About a week ago, someone backed into my Bug as it innocently sat in a parking lot. They crunched the driver's side headlight and came across my hood. There is no way they did not feel it, yet they drove off without leaving any information. Blah. When I saw the damage, I stood there in disbelief for a couple of minutes. It was drivable, so I just picked up the headlight pieces and headed for home.
Here is where the good surprises start. First, if there was ever a time for me to be without a car--it is now. I have very few obligations and am within walking distance of Meijers (similar to a Super Target for you non-Michiganders), a credit union, and the library. Plus, I have an awesome roommate who would let me borrow her car or take me somewhere. So the timing was as good as it gets.
Second, Allstate has been wonderful. I reported the claim on Friday. By Saturday morning at 10 AM, I had a check in hand for the damages and a list of places to take my car to get it fixed. If the charges are more than the check given to me---the fix-it place will bill Allstate directly. They waived my deductible, since I wasn't anywhere near my car when this happened. Everyone from my agent (Jim) to the estimate guy (Brian) to the customer service person (April) has been pleasant and helpful.
Third, Jack Keller Ford has also been awesome. I called Monday morning to get the Bug into them to be fixed and they ordered my parts immediately (not too many Bug parts kicking around a Ford dealership, ya know). Jerry gave me a call yesterday to let me know the parts were in and said they could start working on the Bug first thing this morning. Then he offered me their loaner car for free while the Bug was in their shop. I arrive at 8 AM to find they gave me a Pontiac G6. Wow.
I'm surprised at how quickly everything happened. The incident happened less than a week ago and the Bug is already in the shop. I'm very pleased. Maybe this is the way it is supposed to happen. Since I've never had to do this before, I was apprehensive about how it was all going to go. It was (almost) painless. I say almost because it was painful to look at my car in its damaged state. MY POOR BUG!
It also taught me that when you don't have outrageous expectations and things go well, you feel rather happy. An interesting concept for me to learn. Just go with it. When things go well--it's all bonus.
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