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Hardtop Damaged in rear-end accident

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#21 ·
AZrat said:
Please do! Sounds like you're on the right track. You can also go to bat for yourself and be very clear with the insurance adjuster that you're not happy with the idea of repairing a plastic top but are otherwise eager to come to a resolution. The insurance adjuster is evaluated by his employer on both how little he has to pay out AND how fast he can get the claim resolved. The longer it drags out the worse it it for him, as well as for you. This also comes into play if they are paying for a rental car for you while this is being resolved (I hope they are!). The end result should be that you are made whole and end up with a jeep having the same value as before the accident, or a cash equivalent for devaluation. You should also expect to have no cash outlay or ancillary expense on your part.
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You gotta remember. Vehicles are repaired to "Pre- loss" not "New". A repair to that top is pre loss. And its a 98. I can see if it was a 2013 or so.
 
#22 ·
talk to the body shop. it might take convincing since its more "labor" for them to simply fix it rather than get a new one. If its cracked on both sides id argue its damaged and can be a liability down the road.
 
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#23 ·
Feereless said:
talk to the body shop. it might take convincing since its more "labor" for them to simply fix it rather than get a new one. If its cracked on both sides id argue its damaged and can be a liability down the road.
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The cost of the labor for the crack repairs will be a lot less than a new top.
 
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#24 ·
blkrubi88 said:
The cost of the labor for the crack repairs will be a lot less than a new top.
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yes but the insurance reimburses for the part cost. labor is pure profit for them. if they can rack up the labor they make more money.
 
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#25 ·
krisbman said:
You gotta remember. Vehicles are repaired to "Pre- loss" not "New". A repair to that top is pre loss. And its a 98. I can see if it was a 2013 or so.
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I agree in concept, but in this case, pre-loss would be a top without cracks in a high stress area that have been repaired and could potentially cause problems in the future.

They would be well within their rights to offer up the cost of a replacement top minus any devaluation for the age of the old one. For example if it was faded or already had a window broken pre-accident, they wouldn't be liable to pay for 100% of the cost of a new top, because their insured driver didn't cause that devaluation. But, if the top was in good shape and not previously damaged or faded then as far as this component is concerned the pre-accident condition would be pretty much like new.

That would be my argument anyway. Maybe I'm wrong though, we'll see.
 
#26 ·
Feereless said:
yes but the insurance reimburses for the part cost. labor is pure profit for them. if they can rack up the labor they make more money.
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Maybe, but an insurance company goes the cheapest route, which in this case as minor as those cracks are, is repair.
 
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#30 ·
krisbman said:
You have no clue how insurance works. You think that an insurance company is gonna replace a panel just because you dont want a little bondo in your vehicle? It doesnt matter if it was your fault or not.
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They will replace the top if OP demands it. It doesn't matter if it's a 1998, OP is not at fault, her vehicle is to be repaired to the state at which it was prior to the accident. Your post, they're shit and you're always imposing your rude ways. Chip on your shoulder bud?

OP best of luck, ignore this guy.... Demand your vehicle gets fixed, they'll try and cheap out don't allow it.
 
#31 ·
G9803 said:
They will replace the top if OP demands it. It doesn't matter if it's a 1998, OP is not at fault, her vehicle is to be repaired to the state at which it was prior to the accident. Your post, they're shit and you're always imposing your rude ways. Chip on your shoulder bud? OP best of luck, ignore this guy.... Demand your vehicle gets fixed, they'll try and cheap out don't allow it.
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No chip here newb. Just been in the trade long enough to know how insurance companies work. And the vehicle being 20 years old does play a factor. Its not a "New" top. "Pre-loss" is the term. Look it up.
 
#34 ·
Lets ply nice. And my hardtop is cracked way worse.Im going to TRY to repair it.
 
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#36 ·
krisbman said:
I can walk you through the repair process
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That would be great.Ill take any tips/help that I can get.Im not quite ready to begin since Im doing some frame repair but if you want to give me some starting ideas that would be good.
I dont want to steal the op's thread but I do have my own thread open about it.
 
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