[Ragnaarok]

Hey, I am a claim n00b going through my first dealing with another guy's insurance. This has to do with the minor rear bump I got on Jan. 15

I am pursuing the claim through the insurance co. of the guy that hit me, and some guy is coming to appraise the damages this afternoon.

Question is, can I request all new parts, or do these guys like to argue to minimize the money paid out by the company they represent?

Main concern is the bumper beam/support, it would be nice to get a new one since it is 17 years old - but I could see him argue to bang the top part into shape and re-weld the bottom.

Second question, I should be cut a check by the company and use the money any way I see fit, not just to pay a body shop bill, correct?

Thanks for helpin' a bro out.

Note: I'll probably be looking for a rear bumper / beam. Got one? :wink:

 

[danielleb]

Hey, I am a claim n00b going through my first dealing with another guy's insurance. This has to do with the minor rear bump I got on Jan. 15

I am pursuing the claim through the insurance co. of the guy that hit me, and some guy is coming to appraise the damages this afternoon.

Question is, can I request all new parts, or do these guys like to argue to minimize the money paid out by the company they represent?

Main concern is the bumper beam/support, it would be nice to get a new one since it is 17 years old - but I could see him argue to bang the top part into shape and re-weld the bottom.

Second question, I should be cut a check by the company and use the money any way I see fit, not just to pay a body shop bill, correct?

Thanks for helpin' a bro out.

Note: I'll probably be looking for a rear bumper / beam. Got one? :wink:

Hey the insurance guys in canada try to minimize the cost to them as much as possible... if your wanting all new parts, you have to fight for them. the estimator usually says it just needs a new paint job, but dont fall for it especially if you have a lot of money invested in ur car and they're just wanting to do a shatty old paint job on top of it!.... have back up with you if you're kind of a push over... I had a claim and they said all it needs is a pint job... that was whenI first got my car and I didnt understand what was really going on, my dad was with me and told them off because I have put more money in on the bumper of the car than the claim was... they ended up fighting with my dad about it, but in the end they got the new bumper for me!.... they will try and minimize the costs as much as they can... just know what ur doign when you go into it, or else they will try and jipp you out as much as they can!

 

[tubafreak]

You should get a quote based on what it would cost for a local body shop to restore the car to it's prior condition. That's what they base their settlement on. When they pay you they'll most likely just give you a check, it's a lot easier than policing your spending, they really don't care, just as long as you don't sue anyone.

 

[JustAnotherRex]

I wouldn't even [screwdriver] with their claims guy, I would take it to three body shops in the area and get quotes, give that to them, then let their guy come out and try to lowball you. Insurance people try to bend you over a table as much as they can and then slide it in while writing a check.

My dad's a lawyer, and I've dealt with them before - you'd do good to fight tooth and nail, otherwise they will try to sodomize ya.

 

[Ragnaarok]

Thanks for the replies.

The guy just left, he's a general estimator, he doesn't work directly for the other guy's insurance. Anyway, he said I'll get the estimate tomorrow, so I guess I'll see what I'm in for.

Then I can argue my head off if it is a lowball number.

It was weird, the guy was more interested in getting me to come out to the local SCCA event area than the damage on the car. Wackos.

 

[JustAnotherRex]

Thanks for the replies.

The guy just left, he's a general estimator, he doesn't work directly for the other guy's insurance. Anyway, he said I'll get the estimate tomorrow, so I guess I'll see what I'm in for.

Then I can argue my head off if it is a lowball number.

It was weird, the guy was more interested in getting me to come out to the local SCCA event area than the damage on the car. Wackos.

LMAO. That's good and bad, if the dude likes SCCA that means he knows what autocross is, and may damn well know prices / what your car is worth. You might well be in really good hands then! Glad to hear it went well.

 

[Ti Rider]

I wouldn't even [screwdriver] with their claims guy, I would take it to three body shops in the area and get quotes, give that to them, then let their guy come out and try to lowball you. Insurance people try to bend you over a table as much as they can and then slide it in while writing a check.

My dad's a lawyer, and I've dealt with them before - you'd do good to fight tooth and nail, otherwise they will try to sodomize ya.

Good advice. Also make sure when you take it to shops that you specify genuine OEM Honda replacement parts in their estimates. The adjuster that came out is going to lowball you with cheaply made "like kind and quality" parts (don't forget that despite the fact he's "independent" he's still working for the insurance company. Think they'll hire him again if continually gives out huge estimates?). The "like kind and quality" parts look and fit like crap. The gaps will be huge and wavey. Most insurance companies want you to go to their "preferred bodyshops". The shop you use is your choice not their's. These preferred shops generally do cut rate work for insurance companies. They use cheap non OEM parts and do just enough to get the car out the door. At that point after battling with insurance company, waiting for you car to get out of the shop, they hope you're too sick and tired of dealing with it to put much of a fight because the body panels don't fit quite right. Most people don't care.

I know all this because I fought this same battle after I got in a fender bender. It took me six months of fighting with the girl that hit me insurance company. They finally fixed my car properly using genuine Honda parts because I think they were just sick of dealing with me. Sometimes you have to be a PITA.....