorrow we will start to get an idea of whether or not it is all going to proceed smoothly. If any of you local guys have time over lunch you're welcome to stop by, survey the damage and eat some fine tacos and burgers from the Best of Show grill.

Matt

Oh man, that really sucks.

There is a reason driving is a privilege and not a right. Perhaps she should be given some time away from her license to reflect on what she feels is important -- a chat or operating a dangerous 3400+lb machine that can kill if not operated correctly.

Glad you are ok. Time for those upgrades you have been wanting. :)

:cheers:

Like everyone else said, it's good to hear you weren't hurt. Painfull to look at those pics though. Good luck with the insurance.

Dammit.. I'm missing bbq day again!!!!!!! :mad:

I will be there Saturday though..

Matt, That really sucks man. I would have been fuming. A couple months ago I was in my truck with my 2.5 yr old son and some guy behind me let off the brake at a red light and rear-ended us, I got out of my truck and asked him "what the hell you doing?", his reply was I guess I slipped off the brake. I told him to pay the hell attention, luckily just a scuff mark on my bumper. Bottom line, people are idiots and I think over half get their driver's licenses at Walmart.
Seeing those pics of your camaro made me sick and ticked off. As for Saturn lady, she's an idiot and failed to obey a traffic signal...not much to argue from her perspective. Glad you're okay man. Keep us posted on the repairs.

Yeah, you know, I think I would have been more pissed off if there had been someone else in the car, especially if it had been a family member. I think I might have a certain lifetime tolerance for idiot drivers, and once that level is surpassed, I'll just go ape****. I got hit several weeks after buying my first car by a kid from my high school who told me that was trying to figure out who was in the car to his right and just forgot to look ahead. Idiot. As for Saturn lady, I almost feel bad for her, almost. I know she is going to **** a brick when she finds out she did 50k+ in damage, and only had a cheap liability only policy. I'm sure her provider won't like her.

Ok, know onto today's lesson in accidents and insurance procedures

When Hagerty handles a claim they have a number of adjusters. They have one who does the field work who actually visits and takes pictures, then they have a middle man that looks at the pictures and reads through the field worker's notes on the car. Finally there is Hagerty's big adjuster that has the final say on calculating a dollar amount to place on the check. Before I get too far I need to point out that Dick might well be the greatest asset ever. When it comes to handling this process he has been in the industry long enough to know the ins and outs of the claims process, how it works, and how to keep adjusters from haggling on the price of the estimate.


Today the "field worker" adjuster came out and looked the car over, taking pictures and going down the estimate list that Dick prepared. He thought the price of hood hinges was exorbitant and that 50hrs to color sand and buff was a bit too high. All in all, it seemed like a simple process. After he got his pictures and left I started to tear the car back down (it's about all I can do lol).

Couple of observations:
1. Carbon fiber makes you itch as much as fiberglass.
2. DSE's subframe must be a gazillion times stronger than stock. It might have taken damage but there are no crumples, creases, or cracks that are visible from what can be seen so far.
3. On forged 3 piece wheels, apparently the hoops are much weaker than the spokes. take a look for yourselves.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...A/DSC_0681.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...A/DSC_0688.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...A/DSC_0690.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...A/DSC_0689.jpg

Matt

Man, that sucks Matt! At least you're not hurt.
Git'er done and back on the road again!:cheers:

So sad! You have a beautifull car man. When things like this happen you have to see the good side of it. Now if you wish you could have changed anything before now is the time to make it better. Look at it like a second chanse if you will. I know it will come back twice as nice!!!:thumbsup:

Wow, that's just horrible...Matt, I commend you for your calm attitude, I'm sure it's very difficult.

I'm just finishing an 8 year restoration myself and am about to hit the road..what you are dealing with is of course my worst nightmare.

I also have Hagarty insurance so I appreciate any information you can provide about their process in a situation like this.

Best of luck in getting her back on the road!!!!

Jason

I think I did cry a little bit. I pray I never have to go through something like this as I would be quite enraged about the estimate process and getting fair value. Not to mention dealing with the idiot that caused the accident.

