How to get repair work done following an accident?

Topic: How to get repair work done following an accident? (Read 2452 times) previous topic - next topic

How to get repair work done following an accident?

June 25, 2020, 11:01:05 am

Involved in an accident yesterday 1,000 miles from home, resulting in significant damage.
Police had our new-to-us (48 hours!) '98 U295 towed to an impound lot. We're in a hotel room now in Little Rock, trying to figure out what to do next. Towing insurance (Allstate Motor Club) will want to tow it from the impound lot to the nearest repair facility. Any suggestions on convincing them it needs to go back to Nacogdoches (300 miles)? Pictures are here: Keyes Foretravel Accident - Google Photos
Thanks.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #1 – June 25, 2020, 11:19:19 am

I'd pay the difference in towing and have it back to FT since your only 300 miles away. My insurance is good for a 100 miles. Let me guess the pig pen car was at fault!

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #2 – June 25, 2020, 11:28:07 am

Might be an opertunity for headlight conversion paid by insurance. Someone on the forum had that done.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #3 – June 25, 2020, 11:28:50 am

Call XTreme and get their input. Send them pictures

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #4 – June 25, 2020, 11:32:11 am

Take it to Xtreme Paint and Graphics in Nacogdoches. You are not that far away.
(936) 560-5888

Sorry for your trauma. It can be fixed.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #5 – June 25, 2020, 11:41:51 am

I agree with Tim & R&S, Call Xtreme and send them the link to pictures.

Is there a reason it could not be taped up and driven back to Naco slow?

How was it towed to lot?

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #6 – June 25, 2020, 11:43:02 am

I would NOT move it any further than needed until you determine that it will not be totaled.

Indeed, send detailed pictures to both Xtreme and Foretravel to get an idea of that your options are. Hopefully, you will get answers before the insurance company gets too involved. If possible, you want for you to have the options, not the insurance company.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #7 – June 25, 2020, 12:18:24 pm

Agree with turbojack. (also with Brett) That looks drivable to me unless any of the drivetrain was damaged. If you have access to it start it and see if you can turn the steering wheel lock to lock. Slowly while watching for rub.

If unable to drive find a shop that can repair enough to make it drivable then head to Nac.

Good luck! Sorry this happened to you. I have a long story about being broke down in Little Rock. If we meet up somewhere down the road I'll tell you.

see ya
ken

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #8 – June 25, 2020, 12:48:42 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – June 25, 2020, 11:28:50 am

Call XTreme and get their input. Send them pictures

Have contacted Xtreme, sent them link to photos as well as our towing insurance plan. They were very helpful.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #9 – June 25, 2020, 12:51:56 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – June 25, 2020, 11:43:02 am

I would NOT move it any further than needed until you determine that it will not be totaled.

Indeed, send detailed pictures to both Xtreme and Foretravel to get an idea of that your options are. Hopefully, you will get answers before the insurance company gets too involved. If possible, you want for you to have the options, not the insurance company.

Yes, I don't want to move it until the insurance adjuster gets here, and when he does I want to be able to provide him with estimates from Xtreme.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #10 – June 25, 2020, 01:09:25 pm

As far as driving it down to Nac, here are our concerns. Driver-side headlights are completely gone. Drive-side mirror gone. Generator side compartment door gone. Genny inoperable so no A/C during these 90+ degree days. Front-end fiberglass cap separated from side wall, and pulled away from windshield. I don't think the tires rub anywhere but, how do I know if there was damage to the steering or suspension that I can't see? If I start driving and then discover a problem, then things have gone from bad to worse (and it's not going to happen in a good place either).

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #11 – June 25, 2020, 01:43:45 pm

Important. Assemble all the facts you can.

Foretravel is not constructed like most other coaches therefore needs specialist knowledge and parts to repair.

Cost of flatbed to Nacogdoches. I would not tow it wheels down that far.

Cost of repair at Nacogdoches vs local. If local is less don't show to insurance company

Make it clear that you want the coach to go to Nacogdoches. Let them know it will end up costing them more in time and aggravation (money) if they argue with you.

Call State Insurance Dept where you are and where the coach is insured (your full time domicile) to see what your rights are in law. Remember an informed consumer is not what insurance companys like.

Be nice to adjuster. Find out how much he knows about Foretravels. Have him call the factory in your presence if he has questions you can't answer. I would call them first to give them a heads up. He may use your opinion and knowledge in his determination.

