Got my first quote today...

"conrader" (conrader) 10/31/2013 at 16:30 • Filed to: Wrecklopnik, Mustang Repair, Body Work, Insurance

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Over $7000..and I'd love advice from anyone willing to give it!

One of the things I've been worried about is the mechanical aspect of things. How is that taken into consideration with insurance? I noticed it was shifting harder into second gear and that the suspension was making some noise.

Also I'm worried about the company not using OEM parts, and I really am not interested in aftermarket replacement parts. I read Brian, the Life of's post, but I feel live I've been receiving mixed signals so much already and I haven't even talked to the other persons insurance company yet. The lady handling the claim on my side basically said that the other persons insurance will have shops they prefer to use and that I'm just wasting my time getting quotes from someone else. I've also been told to just go ahead and fax any quotes to the other persons insurance agent when I get their information! ARG!

Thirdly, what are my options when the quote comes in if I decide I don't want to repair the car? I'm leaning towards no. It's supposedly pretty close to where they might total it, but may decide not to. Thats a tough position to be in because I'm in limbo and don't know exactly how to think at this point. I'm also worried about diminished value if I were to get the car repaired. And quality of work, blah, blah, blah. Any advice would be amazing.

Xesty > conrader 10/31/2013 at 16:32

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Is that $7k out of your pocket or that the other guy's insurance will cover?

Nibbles > conrader 10/31/2013 at 16:37

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If the quote doesn't include suspension work or attention to the transmission, and you feel that they have been damaged as part of the incident, you need to bring this up. Have it re-checked and do your best to ensure the damage is written up as part of the incident. Your insurance isn't paying for it, theirs is. Use yours to get the most out of theirs. Also, the added suspension and drivetrain damage may shoot it over total cost.

On OEM parts: Most body shops that insurance companies deal with will look for used parts first. If none are available they'll look for the cheapest aftermarket components. After those two options are exhausted, they will then look at new OEM.

Nibbles > conrader 10/31/2013 at 16:41

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Also, this article may be of use to you.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > conrader 10/31/2013 at 16:43

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Yeah, repairs add up quick!

As far as doors, I imagine they'd have to be OEM. Mine wasn't quite as bed, they got way with just welding new outer shells on.

I think if you have the option to total it, it might be worth it. the past three people I've known to be presented that option, took it.

I would definitely get multiple quotes, from what I hear they can vary wildly around my area.

If you find more things wrong with the car, after having it fixed, you can always go for round 2 of claims. I ended up having to do this. For me it was a wheel bearing, the mechanic looked at it, to make sure it could be attributed to the accident and voila, the insurance company paid up.

POD > conrader 10/31/2013 at 16:45

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If you don't want to repair the car and it's not written off, then you should be able to receive a buyout option. Depending on your policy it'll be something like 80% of the quote, minus taxes and deductible. If you are going to go this route, then I would recommend getting additional quotes in writing and submit them. Particularly if the original quote only looked at cosmetic damage and did not consider mechanical damage. I just went through his on my cars for hail. If the car is financed, the cheque will have to go to the financing company if they have a lean on the vehicle.

jmgadget > conrader 10/31/2013 at 16:45

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You have the right to choose your body shop to get repairs done.

They can recommend and prefer certain ones, but you can also get your own preferred shop to do it.

Meatcoma > conrader 10/31/2013 at 16:50

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If they do total it out, before you accept the offer, make sure you can actually buy a comparable car for what they give you, if you can't then you make your adjuster aware of that and ask him to raise it to the level where you can. My father-in-law got 2k more out of his expedition because he proved(showed him examples locally) to the adjuster that 'HE' could not buy one for the amount the adjuster first offered.

Casper > conrader 10/31/2013 at 16:56

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Most states have provisions for you to take it to a shop you trust. Take it someone with a good reputation for a deep inspection. Then take their write up and compare it to that the insurance did. Complain if anything doesn't match and makes sense.

Once you have that sorted, start looking at the diminished value aspect. You can't really total the vehicle, so you have to fight to have the repairs done as correctly as possible. The only way they can fix the diminished value aspect is by paying you or paying off part of a loan that might be on the vehicle. Not much else they can do.

conrader > Xesty 10/31/2013 at 17:09

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That was me just going to see what my local guy would say. I haven't submitted anything yet.

conrader > Nibbles 10/31/2013 at 17:10

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Awesome, thank you.

conrader > Meatcoma 10/31/2013 at 17:11

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Ok, very good call. I'll pull up some comparable cars in the area. Thank you.

conrader > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 10/31/2013 at 17:12

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Good to know I could potentially make another claim if I go the repair route. I honestly think I'd prefer totaling it, I really don't want a wrecked car, as much as I have loved this car, and how much its taken care of me and my sanity over the years.

