AbsolutHank
Enthusiast
Well, still can't believe it happened.
Its been three weeks, and things are finally settled with the insurance company so I feel comfortable going forward with this story. I was driving to a show at the Redskins facility a few Sunday mornings ago. I was driving safely and not much over the speed limit like I usually do in the mornings. I needed to get off onto an exit ramp from the DC Beltway, and I got hung up in a pack of cars. Like many of you I'm sure, I never let myself get boxed in, and when I do, I'm constantly checking the mirrors to find an "escape" should the need arise. The area is unfamiliar to me, and to make matters worse, it's a construction zone with walls right up against the lanes. I'm sort of stuck, but continue trying to merge over. I'm closely following an azzhole in an Expedition who has just cut in front of me. It all happens so quickly, even at "only" 65mph, and the Expedition unexpectedly darts back to the left to stay on the Beltway, and all I see is the wall dividing the Beltway and the exit ramp staring me right in the face! I cut the wheel to the left to avoid the barrier, but I was already too close to miss. I locked the brakes up and ran into the water barrels which line up to the wall facing oncoming traffic. The very right front of the car, and right wheel/suspension take the brunt of the impact.
No airbags deploy, I'm perfectly fine, and I'm able to get right out and start inspecting the scene and the car. I already have a sinking feeling that it's totaled, as I can see some damage to the footwell area, and of course the frame looks like it's leaning in towards the engine bay too far. With that said, I'm surprised at this point how "well" the car looks. It gets towed to a local lot (I'm out of state at this point) and a few days later it comes back to a local body shop I've used through the years. With just a few more pieces taken off the car for a closer inspection, we already know everything from here on out will be a formality.
When I installed my KWs and 3pc wheels last year, I called my insurance company to make sure things like that would be covered should something happen. I have read all about getting an agreed value policy, and while I looked into it, I never followed through. At that time, they assured me if they were on the car, they would be covered etc. Once it's officially totalled in insurance companies eyes (around $67k damage!), I begin talking with the Total Loss department. I ask them about my extra's, and as you can already assume, "they would take them into consideration," but reminded me "they were insuring a stock Viper, and I had been paying premiums on a stock Viper."
We get down to numbers, and I have to admit, they're first offer was surprisingly decent. I had already been in contact with a fella named Jon in the upper Northwest, and we were preparing to unleash hell. However, when I spoke to Jon the last time, we both agreed there wasn't going to be much wiggle room on their offer, and I thanked him for his advice and time, and told him I'd see what else I could on my own. I start preparing comps and 2006 Coupe values from KBB/NADA/eBay/Autotrader/CarGurus. We're going back and forth a few days, and we finally agree on a new price....about $5000 more than their first offer! I'm absolutely stunned, and even get reimbursed for 6% Sales Tax too!
Once we agree to that price, it's time to focus on my mods. Since they've only been insuring a stock Viper, they're getting a stock Viper back to tow to the junkyard. I run that by the Total Loss department, and they're cool with that. A crazy PM spree ensues, and I start trying to locate some stock wheels/tires/coilovers/diff etc from local members. I get a random PM responding to a thread I started in the New York region, and we chat on the phone about my predicament. Turns out, this member has all the parts I need, and is willing to drive halfway down to Maryland to help me out! He decides to take my 2008 hood on an even trade, so it only cost us both a morning of driving...talk about great members, and good luck!
Now, onto the good news! I'm currently getting a new RF coilover and wheel made to complete the set, and storing everything in my garage. I previously had a 2003 Vert, and had thought hard about jumping into a Gen IV when I bought this 2006 coupe. I decided to hang on to some cash and splurge on the next Viper, which would be a Gen V (that was a year and a half ago...I assumed I would like the Gen V!) But, I haven't quite saved up enough that I feel comfortable to get into a Gen V, so it looks like I might be into a Gen IV after all (or maybe another Gen III with a Paxton again)
I'll be down at VOI like I had planned, but will be riding shotgun with friends instead of driving. Losing the car *****, but missing out on the cool stuff at VOI really stings the most. I'll just use it as an oppurtunity to search out my next car/color combo, and to enjoy the people as much as the car.
