Anybody that has been through a rear end collision with an A2 Jetta, and has
had their car successfully repaired, please let me know...I have post-crash
pictures of my Jetta, and need to know how to handle the insurance adjuster
tomorrow

--
--
Pete Cressman
cressmanp (AT) rogers (DOT) com

1990 Jetta GLI Wolfsburg Edition
1968 Beetle GLX
2003 Beetle GLS

"On the road of life there are passengers
and there are drivers"

Rear ends are never your fault, so milk the other guy for all he's got
;-)... Get a new A4 Jetta outta the deal some how...

How bad is your Jetta Peter?

More importantly, are you okay?
"Pete Cressman" <cressmanp (AT) rogers (DOT) com> wrote

I was in a 5-car collision recently in my A2 Jetta. My A2 was the last car
to be hit (the front most car) and my rear bumper including its
re-inforcement inside had to be replaced, although it took the hit well. The
trunk floor was bent upwards on the left side. The auto-body shop gave me an
estimate of CAD$2300 for that. The insurance adjuster will examine the
damage and take digital pictures and also will look at the damage estimate
from the auto-body shop (if you have one). Basically, he/she will cross
check the $ amount from the auto body shop. Remember, it's YOUR choice where
you want to get your car repaired from. Also, I think that if the damage
estimate is more than the red-book value of your car, then the insurance co.
will give you the lesser of the amounts (hurts, I know).

If you're in the Toronto Area, I highly recommend going to Reg's Auto Body
shop at Danforth/Kennedy Road. He has been in business for over 30 years and
deals directly with the insurance companies. He also has rentals on-site. I
had no hassles at all. His tel. number is 416-261-5558.

Amit.
amit_at_interlog.com

"Pete Cressman" <cressmanp (AT) rogers (DOT) com> wrote

lot where the OP didn't stop), I went through a similar thing in '98 on my
A2 GTI...I wasn't quite ready to part with the car, of course the
insurance company wanted to total it out (it was an '86)...they did, but I
bought it back from them, and with a couple of friends fixed it up...some
of the damage was to the front unibody, so that had to be straightened to
get a new fender and bumper to attach right...we didn't have portapower,
but used an I beam leverage to bend things back into closer alignment...it
wasn't perfect, but I could put a new fender, grill, headlights, and
bumper on it...bought at salvage yard, the parts were only a couple
hundred dollars (mostly was labor, getting it back into form)....also
needed new hood and front radiator support.

I didn't even have it repainted, so I had a different color fender
(burgandy) on my Silver car...but I think it actually made people drive
more carefully in front of me (for someone driving a small car)...since
they assumed that I could get into another accident with them...didn't
look too bad, made the car more utilitarian....I drove it another 2 years,
and sold it for $1600.

The back is tougher to deal with (unless you have bodyworking tools
welding equipment) unless it is just rear bumper or trunk. If there is
much damage, you are going to have a hard time getting it fixed for the
insurance settlement, unless you can do it yourself or get some friends to
help.

Sorry to hear of your accident....I now have an A4, though I miss my A2
(like my A1 before it)....for me, it was time to get something else, after
having the A2 almost 15 years (vs only 7 for the A1).

--
---------
Tom Flynn
I speak only for myself


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Get an estimate from a VW dealership, as it is likely to be the highest
Note that some dealerships don't do free estimates anymore.
Keep it to yourself until you see what the adjuster estimates.
If his is lower then show him the estimate.
If his is higher keep your mouth shut.
Be sure to make the insurance company provide you with a rental while yours is
in the shop. If the insurance company drags their feet settling, get the rental
car whether you need it or not. That rental meter ticking away on their dime
tends to move things along.
If they try to screw you, tell them you and your SO have not been able to have
sex ever since the accident, and what are they going to do about that?


Rex in Fort Worth

Put the pics up on a web site somewhere like geocities and then post the
link here for better info. But my understanding is that a major wreck
in the rear almost always totals the car. Most everything is welded in
there and so can't be easily replaced like front end parts. In addition,
the stuff that crumpled to lessen the energy transfered to you isn't
going to crumple again the 2nd time. If you ever get in another major
accident with it you may not be as lucky.

A2 Jettas in good condition are a dime a dozen in the south. I wouldn't
bother trying to fix it. Just get it totalled and look around for another
one from Georgia, Texas, CA, etc. To import a VW of that age from the USA
you probably only need to get the speedo replaced, since they were basically
the same in how they were offered in both countries.

Even if they do a good job fixing it, it'll likely rust quicker or the new
paint will peel or body panels will not have even gaps where the meet other
body panels, or it'll be hard to align... the list goes on and on.

Of course, I could be assuming the damage to be much greater than it is,
but this car's value is probably under $3k USD.

In article <tBTXb.27079$iVf1.8710 (AT) twister01 (DOT) bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>,
Pete Cressman <cressmanp (AT) rogers (DOT) com> wrote:

Get all the estimates you can, & if repairable give the insurance company the one that you want to repair the car (the best shop); if it's totaled, then give them the highest. Remind them that they'll owe you for diminished value after the car is fixed, as well as a rental car. Check your state laws concerning the length of rental allowed as well as other specifics. Visit my website for other tips & info, & links to your state regulator. Don't let them tell you where to take it (they can't). Don't try to get more than you're due - that's insurance fraud.
After it's all finished, post your story on my website, 'cause I'm sure they'll try to screw you. :-)
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"
http://screwedbyinsurance.com