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C & C Collision to the Rescue

After a small accident, the insurance companies wanted to pay me a pittance and scrap my beautiful classic Beamer. What to do? I didn’t know what to do until I spoke to Nathan and Rett at C & C Collision

Article By CANDICE MERRILL
Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 | 1:18 PM

BMW before and after the repairs by C & C Collision

Some people buy a new car every few years; some hang onto their cars until they’re falling apart and others cherish their cars – handling them with kid gloves, maintaining them regularly, washing and waxing them lovingly and driving them, well, gently. My car is in the last category.

I drive a 1987 BMW 325. It has 72,500 miles on it. It did not have any dents (yes, I used the past tense), the interior was clean with no rips or tears. In general this car was in excellent condition. So you can imagine my utter horror when my driver’s door was smashed into and then the offender sideswiped the entire front side. It was an accident, pure and simple. The driver of the other car was fully insured (as was I) so I figured restoring the car would be no problem. Boy, was I wrong!

Long story short, after going to one of the insurance company’s recommended body shops I was told by the claims adjuster that my car would not be fixed. They would pay me a pittance and sell it for salvage. I was shocked to say the least. There was just body damage and a broken front strut. It seemed that the body shop would do nothing for me; they worked for the insurance company, and not me. The adjuster did, however, graciously offer to buy my car for a small amount above what the insurance company was offering. (I then knew where his priorities were)

My Heros! Rett Comer and Nathan Simmons

I went to my insurance company and asked them for their help. After all, I pay them for their protection, right? Not in this case. They sent one of their adjusters who gave me the same story. I felt cornered and angry. I was not going to let them salvage my car.

C & C Collision to the rescue! Nathan Simmons and Rett Comer started their business Custom and Classic Paint and Body in 1998. When they changed their name and expanded to a larger space in 2004, they set out to be the premier collision shop around “by investing in nothing but the best equipment, training, and materials,” Simmons says.

They deal with all insurance companies but are not beholding to any of them. You are their main concern. I got my car out of that other body shop, told my insurance company I would not accept their offer and that I wanted the car looked at by an independent appraiser. All of this was done, the car was labeled a “classic” but my insurance company still wanted to salvage it.

I was very discouraged and called Nathan at C & C to tell him I was taking the insurance company’s offer and that I would still have the car repaired at my own expense. He gave me a pep talk and told me that I was not to accept the offer and to tell the insurance company to go back and figure things again. In the meantime he got busy researching the value of my car on the internet, and generally doing legwork to provide proof of the value of my car.

Weeks went by and I was finally called and told they would fix my car! Nathan and his partner Rett had done the impossible; they helped me fight the insurance companies and win. Not all stories will have a happy ending. Some cars really should be salvaged, but if you have an older car that’s in great condition with only body damage don’t let the insurance companies push you around. Remember you have the right to go to any body shop you wish, you don’t have to go to one they recommend. An independent body shop will be more likely to work with you and be your advocate.

I, of course, highly recommend C & C Collision. The work they did was excellent down to matching the brand of tires. The paint has been expertly blended and there is no indication where the new paint starts and the original paint ends. It looks beautiful!

C & C Collision is located at 826 South Arroyo Parkway. For more information on their services or to get a quote to repair your car call (626) 795-4749 or log onto www.candccollision.com.

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