Cabinet fell off garage wall & cracked carbon fiber insert

ZL1GirlTX · 01-03-2025, 06:13 PM

Hi Guys!

I have a 2020 ZL-1, black, and I LOVE MY CAR. Here's the bad news....

My beast got hurt on New Year's Day, what a way to ring in 2025. I was sitting in the garage and all-of-a-sudden, I hear this huge noise. It's the cabinet that's been a part of my garage since forever - it just decided to come off of the wall and fell straight forward onto MY HOOD. OUCH. I don't think I've cried that much in years. It's quite superficial but I'm a perfectionist and don't like any marks on my baby. I love my ZL-1!! So now, what to do? I have a question - should i file an insurance claim to get my carbon fiber insert of my hood replaced, or can it be repaired? Photos to come. I will add them to my post after I take pics. The crack is JUST above the ZL-1 emblem on the carbon fiber insert, and it is about 1.5" long and no gaping holes but you can clearly see the crack or dent. I say crack because it's not dented.... The front portion of the hood also got scraped from the cabinet. I was soo pissed off that nomatter what the (*&^ was in that cabinet I threw it all in the TRASH. So I need a couple minor dents on hood fixed, then there's the front fender portion repainted, got scraped up pretty bad from that dreadful cabinet so i'm quite certain that needs it as well. I browsed hood inserts but don't know what I'm looking for. The prices are around $1500 & up. So if I file with insurance, deductible is $1,000 - should I leave the car in garage until I file the claim? I have the cabinet in the dumpster and didn't let the garbage pick it up today in case I needed evidence for the adjuster. OR do I just go at it on my own and see where the chips fall??

What am I looking at? What do you recommend? I've been a member of this forum for a long time but have been a silent reader/viewer.

I need your help, guys, and I respect and trust your opinions and judgement! I have the carbon flash paint on the insert (black with gold flecks). HELP!

NovaSS4spdFan · 01-03-2025, 06:33 PM

Insurance is to use, but any insurance covered repairs will show up on a Carfax report should you decide to sell or trade in. That'll reduce the value of the car. You have a special, future collectable so proceed accordingly.

kropscamaro16 · 01-03-2025, 06:58 PM

just buy a new one or get it painted if you dont care about the cf part its the easiest way

triggerjerk · 01-03-2025, 08:31 PM

Don't file a claim. Your insurance will go up and in the long it is cheaper to buy an insert out of pocket. And like others have said it will cloud the history of the car.
I can't tell from the filters you have on your pics whether it is exposed cf or painted.
Here they are:

https://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/g...-84243750.html

https://www.gmwholesaledirect.com/oe...uQCiVJS-NpChSz

Justcruising · 01-03-2025, 10:08 PM

There is someone in the for sale section that is actually selling a carbon insert for the ZL1 right now.

arpad_m · 01-03-2025, 10:24 PM

I concur with the opinion not to go through insurance. Just buy a replacement insert and install it and you will buy once, cry once instead of suffering a longer term rate increase and a blemish on the car's history.

ChibbMD · 01-03-2025, 10:35 PM

If the hood itself (not the cf insert) has some dents that aren't crazy and the paint isn't damaged, I highly recommend PDR (paintless dent removal). It's not crazy expensive depending on number and severity of dents.

ZL1GirlTX · 01-03-2025, 10:57 PM

OK So I'm NOT going to file a claim. That makes sense!

I will look in the for sale section for that insert someone mentioned, and the PDR where do I find that? The dents are negligible but like I said I'm a perfectionist with my beast...

And the cf insert is painted, not matte, if that's what you were asking... it's that gold flecked black gloss paint, i think someone called it carbon splash but I might be wrong on that.

I appreciate all of your responses, thank you!!

arpad_m · 01-03-2025, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1GirlTX

OK So I'm NOT going to file a claim. That makes sense!

I will look in the for sale section for that insert someone mentioned, and the PDR where do I find that? The dents are negligible but like I said I'm a perfectionist with my beast...

And the cf insert is painted, not matte, if that's what you were asking... it's that gold flecked black gloss paint, i think someone called it carbon splash but I might be wrong on that.

