My car got smacked. Insurance BS... guess I was never aware of what goes on behind the scenes.

[budman]

My 2011 CTSV got hit by my neighbor and I went to my insurance because she is not exactly a coordinated human and her husband is gone to France for a while. She did come to the door and provided all the information after backing into the Caddy. She wanted her husband to deal with it and I was not willing to wait a month or more to move this forward.

Not exactly a huge smack

Ring #AlwaysHome

Check out this video! I just captured it with my Ring Camera!

ring.com

So I contacted my insurance and Travelers sent me to a specific shop to get an estimate. I got to choose from several. All good.

Got the estimate at $3500ish for a front fender. When the dude was doing the description I noted that they were sourcing a used fender and I asked for an OEM part. They said that is not Travelers policy and I could pay another $350 out of pocket for one. I was not real happy. Also I had to pay the 1K deductible upfront.

So I decided to void the claim and go directly to the woman's insurance. To that effect I went back to the Body shop and told them what I was doing. They asked what Insurance company and I said why??? He said he needed it to do the estimate. He said I can do it as an individual request vs insurance claim. I said sure lets do that. Turns out after getting the claim going her Insurance is Progressive.

Well. Now it is $5,500ish.. I knew the OEM part was about $350 more but...

So I drilled down into the estimate and found higher rates for the work, additional detailed information on how they do the work like clear coating the edges of the panel vs not and better protective actions for the rest of the car and interesting that the same task was not .1 or .

So... just like medical insurance if you are an average man you get F'd vs the insurance cost. Of course medical is crazy unequal and this is only 67% high removing the bump for the OEM part.

I tried to tell the dude at my insurance that they should cover the OEM part because my car is rare and will be considered a classic. He said can't. That is Travelers policy and we are contracted with them for collision repair. I will probably face the same with Progressive.

Well F me there.

I am going to dump Travelers after this and see if it makes sense to jump to Haggerty since I am only Sunday driving it now and I have heard to good things about them and classic cars.

My car is not a classic.... yet. But this would make it seem that it will be... As Holeshot told me over 10 years ago.

 

[Climber]

First rule of thumb with insurance companies is to never take their first offer, it's like a job offer and there is a range and they'll always try to low ball you first to see if you take it.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Have your insurance open the claim against her (and out of town hubby's) insurance. There's nothing for her or her husband to do since there's no argument how it occurred and no one got hurt. Except you've noticed that newly mended leg is aching a bit from just hearing about it?

Pick wherever YOU want to do the work and have them prepare an estimate for the woman's insurance to pay. No wait required- get it in since it always takes a week, maybe 2, longer than they think. Rock on.

 

[budman]

Did you not read that I did and my insurance had limits that would screw me?? Plus I had to pay in advance. Fuck that

They are suppose to work for me. Not kick me in the huevos.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Did you not read that I did and my insurance had limits that would screw me?? Plus I had to pay in advance. Fuck that

They are suppose to work for me. Not kick me in the huevos.

What I read seemed like you were making a claim with your own insurance provider. They will be delighted to make a claim on your behalf of the woman's insurance, since they'll be out of pocket not a dime.

Or you could call her insurance and make the claim (again to her insurance, not yours). They can't tell you where to go- you pick whoever you want. They may not even send an adjuster for that (relatively) low amount. Don't forget the rental car you'll need- that's part of the claim.

 

[Holeshot]

Hagerty is amazing. They'll take the Z06 as well and some of your bikes. Although, I've yet to file a claim with them...but do read they're great to deal with.

On your Bumper; I'm in the same spot with my GF's GV80 that some muppet wrecked the front of. It's been over 5 months, fucking with her ghetto, low limits insurance company (aspire...of which they do not). Bodyshop people were helpful. They explained the use of used parts, but that they'll DQ any used parts that aren't 100% perfect (as if they came fresh out of the package). The'll keep sending them back and eventually, put on new parts. In short: the body shop is your friend. Find one who'll play ball that way and give them your business. Fuck any that won't....Good luck Bud. If things get really bad, I've got a body shop who's really good in Lake County who'll do what we want. He's a tenant of ours.

 

[easy wind]

Definitely use their insurance only. Get more than one estimate and stick to your guns. You have a right to be made whole again. Heck get one from a dealer so they’ll be happy to pay less for what you want elsewhere. Document every interaction and stay on their tail in a friendly way. They will pay after they get her statement on the phone. If anyone has ring or waymo/lol footage that will help if they ‘forget’ they are at fault. Next time try to get the one conceding fault live on vid. They often have revisionist memory.

 

[ThumperX]

In California, your insurance is required to state in writing that they can dictate used or aftermarket parts. Check your policy.
I’d avoid a connected shop, it’s for them, not for you.

Check Progressive's estimate vs the Traveler’s. What is Progressive paying for that Travelers is not.

You might find yourself surprised at the shortcuts.

 

[TheRobSJ]

I have heard Hagerty is very good and when I deal with them for claims on customer cars, they are the least shitty insurance company to deal with it seems. And I was going to switch my Vette to them when I dumped Travellers a couple years ago. But omg Hagerty was not even remotely close to most of the other usual suspects were. Like 3x more for the Vette.

Some companies, and I can’t remember if mine (Progressive) is one or not, do give an option when you’re choosing coverages with a “use OEM parts” box you can check. I’ve seen a lot of collision repairs with refurbished bumpers and aftermarket parts that are pretty cringey.

 

[ctwo]

I was expecting your car would get wiped out by a drunk. I wouldn't park it where you do.

 

[budman]

This will be interesting.

I have heard from others Hagerty was competitive but really defined what was or was not covered and how.

I just read a the Progressive TOS to answer questions via an online deal. Sorry. You will have to call me.

1/2 half of it any way. Shit was long!!!

When it got to Collect my data. Share it with all Insurance carriers was sort of when I said F No.

 

[littlebeast]

we’ve had AAA since forever. any time we’ve had an accident that was someone else’s fault, they told us to get repairs done (all OEM parts per our policy), and then they went after the other parties insurance separately for reimbursement. have never had to argue with them about anything. i asked them once how it went with the other parties insurance (did they get full compensation?). they told me in so many words, and politely, it was none of my business.

 

[Holeshot]

Hagerty is competitive with multi vehicle collections. The first few vehicles are expensive, but once over a certain collection valuation, additional cars can be really cheap. Stated value is also a great feature. I pay around $6,500/ year for more than 10 vehicles on the policy; bikes and cars.

 

[Ridley]

When my wife’s car got smacked in her work parking lot I called our insurance company with the information from the person that hit her car. Our insurance company told me to take the car anywhere we wanted and they would deal with the other insurance company for covering the repairs. It was super easy on our part with no hassle.

Sorry Bud that you’re getting the runaround. As the victim they should make it as pain free as possible.

 

[littlebeast]

Hagerty is competitive with multi vehicle collections. The first few vehicles are expensive, but once over a certain collection valuation, additional cars can be really cheap. Stated value is also a great feature. I pay around $6,500/ year for more than 10 vehicles on the policy; bikes and cars.

yeah - IME most insurance companies work that way (and both of ours do). after 2-3, it’s like, you aren’t driving / riding them all at once, so adding additional covered vehicles is comparatively cheap.