Warranty - I got a Dent?!

[paphialex]

So I went out on Saturday night with some close friends to grab a few drinks at a local club.

I was so concerned about parking my car anywhere but my garage, but my buddy lives in a respectable complex which has their own car garage, so I felt pretty confident.

After a late night of "relaxing," I grabbed some food and chilled until I was alright to drive. Everything was fine and dandy, but the next morning I come down stairs and notice a dent on my driver side side panel (right above the wheel).

AHHH!

I have no clue how it got there, and there were no scratch marks, if I had to guess it looks like somebody was playing tennis and just swatted one into the car.

Does warranty cover this? I'm guessing not. Any suggestions, I've received quotes from a few people, but they are all saying it won't look 100% because of the placement of the dent. Not to mention they are quoting me $300.

What are my options?

[Mzodarg]

Warranty won't cover that, Insurance will. Looks like you need a new fender to me.

[Apex Paul]

I'm thinking there is no way on earth that a warranty covers that, because there was no failure of their product. That's an issue for your insurance agent.

[Grandeos]

Damage is not covered under warranty. Chalk it up to a "hit and run." I had the same thing happen to my driver-side rear wheel arch the first week I had it. Just like yours, right on the crease of the fender flare. Angered me to no end... but I was able to get it fixed by a paintless dent removal guy for $60. But since the damage is on the crease, you gotta see if it can be fixed easily. I'd shop around for more quotes before pulling the trigger. $300 seems steep if it can be popped back out. I dont see any broken paint.

[2010 SSRS]

Wow

[paphialex]

$60 sounds good, if I go through insurance don't I have to pay the deductible? Which in my case is going to be $500.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm in California, but all the dent removal places are expensive, I just got an updated quote from Dings Plus for $175. Of course there is that option to go with some random guy driving his car around saying he can remove dents....but something tells me not to take that kind of chance.

[mfr1950]

Only way warranty will cover this if it was done during shipping and unloading, Just have to bite the bullet and write out a check...

[DangerZL1]

The dent is easy to get to, but the crease makes it more challenging to achieve 100% removal and the black color is unforgiving. Worst case, pay for the dent removal, see how it looks and replace the fender if it doesn't look good. $175 is still about twice what it should cost.

I'd eat this one before contacting the insurance Co. Even replacing the fender shouldn't cost much more than your deductable. It isn't worth having a prior claim on file with them in case something else happens and you really need coverage.

[Rogue Leader]

$175 sounds about right for paintelss dent removal, I'd have it done at a local shop you trust. They can definitely get that out perfectly. The paint isn't even broken.

Whatever you do don't call your insurance company, they won't give you squat cause of your deductable and you don't want to add any incidents at fault or not to your record you don't have to.

[colemanvoice]

Originally Posted by paphialex

$60 sounds good, if I go through insurance don't I have to pay the deductible? Which in my case is going to be $500.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm in California, but all the dent removal places are expensive, I just got an updated quote from Dings Plus for $175. Of course there is that option to go with some random guy driving his car around saying he can remove dents....but something tells me not to take that kind of chance.

Don't let some guy driving around saying he removes dents touch your car. For all you know, he'll punch holes in the fender to pull the dent out. Not only will you have holes in the fender, but the dent wont be fixed either. I've heard of that happening.

Just do some research with what options you have, as you have been doing. Just dive deeper into it. How much is a new fender, painted? Do the dent guys have example photos (before and after) of what you may can expect...etc., etc., etc.

[rudack]

LOL!!!! I just drove my car into a pole. I wonder if warranty will cover it? Call the Dent Wizards they are pretty good!

[metaphysician]

No warranty claim here. And I wouldn't call your insurance comany either. A respected PDR (paintless dent removal) guy will be your best bet. I got really lucky with a dent on my fender right in the middle of a body line and PDR worked and was a fraction of what the body shop wanted.

[paphialex]

So this is where I'm at:

Ding's Plus - $175 says he can do 90% improvement...
CA Dent Works - $300 says he can make it look perfect
Another company says, because of the body line, it is impossible to get to 100%. :(


Considering the money invested into the car, 90% is just not going to cut it, I guess I need to take the chance with CA Dent works, I spoke to him on the phone and he sounds very confident, says I'm paying for the quality...I work in sales so I know BS when I hear it (it's what I do) and I have to admit I think I'm sold.

Sadly he won't be working until next week due to the holidays, so once completed Ill post up some pictures to let you guys know how it went.

Hoping for the best

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by paphialex

I come down stairs and notice a dent on my driver side side panel (right above the wheel).

Does warranty cover this?

That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time.