| Message |
Author |
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:41 am Post subject: Taking my car where I want to have it repaired |
|
|
| I wrecked my 2008 Lexus and my Ins.Co. is telling me that I need to take it to one of thier "prefered shops" or they will not warrentee the repairs nor will they pay any higher labor rate than thier shops. The shop I want to use has a great reputaion, a written lifetime warrenty, and a couple my friends have used them and are very happy. Thier labor rate is $3.00 an hour higher than my Ins. Co's shops,but is the same as several other shops in our Town . I have a $1000.00 deductible and dont feel that I should have to pay any more out of my pocket, but I want my car fixed right,by the shop I want! I live in Va. [/b] |
|
Tailspin
New member
Joined: 27 Mar 2009
Posts: 1
1.30 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'd say if the shop wants your business as opposed to loosing it, they should be able to adjust their rates by $3/hour.
If your insurance company can show that several other repair shops will honor the lower price then this is all that the need to pay. |
|
tcope
Forum Expert
Joined: 22 Nov 2006
Posts: 5066
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
272.53 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: |
|
|
if your insurance company is ready to give you the option which is comparable with the shop mentioned by you then you can go for that option rather you should ask for insurance company to give you right option.
one more thing to add $ 3 /hr labor charges according to me is normal one .Insurance company should be paying that much labor charges.
stay on with your stance. do not budge to their (insurer's) pressure so that you end up paying extra from your own pocket. |
|
buckisaa
Member
Joined: 27 Mar 2009
Posts: 57
21.81 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:49 am Post subject: insurance |
|
|
| WOW!! I din't have an issue, like this, when I was in an accident. My Insurance company just told me to get 2 estimates from 2 different repair shops. As long as you DO pay your Deductible and take care of things on YOUR end, I don't see why YOU shouldn't pick your OWN repair shop. |
|
sdchargersfan
Senior member
Joined: 21 Aug 2007
Posts: 2055
4.67 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| This is a somewhat common steering tactic. I have had customers tell me this before, and I have produced an estimate from the insurance company in question showing they do pay the higher rate. |
|
CascadeDave
New member
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 36
9.26 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
is the shop recommended by the insurance company reputable? otherwise, i dont see a problem trying out that shop. on the other hand, $3/hour is an acceptable rate, and i dont see why the insurance company is insistent on you going to their recommended shop.
call up the shop of your choice, get the total estimate for the repair, and discuss with your insurance company. if the difference is small, you could work out some leeway with them. |
|
seven7
Member
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
Posts: 75
11.14 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
I have worked at Toyota Financial and, at least at the time (late 2001) they were very choosy about who you went to for repairs. They aggressively protect their interest in the vehicle, and made people come in to the office for an inspection of the vehicle and the paperwork (to make sure the mechanic was approved properly) before they would sign the insurance check (which is usually made in the vehicle owner and the lien holder's name).
So double check with Toyota Financial, they may decide that your choice of mechanic is better and tell the insurance company to accept it.
Even though the mechanic has a Lifetime Warranty, the insurance company may raise your rates even more for going against their policy. I've heard some horror stories about insurance companies, so go with what they say, even if the work is substandard, you did as they said and they will have to pay for any consequences (per their warranty).
I doubt that the mechanic would be willing to go down that much, especially if they are that reputable. They probably have a line of other cars who are willing to pay their full price. Plus, it will take quite awhile to make those repairs, and that difference will be a substantial chunk of change.
Hope this helps,
chrys
_________________
Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved. |
|
ChrysHenderson
Guest
|
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Man does this thread have a lot of erroneous information on it! 
Tailspin...here's the deal...if your carrier can show and prove that qualified shops will repair this vehicle for the labor rate they have written they are well within their rights to pay that labor rate and only that labor rate.
