Girlfriend wrecked car. Question about wheels & insurance
 

This past weekend my girlfriend was driving my car by herself (that'll never happen again, lol) and passed out (was coming back from an outdoor concert and was dehydrated according to medics) and ended up going off the road into a ditch. She's ok, and the car isn't too horribly bad off (to me it is, but I guess in the whole scheme of things it's pretty good).

Anyhow, 3 of the wheels got really scratched up bad. I just got the estimate from State Farm but haven't been able to talk to the shop about it (they're closed now). But.. on the estimate it lists REPAIR for the 3 wheels through TransWheel, at a cost of $213 per wheel. It also lists them as "Judgement Item". I'm not totally sure what judgement item means, but I really don't want them to try to repair wheels that are that messed up. Does anyone have any experience with this situation, TransWheel, and what my options are? I know these wheels are expensive, and I don't want shoddy work on them. I was expecting them to be replaced.

I'm glad that your GF was ok, that could have been alot worse.

The wheels can be repaired and brought back to a near-new state by any competent wheel repairer. I wouldn't worry about them not being the same after a repair.

Find a good wheel repairer in your area with the money you're paid out and get them taken care of.

Glad your Girl friend is Ok..

If you know my history, you know that I am on borrowed time..

Cars and money are nothing in the big picture of life..

People lives are more important than anything...I am glad she is OK..

Mike

Man, I'm sorry to hear that. Glad she's ok. Best of luck.

Glad your GF is OK. I would call the insurance and ask them about any question you have concerning the repair of your car.

Also talk to the estimator and/or Shop repairing the car.

GL

I am an estimator at a body shop and write estimates for State Farm's DRP program. As long as the wheels are not bent State Farm makes us write to recondition them. You can call State Farm and argue with them, but it won't do much good. They are not going to pay $3,000 for 3 wheels when they can get them reconditioned for $600. If you have any specific questions send me a pm and I will try to help you out.

Sorry to hear that about your gf. I'm glad she is doing well.

Thanks everyone. Yeah, she's very lucky she walked away with just a few very minor bruises. A tree or any other kind of immovable object that could have been in the path would have probably made it a completely different story. First and foremost I'm glad she's ok.

Looks like they'll be replacing the front bumper, drivers-side fender and door, trying to remove the big dent in the rear quarter-panel (they said trying to replace that section requires welding and stuff so trying to fix is better) and supposedly fixing the rear bumper, but I'm going to try to fight to get them to replace it. I don't want bondo or other crap. It sounds like everything under the car is ok.

Is there anything else I should be pushing for or trying to do? Can I file a diminished value claim or anything else?

I just sent you a pm. Hope it helps.

Glad she's ok. Accidents happen and few can say they walked away. Car can and will be fixed. Good luck!

Man that's intense. Glad she's doing good. As stated above, the car WILL be fixed so no worries there.

I'm also an estimator. In Wisconsin St. Farm is a real cut throat insurance company. With little to no moral standards. The main thing when the car gets fixed, and something doesn't meet your expectations. Make sure to raise hell to St. Farm. The shop more than likely wants to fix it right, and will help you. Express your concern's to the shop before the repair, so they know what you want. There isn't much for wheel repair around here, but from what I have seen has not been positive. As mentioned before I'm sure they want to try and have them repiared first. Things to look for on your wheels when they are repaired. Make sure the color is uniform. Check to see if you cant see the repair. Also check the texture. Make sure it feels smooth not covered in overspray. It will be rough to the touch if it's a problem. The one's we have had done were awful, and the insurance company paid for new wheels. Welcome to the wonderful world of insurance companies....

Everybody is OK and car will be put back into shape, hooray.

My gal can't drive stick. I would tell you to get the MT to help prevent this but you already have one.

Did you honestly just use the words 'insurance company' and 'moral standards' in the same context?

I vote this the unintentionally funny post of the day. :tiphat:

OP, if they are true and just scratched...let them repair them. If they look sparkly, case closed. If they are not very good looking you have a case to push the insurance company on in that they are obviously not right.

Would they allow a fender to be replaced and have a divot in it with not quite matched paint? No. So if the wheel is not right focus on that after they try.

- b

wow, passing out from dehydration...was she super drunk at the concert and throwing up or something? dang... glad to hear she is okay though.

sorry to hear about your car. :(

No, she didn't drink (alcohol) at all. It was an all-day multi-stage outdoor concert in 90+ degree weather though (like Warped Tour, if you're familiar with that) and I guess the heat and not enough fluids did it.

Thanks for the input everyone. At this moment I'm seriously considering just putting the money insurance is giving for the wheels towards new Avant Garde 310's and just trying to sell the Sport 19's as-is. I know I wouldn't get much for them, but I think now's the time to get new wheels if I want them. I'm just trying to see if I can swing the additional cost I'd have to pay for them.

Trade them both in? Maybe its a sign? :shakes head: However, I'm happy that at the end of the day, no one got hurt. Thats still the most important thing. "Things" can be replaced...people can't...well you can trade up.

True. I know what you are saying, but I have replaced many GF's, mostly trade ups. :p :icon17:

Glad no one was hurt.

I have purchased repaired wheels before, not for the Z to replace a cracked rim. There is no way to repair cracks or chips for non steel rims. Anything else is repairable within reason. The rims were probably from a totaled car or something and I couldn't tell the difference between them and the OEM ones I already had. Balance and dimensions were all the same.

I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought a set of Matte Black Avant Garde 310's. Eric from GetYourWheels was incredibly helpful and patient with me as I went back and forth with the decision. I'm really looking forward to getting them on the car and I think they'll look really good. I'll just try to sell the damaged wheels as-is. I know I won't make much from them, but any little bit will help.

Is your GF covered on your insurance?
Could they deny your claim if she is not a covered driver?
Did you really let your GF drive your 370Z alone??? Have you no love for your Z?

Insurance covers the car, not the driver of it, so the accident is covered even though she was driving. And lesson learned, for sure..

:bowrofl: Sort of agree though.

+1........ :iagree: Never ever let a GD woman drive your GD car from here on out, or anyone to that point. If something is going to happen I would rather it be b/c of me & not b/c of someone else.

Yeap, I prefer to be mad with myself that with someone else.

Totally agree. (Hard) lesson learned.. :(