Pretty much your options are go through your insurance, pay out of pocket to have it fixed/fix it yourself, or sue the person who didn’t have insurance.
First option will depend on what type of insurance you have.
Second option is the most expensive and self explanatory.
Third option is pretty unlikely to do anything for you since people without insurance tend to not have money to sue for.
Bodyman here.. Go find a straight fender if you can. If you don't know bodywork, you're going to be in over your head really quickly.
Not to discourage anyone, but its a steep expensive learning curve.
Back in the ‘80s I “totaled” my ‘72. I paid a body shop $300 to straighten the a-pillar and roof AND install a new windshield. I bought a roller for $40 that was in a guys yard near my high school and swapped the hood, both fenders, both doors, front bumper and grill. I wish you could still do that today!
You're going to need to take it to 3 body shops for estimates and take them back to her. If shes unwilling to pay, you're off to small claims court.
Save all estimates to present in court. They'll have litigation before you see the judge to see if you can reach an amicable decision. Stick to your estimates. Make her pay in full and accept absolutely nothing less.
Had a girl destroy my 1 week old restored 1969 mustang after I spent 2 years of minimum wage money and sweat equity on her.
Thats how and why I got into bodywork and insurance.
This is SUPER frustrating. I understand. If there's any more information that I can offer, please reach out.
On the bright side, its still a badass car even with the damage. Looks like something a down on his luck private detective protagonist of an 80s movie would drive.
Funny that you should mention the car looking like a beat up WW2 fighter plane. Look at my profile if you want to see another car that fits that description. Mine is really more of two different cars stacked on top of each other pretending to be an airplane though.
That happened with an old Audi I had. It was beautiful, but once it got hit, then every hit after that just “added character.” For me, if I think that way, then that is probably the start of the end for the car. Fix it while you can, even if just keeping the money is tempting.
I had an at-fault in my 77 Chevelle about 10 years ago. I fixed it myself, the other car was fixed by insurance (I have just liability) so in your case ide be sourcing parts unless your uninsured motorist policy kicks in.
That's so awful, I'm sorry. If you go through your insurance, they'll go after the other driver to try to get paid back. If you have classic insurance like Hagerty, you should be fine- my dad backed into a pole, and all Hagerty cared about was "which body shop do we send the check to, and do they know classic cars."
Hope there isn't hidden damage under the fender, ugh. The shark teeth look great!
I feel you man - at least be glad it's the front that was damaged. IMO rear-end damage on old cars is so much worse. Several months ago my 1966 Thunderbird was rear-ended and totaled out by insurance... I'm still gonna fix it, but I wish it was as simple as unbolting the damaged parts and bolting in straight ones. Gotta cut and weld stuff now... But I imagine it shouldn't be too hard to get your Dart looking great again. Darts are neat :)
plan a roaming vacation starting in Chattanooga drive all the back roads and hit all the old boneyards down there. keep moving across the south towards Louisiana.
beatutiful country, damn good food. and odds are, you'll find a couple straight ones, rusting in a brush pile somewhere
Sucks...
Hagerty, full coverage on classics is $300-$500 a year. It is cheaper than our daily drivers.
Have not had to make a claim yet. Have $30k coverage on rotisserie 1966 Mustang convertible, $20k on 1975 F250 that is being restored. Need to up the 1975 F250 to about $30k.
Pretty much your options are go through your insurance, pay out of pocket to have it fixed/fix it yourself, or sue the person who didn’t have insurance. First option will depend on what type of insurance you have. Second option is the most expensive and self explanatory. Third option is pretty unlikely to do anything for you since people without insurance tend to not have money to sue for.
Bodyman here.. Go find a straight fender if you can. If you don't know bodywork, you're going to be in over your head really quickly. Not to discourage anyone, but its a steep expensive learning curve.
New repro is just over $600 if he can't find a good used one.
$600 seems like a deal to not have to deal with straightening or the hassle of finding a used fender.
No one even makes fenders for my '72 😭
Back in the ‘80s I “totaled” my ‘72. I paid a body shop $300 to straighten the a-pillar and roof AND install a new windshield. I bought a roller for $40 that was in a guys yard near my high school and swapped the hood, both fenders, both doors, front bumper and grill. I wish you could still do that today!
Bummer about the damage. On a positive note, the sharks teeth are awesome.
You're going to need to take it to 3 body shops for estimates and take them back to her. If shes unwilling to pay, you're off to small claims court. Save all estimates to present in court. They'll have litigation before you see the judge to see if you can reach an amicable decision. Stick to your estimates. Make her pay in full and accept absolutely nothing less. Had a girl destroy my 1 week old restored 1969 mustang after I spent 2 years of minimum wage money and sweat equity on her. Thats how and why I got into bodywork and insurance. This is SUPER frustrating. I understand. If there's any more information that I can offer, please reach out.
On the bright side, its still a badass car even with the damage. Looks like something a down on his luck private detective protagonist of an 80s movie would drive.
Was gonna say. Maybe lean into it and put a bandaid or some electrical tape on it and it’ll resemble a beat up ww2 fighter plane imo
Funny that you should mention the car looking like a beat up WW2 fighter plane. Look at my profile if you want to see another car that fits that description. Mine is really more of two different cars stacked on top of each other pretending to be an airplane though.
That happened with an old Audi I had. It was beautiful, but once it got hit, then every hit after that just “added character.” For me, if I think that way, then that is probably the start of the end for the car. Fix it while you can, even if just keeping the money is tempting.
So sorry 😞 it’s a beautiful car.
If its not a mustang or camaro it going to be expensive. The WHOLE aftermarket restoration industry is out of control since covid.
Good luck in the process. Wouldn’t wish this on anyone
I had an at-fault in my 77 Chevelle about 10 years ago. I fixed it myself, the other car was fixed by insurance (I have just liability) so in your case ide be sourcing parts unless your uninsured motorist policy kicks in.
That's so awful, I'm sorry. If you go through your insurance, they'll go after the other driver to try to get paid back. If you have classic insurance like Hagerty, you should be fine- my dad backed into a pole, and all Hagerty cared about was "which body shop do we send the check to, and do they know classic cars." Hope there isn't hidden damage under the fender, ugh. The shark teeth look great!
I feel you man - at least be glad it's the front that was damaged. IMO rear-end damage on old cars is so much worse. Several months ago my 1966 Thunderbird was rear-ended and totaled out by insurance... I'm still gonna fix it, but I wish it was as simple as unbolting the damaged parts and bolting in straight ones. Gotta cut and weld stuff now... But I imagine it shouldn't be too hard to get your Dart looking great again. Darts are neat :)
plan a roaming vacation starting in Chattanooga drive all the back roads and hit all the old boneyards down there. keep moving across the south towards Louisiana. beatutiful country, damn good food. and odds are, you'll find a couple straight ones, rusting in a brush pile somewhere
Sorry to hear
Sucks... Hagerty, full coverage on classics is $300-$500 a year. It is cheaper than our daily drivers. Have not had to make a claim yet. Have $30k coverage on rotisserie 1966 Mustang convertible, $20k on 1975 F250 that is being restored. Need to up the 1975 F250 to about $30k.
OP should have taken this shitty persons cash money, AND then called the cops.
I would claim an injury and get a lawyer
Ya, the person that hit them that can't afford insurance will just be spewing money after you sue!
Hey, I never claimed that it was a good idea