A tree fell on my Volt Friday....poor car, it didn't deserve that! It's hit on all four sides, hood has a 2 foot dent, huge dents, etc. I've started the claim with my insurance company. I know my landlord at work where it happened has some coverage as well. Any advice on claims or repair? I plan to fix it at my dealer where I bought it, as I wouldn't trust any repair shop with my Volt. I read some interesting threads on cooling the battery while paint is heat treated, so it seems that there may be some unique aspects to repair.
I don't think "lucky" applies to this, but I'm surprised there wasn't more damage considering the size of the limb/tree that fell. Especially that the windshield (appears) fine.
Ouch! My dad had a tree fall on his truck last year. Came in at about $5k in damage.
If the dealer has a body shop, they should know exactly what needs to be done.
The car is drivable, no codes thrown. I called OnStar first, but then figured to try to drive it, and really can't find anything wrong other than lots of dents. It is surprising no glass broke, as it put 1-2 inch dents into the roof along both side rails, and hit about .5 inch from the windshield. As I look at it, it seems like everything on the car that you can see from the outside is a replaceable panel, but I'm not 100% sure on it. I'm guessing 5K too. It seems like the tree managed to dent/scratch almost every external surface.
Glad to hear confidence in the dealer's body shop.
On a serious note. Most panels should be easily replaceable. They're mostly "shells" that attach to the frame. The roof rails, however, i'm not so sure. I think those are actually part of the frame itself. Your body shop can determine for sure.
Although, i think you should, if you can, try to get it totaled. I've seen hail damage less than this that totals vehicles altogether.
1) Going back to a rental (ICE) car is going to be jarring.
It is OK to swear out loud. Twice. 3rd+ time just makes you look insensitive.
2) Since the Prius packed a decent size battery for years now, they fought the paint heat/bake fight for us.
Just make sure they know it has a big battery (the adjuster should write no-bake on the car in flourescent crayon).
3) Drive it around the block before you sign the final release. Listen for new sounds...
Coincidentally, the same shop that my dealer uses is also certified by State Farm (my insurer). This was essential for fixing a few issues with my Silverado. I've never had a need to have my Volt fixed, but the work on my truck was flawless (and I have a good eye for bodywork and paint flaws). Most important here was that it was a shop certified by my insurer.
Thanks for bit of confidence, I'm hoping she will be like new, as she was Thursday last week. I have State Farm, and they stated my dealer is certified/approved.
Dealers don't do bodywork. They farm it out. I'm not sure how your dealer is certified by State Farm. Did you mean that your dealer's body & paint partner is certified?
I suppose either way, a dealer won't likely do business with a shady repair shop so you should be okay.
Yeah, that's a scary pic. That's how I view all trees now :-/, a little more threatening than before. I heard from the collision center that there is a bit of a flood of claims because of the weather in Chicago on Friday, and that a claim team might be sent out to help.
Regarding the collision center, it's tied to the dealership, in the same building, and have the same name, so I think they are affiliated somehow. Stasek Chevrolet in Wheeling, IL.
Well, it's back, and good as new, after just about 4 weeks. They did a nice job from what I can see. I'm wondering if the hatch compression struts lost something while heated for painting, but that might just be my imagination, can't really tell.
I drove a 2014 Volt as a loaner...I like the SMS/text reply and read options.
So, anyone who has a tree fall on your car.....there is hope!
Great news -- they had it a l-o-n-g time. So glad you got a Volt for a loaner! Thanks for the update.
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