Looking for advice on car damaged during transport

[cjmspartans]

Hi there,
I thought there would be no better forum to come to than here for talking about my 1968 Chrysler Newport. Sadly, the first post isn't going to be the happiest of posts lol. So, I moved from California's Central Coast to Denver, CO, and I figured it would be easier to have it transported. So we got some quotes, and I was able to get it shipped for $1050.

Today it got delived, and was absolutely filthy. Covered in dirt and various oils. I was an idiot and didn't closely inspect it, and just chatted with the transport guy. Overall, the car is fine... exactly as it was before the move. The issue, however, is that they managed to scrape something on the bodyline where the windshield meets the roof. It bent the metal back, and scraped off some paint in the center of the car.

So I have two questions:
1. What would you guys recommend I do? I tried calling the guy about 30 minutes ago, and his wife answered saying he was unavailable but he'll call me back. Should I go to the broker instead?
2. What would you all expect a repair of this nature to cost? I know that there are many variables involved, and I'll probably have to take it in for a few quotes whether they pay for the damage or if I have to. Ideally, I'd prefer that I didn't pay for it and they own up to it.

Thanks for any input!

Some pictures:

A picture from late 2017. I have a few but these are the only pictures I have, unfortunately.:

And how it arrived, before I washed it about an hour ago:

 

[Newport 66]

Transport insurance?

 

[cjmspartans]

Transport insurance?

I didn't deal with getting the quotes or anything for this -- a family member did as I was working all day at the time. I'm trying to figure out if the insurance was purchased but it may take a day for me to figure that out. I want to say that it wasn't but I'm not positive.

 

[JC68vert300]

Was this an open transport? Did you use a charge card? Maybe you can stop payment.

 

[cjmspartans]

Was this an open transport? Did you use a charge card? Maybe you can stop payment.

Cash, unfortunately. From how it sounds, I'm out of luck. The car needs body work anyhow so this will probably be piled onto that lol

Edit: I forgot to mention, it is an open transport.

 

[Little Pete]

I can feel your pain. I had a similar experience once but not as bad. They put my car in the open transport on the bottom. Some POS Ford Explorer above it leaked oil/tranny fluid all over it.

That problem was never resolved because when it arrived I had to sign the paperwork to accept the transport and like an idiot I signed.

Hope it works out for you. Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

 

[cjmspartans]

I can feel your pain. I had a similar experience once but not as bad. They put my car in the open transport on the bottom. Some POS Ford Explorer above it leaked oil/tranny fluid all over it.

That problem was never resolved because when it arrived I had to sign the paperwork to accept the transport and like an idiot I signed.

Hope it works out for you. Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

Exactly what happened here. He just dropped it and I signed without looking close enough. Oil was all over it, but dish soap got it off (for the most part) and I'm going to run a clay bar over it then wax it to preserve what I have left. What upsets me is I probably won't be able to repair this in a timely fashion... likely upward of over a year.

What I found from the paperwork signed from the broker is that all of their carriers are insured. So, a phone call is going to be made to see if we can't get this resolved.

 

[Wildbunch02]

Hello, I used to be a car hauler in the mid 90's, first as a Teamster driving for Leaseway Motor Car delivering new vehicles, and later for private companies. I think you need to contact the broker immediately. The driver will be hard to track down, and since you probably had to pay him before he dropped skids, and then sign a release, he probably is going to deny its his damage.
The broker on the other hand is concerned about his reputation, and he might be able to twist the arm of the car hauler by holding back on future freight. A broker doesn't want any negative reviews.
The other thing I would mention is auto manufactures would not be able to sell a vehicle with roof damage because the structural integrity of the car might be compromised, and they could be held liable if the vehicle where involved in an accident and the roof failed.
Those damaged vehicles where usually donated to school districts and vocational schools with auto shops for learning purposes.
Im not trying to scare you, but make sure to get estimates from a qualified collision shop, you need to have that repaired correctly.
Best of Luck

 

[cjmspartans]