Save the PIA attitude for the insurance company. Let them know subtly that you post on the internet.

Good luck.

Keith

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #12 – June 25, 2020, 01:47:33 pm

Just a heads up. I understand RV fog doctor in Searcy also does fiberglass and body work. With that being said the only work we have ever had done was at Xtreme.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #13 – June 25, 2020, 01:52:56 pm

My 1996 U295 36foot insurance books for $41,700 according to Nationwide

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #14 – June 25, 2020, 02:05:50 pm

Well sorry to hear about it. From the pictures it doesn't look like it wouldn't be drivable. I would use a couple rolls of 200 mph tape other notwise known as duct tape and tape everything up really good and drive it to nacogdoches. But of course the insurance adjuster may have something to say about that. Never had an insurance claim on my coach but I have had one on a sailboat. They sent a really nice guy who's only experienced was with cars. He knew nothing about boats I had a cheap insurance company because I was in the middle of doing work I was going to switch to a better company after I was finished in a year or so. That was my first mistake. My second mistake was listening to the company that was at the marina that started doing work without authorization from me or the insurance company. In the end it was a total loss and I had to give it up otherwise I'd be out sailing in the golf right now heading to Panama.
Good luck and I hope it works out okay for you guys.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #15 – June 25, 2020, 02:10:38 pm

Not fond of Little Rock either.
You are not far from the Fog Doctor and I know they gave us great service. I would give them a call and see what they can do for you! Sorry this happened to you.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #16 – June 25, 2020, 02:27:11 pm

You need to see if they will total it first. It is going to be close I think with the damage that you showed. I would only go to xtreme so get a quote from them and how to get it there if you can rig a mirror and attach the cap a bit. But if there is steering issues get it flat bed trailered. You are close enough to where the best place to fix these coaches are located.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #17 – June 25, 2020, 02:52:21 pm

Just found out that RV Fog Dr may be able to do this work. Has anyone had body work done by them? I'm asking because it would be far easier to get the coach to them than down to Nac.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #18 – June 25, 2020, 03:01:31 pm

Quote from: Dan Keyes – June 25, 2020, 11:01:05 am

Towing insurance (Allstate Motor Club) will want to tow it from the impound lot to the nearest repair facility. Any suggestions on convincing them it needs to go back to Nacogdoches (300 miles)? Pictures are here: Keyes Foretravel Accident - Google Photos
Thanks.

Yes. Hire a lawyer to represent you. You can be certain that Allstate will have a lawyer advising their claims adjuster. Now that you need to make a claim on your insurance, and it will be a complicated claim to be sure, the insurance company and its representatives are not your friend. Legal representation will be money well spent.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #19 – June 25, 2020, 03:09:30 pm

Most likely putting it on a flatbed trailer would put you over the 13 foot 6 inch height limit.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #20 – June 25, 2020, 04:27:38 pm

Quote from: Twig – June 25, 2020, 03:09:30 pm

Most likely putting it on a flatbed trailer would put you over the 13 foot 6 inch height limit.

....you mean 14' height limit

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #21 – June 25, 2020, 04:34:20 pm

Drop hitch lowboy should be legal.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #22 – June 25, 2020, 04:48:14 pm

I would only use a qualified Foretravel repair facility. You will look back and wished you had. Most of these places unfamiliar seem to over promise and underperformed.
I was rear-ended on I 20 in Georgia about 9 months ago by 18 wheeler.
With minimal work I drove my coach to Foretravel before talking with insurance company
(Easier to get forgiveness than permission)
I had no plans for anyone else to do repair, so when they called I told them where the coach was and they could send an adjuster to view it.
I told them I wanted it repaired by the factory. They were more than willing to accept FTs estimate and pay my travel expenses.
First thing is to get checked out if anyone was thrown around.
I hope you the very best with these negotiations.
Jerry

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #23 – June 25, 2020, 05:17:53 pm

Quote from: dans96u295ft – June 25, 2020, 11:19:19 am

I'd pay the difference in towing and have it back to FT since your only 300 miles away. My insurance is good for a 100 miles. Let me guess the pig pen car was at fault!

They said over on Facebook it was indeed that messy Infinity that hit them and was piloted by a gang member fleeing the police and tossing drugs and a gun out the window.

Re: How to get repair work done following an accident?

Reply #24 – June 25, 2020, 05:43:40 pm

Sadly we learned the "gang member" was only 20 year old. It's very sad that this is his life and prayers that he can one day turn it around.

Affiliate Notice