04sneaky - Boxers. Blowers. Bikes. And bitches. > jmgadget 10/31/2013 at 17:16

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In this situation most companies will only give you a check for what their shop will do it for and you have to fork the extra.

I've tried this twice and each time the other person's insurance company basically laughed and said they give me a check for what their recommended shop would do it for and otherwise I was SOL.

conrader > Casper 10/31/2013 at 17:19

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Ok good, this whole insurance thing sounds so final when they tell you something, and I'm sure its for their benefit in case people aren't doing their homework. But, I'm trying to get this all figured out. Thanks for your help

conrader > Nibbles 10/31/2013 at 17:20

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Ok, well thats good to know. I was told by one body shop today that the adjuster will probably just tell me, "tough shit" on the mechanical side, and will mostly look cosmetically. If thats the case, I'm going to have some major hell to raise. It might feel good to yell at an insurance company though, who knows...

conrader > POD 10/31/2013 at 17:21

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Ah, I was wondering if there would be a caveat like taking a reduced payment. Though, if I'd get a check and get to keep the car then I have a running driving V8 drivetrain to use in the future....interesting.

Casper > conrader 10/31/2013 at 17:26

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They do try to make it sound final... because they want complete agreement. I have had yelling matches with agents trying to push through to close the claim without doing what was needed. In one case our BMW was hit by an old guy in a parking lot. It wasn't serious damage, but our insurance company was State Farm and so was his. The agent tried to push it through on OUR policy because we had better coverage than he did. I blew a gasket and fought tooth and nail on it. The entire issue was that guys agent trying to save his guy money by putting the accident on our policy even though it was obviously his fault. He also had several other accident claims already and it was looking bad.

POD > conrader 10/31/2013 at 17:27

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It depends on the policy. I had neighbors whose cars were in the same hail storm. They got 100% minus tax and deductible. My policy stipulated 80%. If you can get the payout and use the drivetrain for a cool project with a health insurance payout build budget; that would be a pretty nice position to be in.

conrader > Casper 10/31/2013 at 17:39

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I'm glad we have different insurance companies then! My claims person keeps telling me I can go ahead and get repairs done on my policy, and I'm like.."You'd like that wouldn't you?"

I imagine with how out of it the guy that hit me was, his insurance agent won't be terribly surprised to hear from me. In a way I'm glad that I have the time to mentally prepare and get my stuff in order so I have firm ground to stand on.

conrader > POD 10/31/2013 at 17:41

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Intersting, I'm wondering since I'll be going through his insurance since he hit me, if I'd just be given the 100%. I'll have to check into that.

Casper > conrader 10/31/2013 at 17:48

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Your insurance maybe trying to make it easier on you by saying they will just cover the damage, then go after the other guys insurance to pay it back. On occasion, they can be good to work with. Just try to get them to spell out exactly what the plan is.

POD > conrader 10/31/2013 at 17:50

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Very good point. If you find out, let us know.

Nibbles > conrader 10/31/2013 at 17:50

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It does feel good! When some asshole kid shoved his Focus underneath a Silverado, which then bowtied (lol) the front of our old Ram, we raised absolute hell. It took them almost two months to complete the work because:

They couldn't find a suitable used grille, so we got them to buy new.
Couldn't source the bug visors, though since they were "oem" (dealer installed, probably) they had to be replaced.
Made them replace the oil cooler even though it was just "bent, not cracked"
Made them replace the trans cooler even though see above
Made them replace the AC Condenser because see above
Took it back in immediately afterward because the chrome on the (sourced used) front bumper was peeling

We tried to pin the trans failure on them because there was coolant in the transmission fluid (obvs from messing with the trans cooler without draining the radiator fully) but since the failure was more than 6 months (granted only 150 miles) from the initial repair, they stood on that one.

conrader > Nibbles 10/31/2013 at 18:03

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Holy balls, well I guess I'll start preparing myself for all the good stuff coming up. Thanks so much for your help!

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > conrader 10/31/2013 at 21:19

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Yeah, don't take my word for it, it could be different in your situation, your state, or with your ins. company, but for me it was possible, I don't see why for you it shouldn't be, but definitely ask, haha.

You could also use the money and start dreaming about what car you want!