Thank you for the update Richard.... The $15K estimate seems fair to me. A
body shop gave $10K for a paint job on a white tintop, no body work.

Best wishes... :-)

On Mon, May 8, 2023 at 4:10 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

> So, one month ago I got T-boned by a Tesla.  Here's the thing:  Insurance
> Companies only deal in proof.  Hard evidence.  Even eyewitnesses are not
> always reliable, nor your own testimony and even if other driver states "It
> was all my fault."  Dashcam evidence is becoming popular, and the Tesla had
> one of those.  Not even Police Reports....they arrived 5 minutes after the
> event, didn't see it happen.  But the other insurance company might hold
> onto this evidence...and it takes mucho legal stuff ($$$$) to get all that
> out in the open.
>
> You just kind of get tired of going to bed every night and waking up every
> morning with these things on your mind.  It messes life up.  Meanwhile, no
> travel adventures in Vanagon.  Will be that way for a long time.  Good
> news:  my insurance company (Farmers/21st Century) put via direct deposit
> $10.2K into my bank; they acknowledged that sometimes more issues arise
> after getting into it, and said they will review supplemental photos and
> evidence and adjust accordingly.  Body shop estimates roughly $15K.
>
> Onto the Body Shop...now, this is not a simple dented panel.  This is
> major frame straightening before any of the easy stuff happens.  My guy is
> skilled at this regarding Vanagons.  And, he has immediate access to 3 junk
> Vanagons if a "clip" is the proper solution.  Doors are easy.  Windshields
> are easy.  But everything has to be just right before doing these.  Paint &
> Bondo are likewise easy; frame straightening is not.  He has been highly
> endorsed by at least 3 of my San Diego Vanagon friends; the only
> caveat....you've got to be patient with him...the van will look brand
> new....but he will do it on his time and schedule.
>
> I've driven my Vanagon 3 times so far to his shop to discuss.  Basically,
> he requires $10K Cash as deposit, my van and the keys.  His timeframe of 5
> weeks will surely double or triple....I just know this.  And what I am
> learning----this is kind of how it works in the Vanagon World.  Mechanics
> and Body Shops kind of got you between a rock and a hard place.  But
> looking forward to the day sometime later this summer when I'm back on the
> road.  Meanwhile....I am driving super conservative and always being aware
> of fast Teslas.
> >
> > https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2384318.jpg
> >
> > https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2384319.jpg
> >
> > https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2384320.jpg
> >
> > https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2384321.jpg
> >
>
>