So yesterday I was taking my G to go skiing (no snow tires). Was raining in Seattle and Snowing up on the I-90 pass to the ski resort. 3/4 of the way to the mountain was when the snow was coming down pretty bad and pretty much covered the road and i was fishtailing (controlled) at 25-30mph. Well about 500 ft or so from the offramp to the parking lot, I got stuck in the snow and so someone with a push bar offered to get me a running start. I was back on my way but missed the exit because he pushed me a little too far. So i decided to find an exit and turn around. made it pretty much down the mountain on the other side and saw an over pass. Well when i made it up the top to turn left my car was sliding to make the turn but it didn't want to slide anymore (and I didn't want to hit the guardrail) so i turned it the other way to continue back down and it fishtailed and clipped the rail. Got out looked at the damage and then spent about 1 hr tyring to get out of the snow and over the pass to get back on I-90, finally some guys gave me a push. Will post pics in a bit.

I am wondering whether i should have my insurance pay for replacing the bumper (I need to make sure nothing else was damaged) or if i should cover it. Got a quote of about 1100.00 from Infiniti of Kirkland for just the bumper.

Has anyone used the Progressive Concierge service? I am wondering how well a paint they do. Also they guarantee the work but I am still a little shaky as making them final ruler on what is acceptable or not.

I need to see if my insurance premiums are gonna go up too. This is my first accident. Don't have anything on my record except for a warning.

Do you think that I should file a claim or pay out of pocket? i have a 500 deductible, but if there are problems underneath, price can escalate in the 2-4000's which i can't afford.

 

Here are the pics. This is the damage what i see:
Bumper- Scratches and holes
Driver side quarter panel - bent a little near the light, paint scratched off
Driverside light - plastic attachment broke
Passenfer side quarter panel - paint scratched off
Hood - twisted/shifted

What do you all think?

 

new bumper skin is ~300 MSRP

 

so you knew there was going to be snow and you took your g without winter tires or chains?

 

Sorry the 1100.00 includes
373.15 1front bumper
258.00 2 hrs labour
375.00 1 sublet
25.00 1 supplies
90.74 sales tax

No i am thinking of doing it myself. Also I have to replace the lights i want to get the newer version. not sure what to do.

 

True, but they said that chains were not required. I looked at the pictures and it wasn't snowing much ( although by time you get there things can/did change). The road was pretty much slush until i got within 500 ft of the ext. I was contemplating all day if I should or not and finally decided to do it ( not the best idea on my part but my G has been in the snow many times before, if you treat her nice, it has been ok.).

I have also looked for chains but in reading the posts, you shouldn't use them on the G. I guess I will need to finally give in to the winter tires.

 

Yesterday from about 10am on traction tires were required via the DOT website. All is clear now, but next time you might want to check this out before heading up to the pass. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/snoqualmie/
Hope everything gets sorted out for you, but next time I would just stay home especially with over 2 feet of snow accumulated in the pass in the last few days. Better than spending 1100 to fix your car.

 

if the rain is even looking sloppy anywhere in north america the g stays in the garage, soooo useless in the snow! and where the f do you put the ski's/snowboard?!!

 

I pulled down the rear seat and my skis slid right through. Everything fits. But I am wondering if I should just let my insurance take care of it or DIY.

I think since the plastic bracket to the light broke i should just buy the 06 ones. But I dunno if I can upgrade stuff through insurance. I think the damage of getting everything back to normal will be alot and I don't want to spend money on it.

I also need to get some other things fixed from when my car was transported up here. (small dent in the driver door, scratches etc.). They will be buffing out the scratches so I was trying to hold off until summer when it didn't rain as much, but now I can try and get everything done at once.

 

yeah, can get expensive quickly . . . get some estimates and you'll figure out if it's going to be much over the $500 deductable, I'm sure it will be. if so, thats why you pay the premiums every month right?

 

time to go aftermarket bumper!

 

Well I have Progressive and I am not sure if i should do the "Concierge" service (which they have been pushing really hard on), where they basically are in charge of everything and you just drop off your car and pick it up later. I am worried about the quality of this service. But they guarantee their work as long as you have the car. But then again, what's a guarantee nowadays. I am figuring that I will get a headache with them later on when I do see problems and they won't fix it.

If I don't use their service then I have to find my own body shop. I live up in the Everett Area and they have a repair in Lynnwood. Now I guess if they would use the body shop that Kirkland Infiniti uses then I wouldn't mind doing that. Is the body shop that Everett Nissan uses any good? I was gonna call the dealership to find out who they use up here.

 

This is why I miss my Subaru STI ! But I'm happy with my G overall... The damages could have been worse, and the best thing is that no one got hurt, the car can always get fixed, not you. With that being said, take advantage of it and upgrade, now is the time!

 

Wow...you are a genius. Everybody is being waaay too nice in here, but I guess I'll save it.

As for the car, you probably should just claim it, so you can have it back in pristine condition. I know I'd be really bugged by scratches and stuff like that.

 

dude. never bring the G to any mountain pass that has a probability of snow or ice. EVER