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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Rocks fell on my Challenge car

May 18, 2009 2:46 a.m. Pseudosport New Reader

While waiting for this years challenge my Miata has been parked in front of my apt near some ledges. Over the weekend I had taken the top off and placed it by my parking spot. At some point during the day a few rocks had fallen off the ledge and hit the hardtop and the car. It looks like one big rock hit the top and flipped it over onto some more rocks which scratched it and removed chucks. The rear window didn't break but it does have a nice deep grove in it. A few smaller rocks landed on the car too and damaged the windshield and made a few small dents. I took some pictures and was going to talk to the property manager tomorrow to see what we are going to do about the damage.

Before fixing the car I'd like to know what the challenge rules would be for making the repairs. My paint budget from last year is about $130. Since I would have to buy more paint and a windshield would I have to add that into my current budget? Also what if my Apartment's insurance covers the damage? I don't think it would really be fair to show up this year with perfect paint from a body shop.

Another thought, now that I have to do a bunch of work what if i just repaint the whole car? I'm also thinking about changing the color to something other then red. Any ideas?
May 18, 2009 8:34 a.m. Josh HalfDork

Um, for starters hows about you give me my car back:
May 18, 2009 9:40 a.m. Jake HalfDork

Challenge car or not, I'd try to get the apartment complex/ management company to fix it. Their property not being maintained caused your property to get damaged.

They may not see it that way, especially since it'll cost them money. There's probably some asinine rule in the tenant handbook that says "we're not responsible for anything, ever."
May 18, 2009 10:07 a.m. AngryCorvair Dork

I'd go through concours without the hardtop.
May 18, 2009 10:54 a.m. carguy123 Dork

I'd think that if the apartment complex fixed it then it would be free to the rules and you'd be good to go.

I'd contact them anyway, their insurance probably covers that type of thing.
May 18, 2009 2:33 p.m. fiat22turbo SuperDork

Yeah, let the complex's insurance pay for it and it will be legal in my mind.

If they won't pay for it, then get out the hammer, dolly, bondo and rustoleum. You'll need to source the windshield yourself and install it, which will be trickier than the body work.
May 18, 2009 7:25 p.m. Tommy Suddard SonDork

Josh wrote:

Um, for starters hows about you give me my car back:

Hey, I have those same wheels.
May 18, 2009 7:29 p.m. Dorsai New Reader

While I have no challenge experience whatsoever and no qualification for an opinion, this would seem to be something that is outside of the challenge process. If you can get the complex to handle it you are essentially back to where you started with the exception of the new windshield and whatever paint and body work gets done. It wasn't your fault, you weren't trying to scam it done.

I would add that I'd give you bonus points for being honest enough to ask in advance.
May 18, 2009 7:57 p.m. confuZion3 Dork

Ditto. If they pay for it, then you are not paying for it. Therefore, you are spending $0.00 more on the car than planned. Add $0.00 to whatever you spent and you should be good.

They should pay for it. Just be nice to them and be patient. There isn't anybody in that office that is out to screw you. They're all just doing their jobs--if the law says they need to pay for it, they'll gladly do it. Spending OPM (Other Peoples' Money) is an easy thing to do.
May 18, 2009 8:15 p.m. Nashco SuperDork

confuZion3 wrote:

They're all just doing their jobs--if the law says they need to pay for it, they'll gladly do it. Spending OPM (Other Peoples' Money) is an easy thing to do.

Wow, I wish I had that kind of optimism! In my experience, apartment complexes and insurance companies are RARELY "glad to do it" when it comes to shelling out cash.

Bryce
May 19, 2009 11:41 a.m. Pseudosport New Reader

Well I heard back from the complex manager. He was very nice about the whole thing and said they are going to cover the damage. This morning he had already made a few calls to have someone look at the car and get some quotes for the repairs. As for the falling rocks they knew it was a problem and had a crew out last week to survey the land to put up a retaining wall. They thought cars were far enough away from the ledges to be a problem but when I went out today they had blocked off the parking spaces near the rocks.

My only concern now is having a professional shop try and repair a challenge car. If they try and replace the windshield they will notice the bottom corners near the windshield have rust holes I just painted over. If they need to fix that to get the windshield to seal then they might have to remove the fenders which are held on by sheet metals screws. One fender has also been repaired by grafting a chunk of quarter panel from a 69 Camaro onto the bottom. I think it looks fine but good luck getting that to line up again. Also if they need to move it they would only have a bout 2-3 chances to get the car started and idling because I'm running a lawn mower battery and my Mega Squirt cold start settings are not the greatest. This should be interesting.
May 19, 2009 2:05 p.m. miatame2 New Reader

COME ON! I see "Rocks fell on my Challenge car" and thought, "HA! It is probably Greg's Miata", WTF?!?!?!

What's up with nature falling on your vehicles?!?!

That sucks a lot, I hope you get it fixed without issues.
May 20, 2009 12:00 a.m. Pseudosport New Reader

Yeah the Camaro and Jeep had branches fall on them so I park the Miata away from any trees and I end up with rocks. WTF!
May 20, 2009 12:49 p.m. m_walker26 New Reader

Yeah, My son drove my Challenge car over to the HIgh School car wash before the 2007 Challenge. Someone backed into the door. We didn't have to count the $125 settlement for the damage against the $2007.

Mark
May 22, 2009 8:58 a.m. GameboyRMH SuperDork

Jake wrote: There's probably some asinine rule in the tenant handbook that says "we're not responsible for anything, ever."

Yeah that's usually a standard part of any contract where anyone (other than the customer) could potentially take responsibility for anything...I hear insurance companies may have a few exceptions.
May 21, 2010 3:38 p.m. Pseudosport Reader

Just wanted to update this thread. Last year my insurance claim was denied after my apartment complex changed there story and said they had no prior knowledge that the ledge that gave way and fell on my car was a problem. Insurance company then said it was an act of god and not due to neglect and denied my claim which is crap since I have an email stating that the complex knew of the ledge being an issue since they took over the property back in 2008. Anyway after months of going back a forth I moved out and bought a house. House needed lots of work and was taking up a lot of my time but I finally got around to filing a small claim against the owners of the complex. Well today I heard back from the court and they decided in my favor. The apartment complex’s lawyer already called to congratulate me on the win and said they are ready to mail out a check. I ended up getting $2000.00 for the damages and $40 to cover court fees.

Now I’ve already fixed the windshield myself along with repainting the hood so I could enter last years challenge and pass MA inspection because I never thought I’d see any money. At least now I’ll have some extra $$ so I can finally patch up the hardtop.
May 21, 2010 4:10 p.m. oldtin Reader

Good work - you won a whole new challenge car and $30 for dinner.

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