I appreciate all of your responses, thank you!!

Here is the sale thread: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=631430

Actually, this is your chance to upgrade your painted insert to a flawless exposed carbon fiber one. Painted inserts are also carbon fiber, but many had factory imperfections in the weave, hence the mosaic black metallic paint on them.

Good luck

Camfab · 01-04-2025, 01:26 AM

In general I tend to agree with everyone’s thoughts, however……..
This is most likely a homeowners claim and not an auto insurance claim, so I’m not certain it’ll end up on a car fax. I’d talk to your homeowners agent. They are usually upfront and tell you if you should file or not. I say this because many years ago my four post lift malfunctioned and crushed my Jeep.
Beautiful car and while you’re at it, make sure any other cabinets are secure!

Megahurtz · 01-04-2025, 08:03 AM

Sometimes homeowners insurance will cover it. But it's most likely a better option to just pay out of pocket to fix it.

dreksnot · 01-04-2025, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Here is the sale thread: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=631430

Actually, this is your chance to upgrade your painted insert to a flawless exposed carbon fiber one. Painted inserts are also carbon fiber, but many had factory imperfections in the weave, hence the mosaic black metallic paint on them.

Good luck

Bite the bullet, get that CF (as an upgrade), install it yourself and/or have a friend help you, MOVE that cabinet mounting location, return to enjoying the car and no fret dealing with paperwork/forms/phone calls/copays or deductibles/the hassle with insurance or body shops. Keep it simple, just saying

RobZL1 · 01-04-2025, 11:43 AM

That's a good deal for the CF insert. I'd go ahead and buy it. Then you can google PDR (paintless dent repair) in your area and see what can be done to fix the hood and fender. You may be able to get the dents popped and then only need to buff it out depending on how bad it is.

clg82 · 01-04-2025, 03:42 PM

I'd go with the one that is in the for sale section as well, looks better also imo. Not hard to install yourself in the garage just be careful there is a lot of 3m industrial tape at the top you'll need to use a heat gun on carefully. Where at in Tx? I'm in the Fort Worth area. Also welcome to the forums.

01-03-2025, 06:13 PM	#1
ZL1GirlTX Drives: 2020 Camaro ZL-1 Join Date: Jul 2024 Location: Texas Posts: 2	Cabinet fell off garage wall & cracked carbon fiber insert Hi Guys! I have a 2020 ZL-1, black, and I LOVE MY CAR. Here's the bad news.... My beast got hurt on New Year's Day, what a way to ring in 2025. I was sitting in the garage and all-of-a-sudden, I hear this huge noise. It's the cabinet that's been a part of my garage since forever - it just decided to come off of the wall and fell straight forward onto MY HOOD. OUCH. I don't think I've cried that much in years. It's quite superficial but I'm a perfectionist and don't like any marks on my baby. I love my ZL-1!! So now, what to do? I have a question - should i file an insurance claim to get my carbon fiber insert of my hood replaced, or can it be repaired? Photos to come. I will add them to my post after I take pics. The crack is JUST above the ZL-1 emblem on the carbon fiber insert, and it is about 1.5" long and no gaping holes but you can clearly see the crack or dent. I say crack because it's not dented.... The front portion of the hood also got scraped from the cabinet. I was soo pissed off that nomatter what the (*&^ was in that cabinet I threw it all in the TRASH. So I need a couple minor dents on hood fixed, then there's the front fender portion repainted, got scraped up pretty bad from that dreadful cabinet so i'm quite certain that needs it as well. I browsed hood inserts but don't know what I'm looking for. The prices are around $1500 & up. So if I file with insurance, deductible is $1,000 - should I leave the car in garage until I file the claim? I have the cabinet in the dumpster and didn't let the garbage pick it up today in case I needed evidence for the adjuster. OR do I just go at it on my own and see where the chips fall?? What am I looking at? What do you recommend? I've been a member of this forum for a long time but have been a silent reader/viewer. I need your help, guys, and I respect and trust your opinions and judgement! I have the carbon flash paint on the insert (black with gold flecks). HELP! Attached Images

01-03-2025, 06:58 PM	#3
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 10,134	just buy a new one or get it painted if you dont care about the cf part its the easiest way __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

01-03-2025, 10:08 PM	#5
Justcruising Drives: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS A10 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Hampton Va. Posts: 556	There is someone in the for sale section that is actually selling a carbon insert for the ZL1 right now. __________________ 2019 Camaro 2SS A10 Procharged, Flexfuel, with Stainless Works headers back to Legend series mufflers.

