Dear Tom and Ray: I inadvertently backed into the right front fender of a friend’s rental car … a 2004 Kia Rio. It looked to me like about $200 of damage. Today the estimate arrived – $789.40 plus about $130 in “loss of use” and “diminished value” charges, for a grand total of $926.06. This for a car that currently retails for about $9,100. My question is, Does this estimate seem reasonable, or am I being called upon to single-handedly improve the bottom line of the rental company? And – since I am the perpetrator of this fender-bending, do I have any options other than paying? Can I insist that they get another estimate?
– Karen
Ray: Unfortunately, there’s no body work that costs $200 anymore. For $200 at a body shop, you can get an almost-invisible dent knocked out and your ashtrays cleaned.
Tom: In your case, I’m guessing you backed into the front quarter-panel. So to fix it, they have to smooth out the metal, prime it, paint it, sand it down and then apply a clear-coat finish. It’s pretty labor-intensive. And if you happened to put a little crack in the headlight lens, there’s another 200 bucks. So I’m not surprised that the estimate is for $800.
Ray: That said, you certainly don’t have to accept the rental company’s price. You can insist upon getting your own estimate from a body shop of your choice. And if your estimate comes in lower, you can negotiate with the rental company.
Alternatively, you can call your own insurance company and tell them you had an accident. Then THEY’LL negotiate with the rental company and settle with them – probably for about $200!
Tom: Of course, they’ll then jack up your rates for the next nine years, so you have to consider that too.
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Dear Tom and Ray: My dog does not ride in the car well. He salivates and sometimes foams at the mouth. On occasion, he will bark at something when his mouth is foamed up. The car’s interior then looks like the inside of a winter souvenir globe. He is a good dog, and we would like to take him on trips or around town. What can you offer as help?
– Gary
Ray: The poor guy is carsick, Gary. Dogs will salivate a lot like that when they’re nauseated. So actually, if all that’s been sprayed on the inside of your windshield so far is saliva, consider yourself very lucky!
Tom: We spoke with veterinarian Dr. Linda Siperstein about your case. She said if he’s a puppy, he might grow out of his carsickness.
But if he doesn’t, or if you’re not willing to keep cleaning your upholstery until he does, you should ask your own vet about anti-nausea medication for Rover.
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