Onto the pics....they start out so unassuming
Its been three weeks, and things are finally settled with the insurance company so I feel comfortable going forward with this story. I was driving to a show at the Redskins facility a few Sunday mornings ago. I was driving safely and not much over the speed limit like I usually do in the mornings. I needed to get off onto an exit ramp from the DC Beltway, and I got hung up in a pack of cars. Like many of you I'm sure, I never let myself get boxed in, and when I do, I'm constantly checking the mirrors to find an "escape" should the need arise. The area is unfamiliar to me, and to make matters worse, it's a construction zone with walls right up against the lanes. I'm sort of stuck, but continue trying to merge over. I'm closely following an azzhole in an Expedition who has just cut in front of me. It all happens so quickly, even at "only" 65mph, and the Expedition unexpectedly darts back to the left to stay on the Beltway, and all I see is the wall dividing the Beltway and the exit ramp staring me right in the face! I cut the wheel to the left to avoid the barrier, but I was already too close to miss. I locked the brakes up and ran into the water barrels which line up to the wall facing oncoming traffic. The very right front of the car, and right wheel/suspension take the brunt of the impact.
No airbags deploy, I'm perfectly fine, and I'm able to get right out and start inspecting the scene and the car. I already have a sinking feeling that it's totaled, as I can see some damage to the footwell area, and of course the frame looks like it's leaning in towards the engine bay too far. With that said, I'm surprised at this point how "well" the car looks. It gets towed to a local lot (I'm out of state at this point) and a few days later it comes back to a local body shop I've used through the years. With just a few more pieces taken off the car for a closer inspection, we already know everything from here on out will be a formality.
When I installed my KWs and 3pc wheels last year, I called my insurance company to make sure things like that would be covered should something happen. I have read all about getting an agreed value policy, and while I looked into it, I never followed through. At that time, they assured me if they were on the car, they would be covered etc. Once it's officially totalled in insurance companies eyes (around $67k damage!), I begin talking with the Total Loss department. I ask them about my extra's, and as you can already assume, "they would take them into consideration," but reminded me "they were insuring a stock Viper, and I had been paying premiums on a stock Viper."
We get down to numbers, and I have to admit, they're first offer was surprisingly decent. I had already been in contact with a fella named Jon in the upper Northwest, and we were preparing to unleash hell. However, when I spoke to Jon the last time, we both agreed there wasn't going to be much wiggle room on their offer, and I thanked him for his advice and time, and told him I'd see what else I could on my own. I start preparing comps and 2006 Coupe values from KBB/NADA/eBay/Autotrader/CarGurus. We're going back and forth a few days, and we finally agree on a new price....about $5000 more than their first offer! I'm absolutely stunned, and even get reimbursed for 6% Sales Tax too!
Once we agree to that price, it's time to focus on my mods. Since they've only been insuring a stock Viper, they're getting a stock Viper back to tow to the junkyard. I run that by the Total Loss department, and they're cool with that. A crazy PM spree ensues, and I start trying to locate some stock wheels/tires/coilovers/diff etc from local members. I get a random PM responding to a thread I started in the New York region, and we chat on the phone about my predicament. Turns out, this member has all the parts I need, and is willing to drive halfway down to Maryland to help me out! He decides to take my 2008 hood on an even trade, so it only cost us both a morning of driving...talk about great members, and good luck!
Now, onto the good news! I'm currently getting a new RF coilover and wheel made to complete the set, and storing everything in my garage. I previously had a 2003 Vert, and had thought hard about jumping into a Gen IV when I bought this 2006 coupe. I decided to hang on to some cash and splurge on the next Viper, which would be a Gen V (that was a year and a half ago...I assumed I would like the Gen V!) But, I haven't quite saved up enough that I feel comfortable to get into a Gen V, so it looks like I might be into a Gen IV after all (or maybe another Gen III with a Paxton again)
I'll be down at VOI like I had planned, but will be riding shotgun with friends instead of driving. Losing the car *****, but missing out on the cool stuff at VOI really stings the most. I'll just use it as an oppurtunity to search out my next car/color combo, and to enjoy the people as much as the car.
Onto the pics....they start out so unassuming
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