Hello, I used to be a car hauler in the mid 90's, first as a Teamster driving for Leaseway Motor Car delivering new vehicles, and later for private companies. I think you need to contact the broker immediately. The driver will be hard to track down, and since you probably had to pay him before he dropped skids, and then sign a release, he probably is going to deny its his damage.
The broker on the other hand is concerned about his reputation, and he might be able to twist the arm of the car hauler by holding back on future freight. A broker doesn't want any negative reviews.
The other thing I would mention is auto manufactures would not be able to sell a vehicle with roof damage because the structural integrity of the car might be compromised, and they could be held liable if the vehicle where involved in an accident and the roof failed.
Those damaged vehicles where usually donated to school districts and vocational schools with auto shops for learning purposes.
Im not trying to scare you, but make sure to get estimates from a qualified collision shop, you need to have that repaired correctly.
Best of Luck

Awesome response! Thank you so much. I read the paperwork that was signed with the broker and it mentioned that everyone they use is insured. We'll be on the phone tomorrow with them and try to reach some kind of resolution. It's a shame, really. I love this car, but being a college student at the moment I can't pour money into it like I'd want to

 

[detmatt]

I’d be pissed!

 

[imperigal]

Sorry to see that happened!! The damage looks like your car was stored on the bottom of an open auto transport, with another vehicle directly above it....but TOO close above it. When the transport hit a large dip or bump in the road, a rail or bolt on the trailer would contact your car, scratching the paint (and on the really big bumps/dip), scraping it so hard it dented the metal). Definitely contact the broker. This is not the kind of damage YOU would do....this is demonstrative of being on an improperly loaded trailer for many miles.

 

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

Too bad that you signed off without the damage note. Anything that gets shipped to me is inspected and poor/damaged packaging is opened and inspected before I sign off with a note to damage if any.
Then the process starts, but without a notation... Good Luck!

(edit) Kind of funny though, don't see the damage in your pre-wash picture? Whats up with that?

 

[cjmspartans]

Sorry to see that happened!! The damage looks like your car was stored on the bottom of an open auto transport, with another vehicle directly above it....but TOO close above it. When the transport hit a large dip or bump in the road, a rail or bolt on the trailer would contact your car, scratching the paint (and on the really big bumps/dip), scraping it so hard it dented the metal). Definitely contact the broker. This is not the kind of damage YOU would do....this is demonstrative of being on an improperly loaded trailer for many miles.

Do you think if I took it to a auto body shop, they would come to the same conclusion? If I could get a shop to put that into writing, it would help.

Too bad that you signed off without the damage note. Anything that gets shipped to me is inspected and poor/damaged packaging is opened and inspected before I sign off with a note to damage if any.
Then the process starts, but without a notation... Good Luck!

(edit) Kind of funny though, don't see the damage in your pre-wash picture? Whats up with that?

View attachment 196766

The image seems to have been compressed. Its evident in the original lol

 

[imperigal]

Do you think if I took it to a auto body shop, they would come to the same conclusion? If I could get a shop to put that into writing, it would help.


The image seems to have been compressed. Its evident in the original lol

It would be worth a try! To me it looks like a LOT of force was required to make those marks and indentations....and that it happened repetitively over time. Yes the motion was limited enough to not break the glass or puncture the metal. Good luck!

 

[Wildbunch02]

That damage looks like it was caused by the car hauler operating the deck above and in front it. He was probably sliding that deck back while looking fwd trying to clear something else in the front of the car on that deck. His attention was diverted, its unfortunate , but it does happen.
I'm sure it can repaired, you just want the right people doing it.

 

[live4theking]

Wow, a real shame for sure. I hope t works out for you.

 

[cjmspartans]

I contacted the broker and he said he's sending me the carriers insurance information to file a claim. He said he's been doing this a really long time and the question will be what happened in the 7 hours between it was dropped off and I called the carrier regarding the damage. So, I hope this works out.

 

[rapidtrans]

Let's hope the driver steps-up.

 

[cjmspartans]

Let's hope the driver steps-up.

Hopefully he does. He seemed like a nice guy, but of course people can be incredibly fake.

On another note, lets say my insurance doesn't cover it. Does anyone here do body work who could give me a ballpark idea of what I may be looking at as far as damage? I'm not sure how difficult or expensive it is to straighten out metal. Part of me is teetering on whether or not I should just sell the car since it's turning into a very expensive project.

 

[MarPar]

Another thing to consider...if his insurance gives you a hard time, you could call your insurance and explain what all happened and then they will sue (subrogate) his insurance for the damage. You would be on the hook for your deductible until they settle though.

edit: I wouldn't see why your insurance wouldnt cover it.