Damaged by the transport truck driver.. what can I do for now?

[kkkkdavid]

We shipped the truck as we moved to another state. But the truck driver damaged the truck during the transport. The driver’s company doesn’t want to use their insurance to cover the repair cost, and they only want to pay themselves.

I also asked them to pay both the repair cost and the diminished value from the third-party appraisal since it is almost a brand new car. But they told me they can only pay for the repair cost. Is there any suggestions to get this situation resolved?

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[mark555055c]

I'd drop it off at Tesla and get the repair cost and just have the trucking company pay it and move on.

There is no diminished value risk unless it was reported to insurance or police that it was in an accident.

If you are dead set on some extra payout, you are going to need to lawyer up. IMO, this is probably more trouble than it's worth.

Perhaps others here may have some other opinions or insight.

 

[Brandon708]

It wont have a clear title. I think it would have diminished value because of that.

 

[kkkkdavid]

I'd drop it off at Tesla and get the repair cost and just have the trucking company pay it and move on.

There is no diminished value risk unless it was reported to insurance that it was in an accident.

If you are dead set on some extra payout, you are going to need to lawyer up. IMO, this is probably more trouble than it's worth.

Perhaps others here may have some other opinions or insight.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[mark555055c]

It wont have a clear title. I think it would have diminished value because of that.

Nah, only if it is reported to insurance, police, or possibly if it is reported to a repair shop that it was accident related.

I would just be taking it to Tesla and say I need this fixed and to provide a quote, and nothing more.

 

[Noblelr3]

In California repair shops will report body damage to a certain extent and it will be attached to the truck. Check local rules and check with Tesla Collision to see how they handle.

 

[REM]

Do you have a written contract with them for the move? If so, can we read it?

 

[carsly]

i wouldn’t wait any longer, get a lawyer and at least have your attorney send a letter to get a paper trail going. Last thing you want is for a week to go by and then they will claim the damage was on you as you didn’t report it per your contract and did not file a claim with their insurance on delivery.

 

[CTInProcess]

Contact your insurance and have them deal with it.

 

[SCTesla]

Contact your insurance and have them deal with it.

This.

 

[nocyber]

California does not report body damage and mark up your title. In fact, body shops aren’t required to even report work done on your VIN unless you ask them to and usually that’s for net adds (I.e. PPF) vs net negatives like damage. Nationwide salvage titles work the same way, and the only way your title will be marked is if you get insurance involved or if the damage done to the vehicle is severe enough where the body shop needs to report to the DMV. This usually occurs in a total loss situation which of course by the pictures we aren’t talking about it.

If you want the least amount of hassle, you should have them fix it and pay out of pocket without insurance. That said, the damage incurred doesn’t appear to be bad enough to warrant any salvage titles so getting insurance involved may be a better idea if you’re worried about receiving additional compensation. Even if you force their insurance to pay for it, you are still entitled to your own policies payouts and your insurance company is required to write you a check. This is where I recommend you talking with an attorney because the insurance adjuster will call you to try and pay out the least amount your policy requires (or even $0 if they get you to say you don’t need anything because the other insurance company paid). Some of this depends on state and local limits but is relatively universal. I wouldn’t go down that later path though because you could get dinged and see higher rates by taking out what you rightfully deserve from your insurance so it’s a balancing act in this situation.

 

[gooshjkc]

Sorry for this, but I would demand if they don’t want to pay for the diminished value of the car they need to file a claim with their insurance company. If they agree, demand they also pay everything in front.

 

[Ray in montana]

I'd drop it off at Tesla and get the repair cost and just have the trucking company pay it and move on.

There is no diminished value risk unless it was reported to insurance or police that it was in an accident.

If you are dead set on some extra payout, you are going to need to lawyer up. IMO, this is probably more trouble than it's worth.

Perhaps others here may have some other opinions or insight.

That repair is not going to be cheap. I bet they try and weasel out of it if they do not want to use their insurance. That's a red flag. Turn it over to your insurance and just get it fixed. You should prob get some good legal advice. That entire rear panel needs to be replaced.

 

[Balthezor]

Yep. I wouldn't waste anymore time on this. Get the paper trail going. Talk to your lawyer to get that paper trail going or go to insurance. Worse thing that can happen is that he said/she said happens and they won't pay. Which means more lawyer fees.

They are being shady about this. Just like that guy who put his CT on Touro, the customer crashed it, and pleaded to not report it to police or insurance and pay it for himself. Shady.

 

[17hertz]

Don’t they by law have to report to insurance over certain damage and it’s their choice whether or not to use it?

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