01-03-2025, 10:24 PM	#6
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 13,429 View My Garage	I concur with the opinion not to go through insurance. Just buy a replacement insert and install it and you will buy once, cry once instead of suffering a longer term rate increase and a blemish on the car's history. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle Terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

01-03-2025, 10:57 PM	#8
ZL1GirlTX Drives: 2020 Camaro ZL-1 Join Date: Jul 2024 Location: Texas Posts: 2	thanks for all the awesome input! OK So I'm NOT going to file a claim. That makes sense! I will look in the for sale section for that insert someone mentioned, and the PDR where do I find that? The dents are negligible but like I said I'm a perfectionist with my beast... And the cf insert is painted, not matte, if that's what you were asking... it's that gold flecked black gloss paint, i think someone called it carbon splash but I might be wrong on that. I appreciate all of your responses, thank you!!

01-03-2025, 06:33 PM	#2
NovaSS4spdFan Drives: 2024 2SS vert w/M6 & Dual Mode. Red Join Date: May 2023 Location: NJ Posts: 236	Insurance is to use, but any insurance covered repairs will show up on a Carfax report should you decide to sell or trade in. That'll reduce the value of the car. You have a special, future collectable so proceed accordingly.

01-03-2025, 08:31 PM	#4
triggerjerk Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: USA Posts: 434	Don't file a claim. Your insurance will go up and in the long it is cheaper to buy an insert out of pocket. And like others have said it will cloud the history of the car. I can't tell from the filters you have on your pics whether it is exposed cf or painted. Here they are: https://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/g...-84243750.html https://www.gmwholesaledirect.com/oe...uQCiVJS-NpChSz

01-03-2025, 10:35 PM	#7
ChibbMD Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 156	If the hood itself (not the cf insert) has some dents that aren't crazy and the paint isn't damaged, I highly recommend PDR (paintless dent removal). It's not crazy expensive depending on number and severity of dents.

01-04-2025, 01:26 AM	#10
Camfab Drives: ‘23 ZL1-1LE Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: SoCal Posts: 470	In general I tend to agree with everyone’s thoughts, however…….. This is most likely a homeowners claim and not an auto insurance claim, so I’m not certain it’ll end up on a car fax. I’d talk to your homeowners agent. They are usually upfront and tell you if you should file or not. I say this because many years ago my four post lift malfunctioned and crushed my Jeep. Beautiful car and while you’re at it, make sure any other cabinets are secure!

01-04-2025, 08:03 AM	#11
Megahurtz Snackbar Tuning Drives: 2023 SGM ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 1,517	Sometimes homeowners insurance will cover it. But it's most likely a better option to just pay out of pocket to fix it. __________________ GM Gen V Calibrator

01-04-2025, 11:43 AM	#13
RobZL1 fo'shizZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ATL Posts: 1,835	That's a good deal for the CF insert. I'd go ahead and buy it. Then you can google PDR (paintless dent repair) in your area and see what can be done to fix the hood and fender. You may be able to get the dents popped and then only need to buff it out depending on how bad it is. __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Black \| Maggie 2650 // 103TB // Big Gulp // CSP LT's & Ultra Cats // BMR MM // BC Forged KL13 Mods being installed- oil pump, cam, ported heads, dual in-tank, Goliath and XDI, corn, etc., etc.

01-04-2025, 03:42 PM	#14
clg82 Banned Drives: 2020 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Texas Posts: 1,724	I'd go with the one that is in the for sale section as well, looks better also imo. Not hard to install yourself in the garage just be careful there is a lot of 3m industrial tape at the top you'll need to use a heat gun on carefully. Where at in Tx? I'm in the Fort Worth area. Also welcome to the forums.

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