Need advice guys...

[Dave2013M3]

A homeless guy with a POS Nissan, no insurance, no license, and no registration clipped my Mustang at the gas station today. It isn't bad but it is going to need to be fixed. I can't believe this. Called the police they can't do anything, this crazy ass city (Los Angeles) protects everybody but the tax paying citizens. Here is a few pics. The headlight sticks out a tad now as the bracing underneath the fender probably got bent a little. How much do you think to repair? I don't want to get insurance invovled.

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[04mazdaspeed]

Really no way to say as every shop will be different. I suggest finding a few different quality shops and get quotes.

 

[Biggus Dickus]

Shit - God I'd be really pissed. That said, go somewhere where they repair high end cars, have good reviews, etc. Sometimes Clear-Bra/X-pel installers know who does good body work. That said, if its pricey, make a claim - that's why you pay premium. I doubt this will affect your rates. All the best.

 

[Dave2013M3]

Shit - God I'd be really pissed. That said, go somewhere where they repair high end cars, have good reviews, etc. Sometimes Clear-Bra/X-pel installers know who does good body work. That said, if its pricey, make a claim - that's why you pay premium. I doubt this will affect your rates. All the best.

More worried about the Carfax. I will eventually sell at one time.

 

[Seanuf99]

File a diminished value claim against your uninsured motorist coverage and don't worry about it.

 

[Cordero1]

Did the police at least fine the guy at fault for no insurance? That is a pretty hefty fine in my neck of the woods & would not be able to drive off in your car.

 

[Cobra Jet]

A homeless guy with a POS Nissan, no insurance, no license, and no registration clipped my Mustang at the gas station today. It isn't bad but it is going to need to be fixed. I can't believe this. Called the police they can't do anything, this crazy ass city (Los Angeles) protects everybody but the tax paying citizens. Here is a few pics. The headlight sticks out a tad now as the bracing underneath the fender probably got bent a little. How much do you think to repair? I don't want to get insurance invovled.

Look for a reputable PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) shop and see if they can get the indentation out of the fender. Some really good shops can get that dent out to the point you couldn't tell it ever happened, but it depends on the factory fender lines/crease and expertise of the PDR specialist. The front fenders are aluminum.

The scuff there - try buffing it out with a good compound/polish. 95% or better of that mark may disappear. Any scrape of the paint layer, get Dr. Colorchip kit (hit up @Bikeman315 - he did a repair on his prior Ruby Red S550 and he said it came out very well).

Now for the headlight and bumper cover - grasp the bumper cover and front fender at the edge of the wheel well where both meet; give a slight tug toward you. It should conform and pop back into place. I don't think your headlight assembly is damaged, doesn't appear to be from the images. It just looks like the fender is pressed inward which is pulling the bumper cover in as well, skewing the body lines of where the headlight is making it appear visually skewed (but may not be).

If all else fails and you want to keep repair costs to a minimum and avoid a body shop visit/down time - go online and source out the same color used front fender (eBay, LKQ, local salvage yard, etc.) and swap out the fender - not hard to do at all.

 

[Biggus Dickus]

More worried about the Carfax. I will eventually sell at one time.

Is that an issue with trivial cosmetic damage?

 

[wynand32]

Look for a reputable PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) shop and see if they can get the indentation out of the fender. Some really good shops can get that dent out to the point you couldn't tell it ever happened, but it depends on the factory fender lines/crease and expertise of the PDR specialist. The front fenders are aluminum.

The scuff there - try buffing it out with a good compound/polish. 95% or better of that mark may disappear. Any scrape of the paint layer, get Dr. Colorchip kit (hit up @Bikeman315 - he did a repair on his prior Ruby Red S550 and he said it came out very well).

Now for the headlight and bumper cover - grasp the bumper cover and front fender at the edge of the wheel well where both meet meet; give a slight tug toward you. It should conform and pop back into place. I don't think your headlight assembly is damaged, doesn't appear to be from the images. It just looks like the fender is pressed inward which is pulling the bumper cover in as well, skewing the body lines of where the headlight is making it appear visually skewed (but may not be).

If all else fails and you want to keep repair costs to a minimum and avoid a body shop visit/down time - go online and source out the same color used front fender (eBay, LKQ, local salvage yard, etc.) and swap out the fender - not hard to do at all.

This is the kind of response that makes this forum so awesome.

 

[Dave2013M3]

Is that an issue with trivial cosmetic damage?

Can be...also I don't have uninsured motorist.

 

[Farkel]

File a diminished value claim against your uninsured motorist coverage and don't worry about it.

When an uninsured drunk totalled my 280ZX back in the '80s I learned that uninsured motorist coverage only pays for your medical bills.

 

[RagmopInKona]

If you save photo's of the damage and if the car fax date matchs, they'll understand it was a tiny event, and not be an issue.
But if it is a cheap fix and want to pay out of pocket, that is up to you.
The cops should have pulled the guys plates and towed the car. but cali. tends to support law breakers. So.

 

[Seanuf99]

When an uninsured drunk totalled my 280ZX back in the '80s I learned that uninsured motorist coverage only pays for your medical bills.

I could be wrong, but I think you might be mistaking underinsured (medical) coverage for uninsured (liabilty) coverage. Also could vary by state, but generally uninsired would cover diminished value.

 

[Crew4991]

This is unfortunate. Sorry to hear about his incident. If you are handy/like to tinker; while it is a pain in the butt, you could take off the bumper cover and adjust the headlight alignment yourself? I have taken off the bumper a few times now and it isn't that difficult, just time consuming. Otherwise, the misalignment is hardly noticeable to anyone else, so if you leave it the way it is I bet nobody will even notice if you decide to sell the car in the future. I'm sure most would just assume it was a build quality issue rather than a potential damage spot.

 

[Farkel]

I could be wrong, but I think you might be mistaking underinsured (medical) coverage for uninsured (liabilty) coverage. Also could vary by state, but generally uninsired would cover diminished value.

You might be right about that; my statement is based on personal experience. I haven't even seen uninsured liability offered as an option, but maybe I haven't looked hard enough. That sounds like a wise investment these days, and I'll look into it. Thanks.

Edit: Wow! Who knew? Looks like you are correct. I'll be talking to GEICO ASAP. Thanks again.

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