Thanks for the 'lessons' on how your insurance claim has been going.

Ok, so it's been a couple of weeks and I've got a little update on the situation. First, the not so great (but not horrible) news - I haven't been paid yet. Tri-County appraisal, the independent adjuster acting as the middle man, lowballed our estimate by roughly 15-20 grand. They were also really unprofessional never giving me any of their contact info, but that's ok because they're out of the picture, which is good news. After reviewing the price discrepancy Hagerty decided to get us another independent adjuster who will be out next week sometime, I hope.

Now, because we are a finalist for Goodguys Muscle Machine of the Year presented in Scottsdale in November, whose winner isn't announced until sometime in October, we're a little anxious to get started on the rebuild. As such, I decided to get moving on a custom hood I've been dreaming up for the past 6 months and order a new subframe. Looks like we'll be making another car show crunch this year...

Matt

Good luck Matt, I hope it all comes together for you.

Thumbs way up for a good attitude. I'd be sending this message from the jail house library awaiting my trial for justifyable homicide. I'd just hope I'd get car dudes on the jury...instant aquittal. Hang in there man, God didn't do it, the dumb a$$ed lady in the Saturn did.:thumbsup:

Keep the build moving forward and you and the guys will be fine!! :thumbsup:

Glad you are okay, I'm sure Hagerty will take care of you and you will have an even better car (and your was pretty spectacular already)

Best of luck Matt. Now you can do the other hood and sub frame that you want. Good luck!:thumbsup:

Update: After over a month Hagerty is finally sending a check my way. It took a bit of effort, some frustration and four different independent adjusters but everything is finally on track. We've currently got a ton of parts on order, and Dick has started the process of fixing the rear quarter damage. I'll post up pictures in a little bit.

Matt

I was at Best of Show last Friday and saw it. Chris gave my son and me the nickle tour.

Glad to hear its on the road to recovery.

I know there's always thing that you would have done different. So the positive on this whole deal is that you have a second chance to refine an already great car.

i am in the same boat , we have a car in running for custom rod of the year , but the car is back appart fixing a paint issue . we should be ready for november also .

good luck with your car .

so are you staying with Hagerty? were you happy with them

Great to hear there's progress, Matt.

Matt just left Anvil Auto with something different for the 69.....

Tyler

Oh boy...
 

...:unibrow:

That's good to hear Matt!:thumbsup:

Congrats Matt. Are you able to make it out for the Auto X at the Camirillo Airport? Am hoping so--would like to catch up with you there on the car and everything else. Text me or or PM me when you have time bro.

Doug

Yeah, it's always nice to stop by and see what cool stuff you guys have lying around. Those new parts I picked up today are nice, but what I really want is one of those Teetoe Jones action figures I spied. That would be EPIC on my dash, and great advertising for you guys. BTW Tyler, unless Doug can present proof that he has an action figure of himself sometime in the next 24 hours I think you might just surpass him as coolest person on lateral-g.

Oh and Doug you're still pretty cool in my book. I'll be at Camarillo this weekend, and hopefully the bbq Saturday too, so we can catch up then.

Matt

Sweet. I'm finally the cool kid.

http://i54.tinypic.com/2bxnaa.jpg

Tyler

I can finally rest piece, and can officially say I have seen everything now.....:faint: :thumbsup:

looks like your left hand and wrist have really been worked out/lol

LOL---that's so much better than the license plate frame I have from you guys.

Doug

Is that crappy cell phone picture of you taken on your European Vacation? Or is my monitor resolution low?

HA HA!! That's his "kung fu grip". lol:lol: :cheers:

We need spy pics....

Don't get too excited. I'm just changing up a few finishes here and there. Now, would you be excited if there was a possibility of getting the hood that Jeff Davis did in CF. Keep in mind the hood isn't finished yet, but I'm sure you get the idea of what's going on.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...SA/Unnamed.jpg

Matt

That's gonna hurt!
:rofl:

Nice to hear you're getting some $$ from them!