road hazard body damage, what are my better options?
 

:cry:

sad news for me, I drive my 2017 BRZ year round including very heavy snow. I was driving down the road when broken pavement knocked out a huge boulder sized rock to the side of my car and caused extensive damage.

I got repair quotes ranging from 1900 to 2700 USD. My insurance will ultimately end up charging me 1100 USD and they'll cover the rest, even if it's not my fault at all (yes insurance companies suck). I might get my loses back through my city's department of transport, I'm filling that up right now.

But here's the real question I have: The body repair shops tell me pretty much they'll paint at least the whole door and half the fender to get it all fixed. I'm probably old school, but from what I know, no paint job outside the factory original is as good or will last as long. My other option is touch up paint that'll cost 75 USD and keep the original factory paint.

I know my car will most definitely take a large hit now in resale value regardless of how I choose to fix it. but I don't know which option of the two (2000$ full repair or just touch up and keep the OEM paint) is less of a hit. Also there is a chance I might be keeping this car for years and years so I also don't know what's the better option for me in the long run if I keep it for say 8 to 10 years. So far I love it to bits and pieces and there is nothing in the market I'd replace it with.

On a side note: It really sucks that I've been driving the wheels and bolts off my car everywhere including racing, snow drifting, ice racing, and other stuff I'd never admit here, and the only damage I sustained so far is from people backing into it and boulders coming out of the ground. And they say speed kills....

That is not "extensive" damage. It is minor cosmetic damage (still sucks).
Paint jobs, done properly, can and often do exceed modern factory paint quality by a huge margin. Don't sweat that part.
It will not take a "huge" hit in resale value. Huge hits come from real extensive damage. There will be virtually no difference in value from that repair.
Get it repaired properly. A slapped on touch up job will indeed drop the value more than a proper repair. If you plan on keeping it 8 to 10 years the damage won't mean a thing for resale anyway.
It is a car that is on the streets with other cars. Shit happens.

Personally.... this is me... but I would not even submit that to insurance, buy a door the same color and year car and swap. Likely it would be cheaper, and wouldn't show up as a repair on carfax. The side skirt I would buff out as good as possible, and live with the rest.

Hey Tcoat :)

It's been a long time.

Thanks for the post, that makes me feel much better for the whole incident.

I'm enjoying my BRZ immensely. One of my best life purchases yet. If ever money can be converted to smiles it's this..

I dismissed the UEL header for now cause I want the headache free warranty. Until that's run out, I'll then consider an UEL header. Will also be a fun change to the car 3 years down the line.

Why does it suck that they're going to pay for most of the repair? Would you rather not have insurance and pay all of it yourself?

LOL no it won't.

you pose a good question. I am asking that question myself. I pay more than 200 USD/month on car insurance. You do have to ask yourself, in the long run is it better not to have insurance at all? and in all cases liability is compulsory. I hate insurance companies.

I hope you're right about me not losing much in resale value. That would be nice.

I had previously posted about empty soda cans flying all over on Hwy 290 in Houston and few cans hit my car. After washing the car I noticed in some places paint is gone, good news is that there is no damage or dent. How do I fix paint? Thanks.

$200+ per month and you have an $1100 deductible? Wow, sucks IMO (though I don't know what's normal for your area).

500 deductible and than this incident will show on my record for 3 years increasing my insurance to total 600 over 3 years to a grand total of 1100 out of my pocket.

Shouldn't this be a no fault kind of thing, so not being on your record?

If it will be counted against you, I'd wait until you see if the city or county to pay. I'm cheap, I'd either replace the door myself.

Have you got any paintless dent repair quotes? Will the scuff buff out? I accidentally backed into my truck with my brz, the PDR was way less than my deductible, can't really even tell aside from the small scratch in the bumper cover. Didn't go against my insurance that way.

That's what I thought but no they count it as a collision or something hence why I'm very angry at them.


I honestly never heard of this paintless dent repair before reading your post. I googled it a bit now. They gave me the option of repaint or just touch up paint which will not hide the damage. I never got a quote for paintless dent repair. I might call them up and ask about it.

What sort of scam of an insurance company do you have that they jack up your rates for something like that?

That damage is not a candidate for paintless dent repair. The paint is too damaged and the metal is creased not dented. The only ways are to replace the whole door as suggested or do a proper repair and paint blend. If keeping the car for years there is also the option of just touching it up and living with it.

I'm looking to change them but there are a lot of details for my situation so my options are limited to begin with.