Deer Accident

Well after almost exactly 2 years and 34K miles I had my first oops with the Model 3.

10/17/20 Deer Accident – Early morning, rural area, deer hunters about, I should have been more cautious, had police report.  Deer hit pas corner and flew over car and over my wife and daughter’s head in back seat(glass roof)– Made Tesla service appointment on app.  Called Insurance company hot line.

10/20/20 Insurance appraisal at home –Appraiser commented not much damage for killing a deer at 60 mph.  He also mentioned that Tesla replacement parts are cheaper that other companies since there is no middle man taking a cut.  Several calls with Insurance corporate office included comment that they were mailing a check today.  Questioned why a check since body shop had not seen car and had not created a final estimate.  It’s the way it is done……..

10/21/20 appraisal $4,400 received via email – Tesla service station emailed to say work direct with Fetzner collision the only authorized shop in these parts.  Emailed with Fetzner and after reviewing picture they estimated $7K but same $2,500 for parts, labor was the difference.  Fetzner ordered parts.

10/24/20 Insurance check received $3,900(less deductible) and deposited

11/02/20 Found out with Covid that rental car pricing is much higher.  Fetzner suggested using Enterprise since they are close to their location so no Uber or family member drop off.  But insurance only covers $20/day and going rates are more like $60!

11/03/20 Dropped Tesla off at Fetzner in Rochester/Greece NY – They stripped down car and ordered a few extra parts.

11/11/20  Update given- Completion delayed due to two small frame pieces needed replacement, wait on parts.

11/12/20 Fetzner emailed with several legal forms to sign allowing them to drive my car and have full access.  Handled electronically using DocuSign.

11/20/20 Picked up car from Fetzner – Final cost $8,900, I paid the original check amount plus deducible and Fetzner received balance from insurance.  I had to sign a ADP2 form and so did Fetzner.  I sent in a MV-104 form to DMV.

New hood, front(bumper & 3 sensors), pas fender, pas headlight, parking light and a few brackets totaling almost $4k in parts. Labor was split about equal between body, paint and mechanical.  The main battery was disconnected, firmware re-flashed and sensors/camera re-calibrated.

Car looks new and even better than new as paint looks richer/deeper.  Fetzner agreed and said the Tesla factory paint is a bit thin.  So even though the accident was confined to just around the pas headlight the total front of my car was painted  Both fenders, hood, bumper new paint and front doors blended.  Fetzner was even able to handle the NYS Inspection that was due this month.

I hope this helps others understand the Tesla Body Shop process in western NY.

‍