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. :(