What now? (Rear end damage)

[dmaynes]

My kid rear ended the van pulling into the drive last night. The GW swing away tire armature shattered the hatch glass on impact and bent the hatch all up. GW bumper anchored itself into the rear body on DS. No observable frame issues. All straight and normal. Engine bay is fine. Test drive (post cleanup) was smooth and normal. Have hagerty, and already started the search for a hatch replacement. Some questions for those who’ve dealt with this:
- file a claim now? Wait and assess? Any sequencing and experiences with the process would be great to hear.
- can a restoration body shop fix the door and back body mess? If not, is a new(old) hatch door as elusive to find as it appears?
- any other thoughts welcome
Thanks

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87 Syncro Westfalia
89 Westfalia - Tiico (sold)

[Ahwahnee]

Hagerty is great to work with and (in my experience) stupidity is a covered peril (again, mine).

I would open a claim now and be guided by their instructions, confident that if unknowns arise they've got your back.

[Ahwahnee]

PS - maybe you don't want to show them photos taken in that tent structure. I think they'll be expecting the van to be in a locked garage and perhaps best not to open a can of worms about storage.

[tjet]

I would just get another hatch & massage out the LH rear side panel.

[dmaynes]

Thanks for the tip Awahnee. Good to know about the temp shelter.
Tjet - that was my initial thought, but seems like a hatch door is tough to source. Not much concerned about color match (although finding a flash silver metallic version would be ideal). But in general seems pretty limited for inventory out there. Can a body shop fix it? The proper way.
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87 Syncro Westfalia
89 Westfalia - Tiico (sold)

[DanHoug]

a new hatch and some bodywork will make that right without too much pain.

just remember to go easy on the kid. what you say now, your reaction, and ability to resolve this can be a teaching moment for the rest of their life or a wedge between you and them. everything is temporary. i sure made my share of mistakes and my father's reaction sticks with me more than than the damage.
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[outcaststudios]

[dmaynes]

[dmaynes]

[Xevin]

Interesting insurance situation. Does your kid live with you? Is he/she on his own policy? Does the kid own his car? I’m guessing the kid is not insured through Hagerty.
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Keep on Busin'

[Love My Westy]

Is the GW bumper bent? It must be to damage the body like that. How hard was the hit?

[hdenter]

I'm with LMW, that bumper doesn't look too bent up... If it's still fairly straight and it dug into the corner that deep, either the mounting bracket is hopefully bent or the frame rail it attaches to should get a closer look... good luck!

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

[do.dah]

Perhaps, just fer shits and giggles,, what about removing the hatch, give it to the kid, and send him to Votec bodyshop class to beat it back into shape? Then he can work on the rest of the body damage?
AND! You go to Votec body shop class with him to help and supervise?
He gets a skill, you get a fix, so much benefit for all parties involved.

Or, do high schools still have body shop/auto repair classes? Try that?

Seriously, is it a "show" vehicle? I understand the idea of having a little bit of cosmetic appeal, but, to what extent? A few dings and scrapes will likely give you an edge in heavy rush hr traffic. When ya wanna merge, do it in front of a mercades/bmw/audi. They Will avoid you..
NOT a Hyundai/Kia.

[dmaynes]

[dmaynes]

[dmaynes]

[Xevin]

My spouse and very good friends deal with insurance claims on a high level. Though it’s the injury side of auto claims. Some have worked on the collision side in years past. This is still a unique situation. If you have any questions you want me to ask or things you are curious about. Let me know.

I’m curious if Hagerty goes after your “everyday” insurance company to recoup any loss. Here’s the thing. You probably need to inform both insurance companies by their policy requirements. Also some states may require you to report it to the state Department of motor vehicles if the damage is over a certain amount. Like Oregon (Damage over $2500) Do people do this every accident. No. Your state may have different laws then others. Not trying to spook you. Just things to consider and research.
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Keep on Busin'

[0to60in6min]

I have a story to tell too...

Same OUCH ! ! ! - same color? ... 1990 tintop 3 knobs Syncro

Parked at Home Depot for shopping, about 3 weeks ago... When I got out and saw this... No note on windshield, Home Depot doesn't have video on that section. The insurance told us to bring it to a body shop for an estimate and send the pictures to them. Estimated from insurance about $2.5K. I went back to the body shop to get it fixed and the body shop said NO... the van is too old... So I have to look for another body shop... Well they don't know the van worth more than any 2015+ Japanese car.. ugggh ! ! !

Note: I'd think replacing the rear hatch will be easier and cheaper if you provide the hatch.

[space]

I thought most insurance companies cover the car, regardless of the driver?
ie the car insurance covers the driver, and his/her actions, as long as the car is insured and permission was given

Mine does
T
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82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs

[jlrftype7]

Maybe John's VW place in Vermont will have your good used Rear Hatch- He's been on the Classified Section recently with more ADs.

Contact info from one of his ADs. At least he's closer than the California suppliers to you since he's in Vermont....
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1585564
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto