Watch Out for Those Falling Branches on Coral Way (Miami: rental car, rental)

[elchevere]

....they can be hazardous to the health of your car.

Was driving westbound on Coral Way, heading into Coral Gables for lunch earlier this week when I heard and felt a loud thump (or two) against my car from falling, dry/rotted out branches that fell from a tree in the center meridian and struck the left side of my car. Got out at the first red light to inspect damage before heading over to a nearby local dealer to have them give a quick, general inspection of my car when they identified a dent in my driver door and a scoff mark further up near my front bumper.

Finally had a chance, today, to bring it to the authorized body repair shop that works with a different dealer (in Ft Lauderdale) I bought the car from and they noticed additional damage.

Total estimate: $ 18,000 !!!.......I prefer not to reveal the brand of the car, but let's just say it's not a Chevy Cruz.

Don't really care what the insurance carrier negotiates them down to as long as they agree to take care of all the damage and they designate it as a comprehensive claim (so my rates do not go up....act of nature, similar to golf ball size hail doing damage to a car--not collision, which would result in an increase).

Learned that FDOT, not the City of Miami, is responsible for Coral Way.....not my problem, but I would imagine they, too, will claim act of god meaning I won't see the insurance company subrogation process being too successful, if at all, and me getting my deductible back (least of my worries).

[Corrie22]

that could have been a whole lot worse.....thankfully you're ok

...yep, Coral Way is a state road....

[elchevere]

Thanks!...needless to say I won’t be celebrating Arbor Day this year.

[WilliamInMiami]

Nobody ever believes me when I insist that the tree hit me.

[zorinlynx]

Originally Posted by elchevere

....they can be hazardous to the health of your car.

Was driving westbound on Coral Way, heading into Coral Gables for lunch earlier this week when I heard and felt a loud thump (or two) against my car from falling, dry/rotted out branches that fell from a tree in the center meridian and struck the left side of my car. Got out at the first red light to inspect damage before heading over to a nearby local dealer to have them give a quick, general inspection of my car when they identified a dent in my driver door and a scoff mark further up near my front bumper.

Finally had a chance, today, to bring it to the authorized body repair shop that works with a different dealer (in Ft Lauderdale) I bought the car from and they noticed additional damage.

Total estimate: $ 18,000 !!!.......I prefer not to reveal the brand of the car, but let's just say it's not a Chevy Cruz.

Don't really care what the insurance carrier negotiates them down to as long as they agree to take care of all the damage and they designate it as a comprehensive claim (so my rates do not go up....act of nature, similar to golf ball size hail doing damage to a car--not collision, which would result in an increase).

Learned that FDOT, not the City of Miami, is responsible for Coral Way.....not my problem, but I would imagine they, too, will claim act of god meaning I won't see the insurance company subrogation process being too successful, if at all, and me getting my deductible back (least of my worries).

$18,000 to fix a dent and a scuff? Did you typo and mean $1,800?

[elchevere]

Nope...that was the initial estimate...Geico adjuster knocked another item (minor) not mentioned earlier off the list and got the repair down to “only” $13,200 and will pay for all of it. Cost of the paint alone, not including labor, was $3000.

Originally Posted by zorinlynx

$18,000 to fix a dent and a scuff? Did you typo and mean $1,800?

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by elchevere

Nope...that was the initial estimate...Geico adjuster knocked another item (minor) not mentioned earlier off the list and got the repair down to “only” $13,200 and will pay for all of it. Cost of the paint alone, not including labor, was $3000.

Yikes! It's spendy owning that Porsche!

[elchevere]

Nah...different brand from a country due South of Germany.

Probably could have been done cheaper at another repair shop, but I took it to the shop affiliated with the dealer I bought the car from in FtL and they also claim to be the only authorized repair shop in all of SoFla for my brand. Also helped that the Geico adjuster and the shop were familiar with one another and have a good working relationship. This was the second no fault accident I’ve had (other was a rental car) and Geico has had my back—very happy with them. No need to spend 3x with Pure or Chubb.

Right hand land on Coral Way for me from now on, away from the trees.