[Nicks79]

Hey all,
Traveling down US285 in Monte Vista the other night, a flatbed truck directly in front of me lost a length of fence and before I could stop it struck my 97 and did some damage. I got an estimate today (high) and it was for $4700.00. I am going to report it to insurance, but I believe I may be able to do it myself cheaper... way cheaper. What I need to fix is the hood, a little bit of the fender, windshield (small crack) headlight support (plastic thing that also holds the horsey) headlight mounting tabs, paint and antenna. So what would you do? and if you were going to do it yourself, do you think the insurance company would give you the cash to fix it in a DIY manor? Lemme know what you think! I need help ASAP

[GTRmustang95]

I think you need to consider a few things. How many claims have you had on your insurance already? is your rate high? whats the deductible? if your insurance is high and the deductible too then you might be able to flea bay and junkyard the parts and then just pay for painting, just so your insurance doesnt even go up more. Plus who did the estimate was it a fancy place that overcharges. I hope this helps.

[lxarlo]

if you are settled on goin through insurance, then just let them handle it and take it to a good body shop. unless you know how to paint well and enjoy body work, then you can cash out on it, otherwise i would have the insurance take care of it.

[Nicks79]

I have had no claims, and my INS. for a male driver under 26 primary is 150mo.

I am pretty good with a rattle can
seriously, how would I get a pay out from the insurance? Its State Farm, so anyone who has any dealings with them lemme know. I also got the quote from the by far best body shop in town. I think the guy wanted to repaint the whole car, which, being red was gonna be pricey in the first place. Lemme know guys! thanks for the help already!

[my02gt]

I do not have state farm but the way my ins. co. paid out was a check made out to the body shop.

[Nicks79]

Ok, but how would you do it personally instead of by a body shop?

[reivaxtorres]

nicks79, when i crashed my car, here is the break down of the prices for the parts you asked:
hood: mine was ok, didnt need to replace mine, but you could prob get a new one for about $200, aftermarket.
bumber(cover): used, got front and back for 200
windshield (broke myself on accident installing seat): 190 (new)
headligh support: ~150, cant remember exactly. got it from ford, but cheaper on ebay.
fender (front drivers side, didnt want to fix mine): 250 from ford, cheaper on ebay.
paint for the fender to match the car: 125. most body shops will charge around $200-300. got a hook up with a friend.
antenna (for our van, awhile ago) from ford wasnt more than ~$100 if i remember right.
tabs and misc things you might need such as rivets and whatnot, but it at $50. also, for our cars, in order to install that headlight mounting bracket, you will need a rivet gun. the shop that fixed the frame on my car installed the rivets for free for me, so you might be able to get someone to do the same. have pictures of me taking the car appart to replace those parts if you need them.
honestly it is cheaper to do it yourself. WAY cheaper, and you can knock it out in one day if you have the parts already. very simple hand tools are needed. oh, and try to save the GT badge on the side, ford wants $30+ for EACH. once again, i found both on ebay for $20. ebay is good. and no, i honestly dont think the insurance will give you the money, but it wouldnt hurt to ask anyways. need more help let me know.
-xavier
ps. mine's a 98gt, pretty much identical to yours.

[reivaxtorres]

typo corrections:
"but it at $50" was meant to say "put it at $50"
"car appart to replace" was meant to say "car apart to replace"
sorry, hate typos and always need to correct myself.

[lxarlo]

if you are goin to use spray paint then let the insurance cover it. why would you want a spray painted car? thats what ricers do

[Nicks79]

spray painting it was only a joke
reivaxtorres, thanks for the help man, Ill do that!

[GTS 5.7]

As a truck driver and a Mustang driver I say this-If the roll of fence wire came off of the flatbed and hit your car-It should be taken care of by the trucking company's insurance.It is the driver's responsibility to make sure his/her load is secured.I wouldn't do a thing to the car myself,let the body shop do it and the trucker's insurance pay for it...You did get all the pertinent info and a police report,right?..then you have your car fixed right and all you are out is the aggravation of following the procedural steps

[Nicks79]

That would work except they couldn't find the other party. It also wasn't a truck as in trucking company, it was some farmer driving his POS down the road and didn't have his crap secured Thanks though!

[GTS 5.7]

Ohhh..good luck,I really hope all works out OK 4 u.in that case,I'd do all I could myself-but realize what u can't and pay to have it done right.........keep us posted

[Nicks79]

Yea, it was a $h1tty night. Worst part was, between the time it happened to the time I got to the PD to fill out a report the guy came back, picked up the fence and left. The cops went to do their investigation and found nothing... arrested me for false reporting, leaving the scene of an accident, careless driving.... all in all, one Mistamener (sp?) and 16 points... sssssoooooooooooo we will see how that goes too..
but if I ever find the guy...

[reivaxtorres]

nicks79, just send you an email with the pics, let me know if you did/did not receive them. and you got arrested and charged with a misdemeanor? wow...that sucks. good luck and hope the cops realize their mistake and forget about it all.