An individual struck a fire hydrant, while driving on an icy/snowy road and talking on their cell phone or something like that. The hydrant deflected off my car's bumper and right rear "quarter panel", while it was parked (no one was in my car). Thankfully the police were called to the scene, since the driver needed to get their car towed away due to extensive damage on their front end. The officers notified me right away and gave me the driver's information. I blame the placement of the fire hydrant ultimately, for this incident, as the speed limit is 35mph + 15mph max (without getting a ticket?) along the street where it occured. Really, a pedestrian could have been killed.

That individual's insurance is willing to cover all the cost to fix the damage.

Unfortunately, I took the car for an "estimate" of the repair, and was notified if the quarter panel's dent was fixed and repainted, it could could end up worse than it currently appears. The worst case scenario, the paint surrounding it will keep peeling off as a result of the repair, and hole could even occur.

I was advised by the body shop's representative/adjuster who did the estimate, to cash out. The estimate was close to $700. He also told me I could get something like a simple/cheap spray pain can, and hide the color of the orange "scar" from hydrant that struck the car.

The following image depicts the "quarter panel" of a different Integra: http://www.bumperdoc.com/images/gall...autobody_6.jpg

This is the same body shop I took to have my car repaired due to being rear ended. In that estimate they stated $1200 but the cost came up to $2000.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/acura-integra-6/least-i-should-expect-pay-body-work-3181273/

My dilemma on this stems on the fact, I will need to get a new pair of tires (all 4) plus labor for installation ( around $400 total ) & may have to get new timing belt kit replacement ($700). I will have the timing belt examined on my next oil change, i.e. 2 months from now.

In the 1st image link, the green marking to the right wasn't caused by the hydrant. It is rust, near the splash shield, that has been developing/spreading on the Integra, and doesn't seem permanently fixable as well.

I specifically asked the adjuster to clarify and he stated that after the fixing the dent directly above the wheel, repainting it would be no good as it would peel off months down the line.

I'll try to post better pictures tomorrow.

https://i.imgur.com/T9uGxzQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HNZlkUE.jpg

Has anyone known of a similar scenario occurring ?

I'd like to keep the car to at least 200 thousand miles.

 

Wait so the last pics are of YOUR car right ? how can that even be close to 700$ ! that's maybe 200$ max around here. My Jazz got backed into and was much worse I wish I had the pic still but I was pushed in area about 8x8'' and all fixed up 400$ done. did they say you needed a timing belt too and 4 new tires ? when my jazz got evaluated they said I needed new roof molding and an alignment the area that was the door lol needless to say I got a 1.3K check and got to keep 900$ cause all it took was 4. OP go to a "mom and pop" body shop if that term can be used when it comes to insurance most of the big shops will do everything it says on the list when it' far from needed. that rust by the splash shield can be cut out and new metal welded in easily I had some and got it removed an new metal put in total cost:250$ all in they're taking you to town....DON'T LET THEM !!.


Disclaimer> if what I did was "fraud" I was unaware.... but no way in hell do I need new roof molding when I got my door backed into.

 

You have Honda rot, the lip of your wheel arch(s) are rusting away, you can see the "bubbling" paint along the bend, my guess is if you pull the rear wheel arch protectors off, a lot of the lip will come with it.

Rust, like canser, must be completely cut out or it will keep spreading, repairing that "dent" would be almost pointless, the body shop is correct, although if they are any good, you should get a season +/- out of it. 94

 

Thanks for the response, from what I'm understanding, it's best to take the money? Then have a mom and pop body shop fix it, primarily for the rust that is spreading?

Just a heads up, the body shop I got the estimate from, is 1 that is "approved/certified" by State Farm and Geico car insurance. They are tied to a "new car" dealership as well.

Here are better pictures, the areas marked in green, represent areas caused by the fire hydrant. Also the gap between the quarter panel & bumper isn't as noticeable as on the left side (driver's side). I'll try to provide a picture of that as well.

https://i.imgur.com/lM1zogA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fKWUVCg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/w4JnH7o.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/W4BaBlM.jpg

The rust that is spreaading; not caused by the fire hydrant:
https://i.imgur.com/HDNO4IE.jpg

Left/drive side, flawless in comparison :
https://i.imgur.com/2ww7RbY.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/T9uxyay.jpg

 

Remove the arch protector on the left side, clean the lip, pay close attention to the inside of the lip, spray the inside with an undercoating and you will not have that problem.

Rubberized undercoat rattle cans can be found at most car auto parts stores.

All you can do on the right side is replace the rusted metal, unfortunately I know of no place that sells just the arch, Acura sells the complete panel, around $600.

You could always just hit up your local PicknPull and find an un-rusted Integra and cut out what you need and have the mom and pop shop install it.94

 

So for now, i should take the money and run. When the time comes go to a mom and pop body shop and have them fix the protruding rust, so i can save a huge chunk of that insurance pay off?

Also, is $681 a good payoff, or should I request for more?

 

681$ for what's needed is more then it'll cost(at least here) so yes you'll have some free money lol. I see no harm in asking for more but if you get caught there may be some downfall to it... maybe not idk I haven't got caught. jealous of the fact that you have no snow ! have like 4ft here

 

To properly fix that dent they need to replace that rear 1/4 panel. You're getting a quote from a hack job body shop. I would raise hell with them if I was in the same situation. You need to tell them putting some bondo over the dent isn't how you fix the car. A proper estimate would be in the $2500 range and up. That would total your car easily. They'll give you what your car is worth and (not sure about your state) you can buy the car back at 25% or so of the value and just keep driving it. That's the approach I would take.

 

Body shops and insurance company's always take the cheapest fastest route. You as the owner and customer need to make sure they do it the right way, with the right parts.

 

My trustworthy mechanic is offering to fix the dents and the rust for the same amount of price, after I cash out from the insurance pay off.
So far this seems to be the best course of action.

PS: The body shop's adjuster said, he would contact the insurance liable for paying for my car's damage, so i'm not sure getting another quote may be in my best interest.
What I'm trying to is, if the insurance thinks I'm trying to get as much money out of them, then they'll only give me the option to have the car repaired, instead of, having the car repaired or take the money. Should i be worried about that.

If the insurance asks why I take the money, what should a proper answer be or not be?

 

The "fix" for the accident is about what was quoted, the insurance company is not going to pay to repair the rust.

k3ntegra, there is no problem getting quotes from other places, but it is unlikely there will be much of a diff. as your insurance, [or other guys insurance] will not pay to have the rust repaired.

I would take the payout, and have it repaired yourself, as mentioned the proper way to make the repair is to replace the quarter panel, or at the very
least cut out all the rusted area, [wheel arch] and replace it with new metal, as I also mentioned, get that section from a wrecker, a new quarter panel is $600+ and will be more to install and paint. 94

 

Yeah, taking is the wise thing to do, after much deliberation. Thank you for your assistance.

I'll tell the insurance, there are other ways for me to ensure the "longevity" of my vehicle. Is this a good answer?

 

Just tell them you will do it yourself as the body shops can't guarantee the job because of the rust below the damage. 94