The state of VA says in part in their fair claims practice regulations:
| Quote: | | This section shall not be construed to require an insurer to pay an amount for motor vehicle repair services or repair products necessary to properly and fairly repair the vehicle to its pre-loss condition that is greater than the prevailing competitive charges for equivalent services or products charged by similar contractors or repair shops within a reasonable geographic or trade area of the address of the repair facility. Offering an explanation of the extent of an insurer's obligation under this section to its policyholder or third party claimant shall not constitute a violation of this section. |
_________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
|
Lori
Moderator
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 8173
Location: Missouri
287.90 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
As tcope said...
I'd say if the INSURER wants your business as opposed to loosing it, they should be able to adjust their rates by $3/hour.
oops, I think I misspelled shop.
FK, |
|
FK
Senior member
Joined: 10 Feb 2008
Posts: 290
Location: Pa.
41.08 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Lori, I hope you weren't referring to my post as being erroneous. A lot of carriers instruct their adjusters (I have seen some Allstate adjusters do this) to write estimates at drp rates. I've had adjusters tell insureds and claimants that is all they will pay. Like I said I have produced estimates showing the higher rate from the carrier sometimes by the same adjuster.  I have been given the excuse that the deficiencies are because the insured or claimant might not get the car repaired. The OP said the shop of choice charges the normal rate commonly paid in the area. |
|
CascadeDave
New member
Joined: 04 Nov 2008
Posts: 36
9.26 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Would be a good time for the insurer to produce their survey and to check it's accuracy. Oh I forgot, that's proprietary information most likely.
_________________
If you can't find the time to do it right, how will you ever find the time to do it over. |
|
MikeoftheOzarks
Senior member
Joined: 10 Feb 2008
Posts: 595
Location: in the missouri ozarks
191.27 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
i don't see why they insist on you going to their prefered shops. afterall, the repair shop that you want to use is reputable... i don't think that the difference would be great, so maybe you could discuss this with your insurance company. i feel that your insurance company is just trying to lower its costs. since the other repair shops aorund have the same price as the shop you want to use, i don't see any good reason why they should insist on you using the cheaper one.
"the customer is always right" |
|
IcEcrEaM88
New member
Joined: 28 Mar 2009
Posts: 29
12.42 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | Lori, I hope you weren't referring to my post as being erroneous |
no of course not dave! if you read the thread you know which ones!  | Quote: | | oops, I think I misspelled shop. |
clearly! | Quote: | | I have produced estimates showing the higher rate from the carrier |
THAT is all that is necessary...frankly I've had a shop or two tell me this...and I say, 'cool, that will end this discussion right now..get it..' as I continue to write the estimate...(you can always just change the rates)...time passes...shop manager comes back, or I have to go find him, and sayd, 'yeah, ah, i couldn't find it'...well i'm sorry cause if you could've even if the rep was wrong..(and he/she would've been) I'd have paid that rate gladly...Guess it's a good lesson that Dave is the king of to keep the highest paid labor rate estimate from every insurer...wouldn't be a tough thing to do either...oh wait I take that back..one shop did have a sheet about three years ago was one buch higher an hour than prevailing at that time....i took a picture of the sheet (to CYMA) so it was in the claim..and paid that amount...simple... | Quote: | | I have been given the excuse that the deficiencies are because the insured or claimant might not get the car repaired. |
Do you mean they are writing at a lower rate, than they would on another estimate, or that they are writing less of a sheet? Sounds like someone might be flirting with Unfair claims practices..if I'm understanding this....My company does not have DRP rates and 'other' rates..they are all set at prevailing rates...period..but the company I work for also gets no discount of anything with their drps either..so perhaps that is different than other carriers I truly don't know..
If the rate of this shop the OP wants is the same as most of the shops in her town..then she (or her shop) can prove prevailing rate... | Quote: | | Would be a good time for the insurer to produce their survey and to check it's accuracy. Oh I forgot, that's proprietary information most likely. |
Yes it would be mike, and no I don't this it is protected info. atleast with most carriers, course most likely this is a local/regional decision..
| Quote: | | i don't see why they insist on you going to their prefered shops. |
they arent' they are just telling her they won't pay any higher labor rate than their drps..is what it sounds like...
| Quote: | | i feel that your insurance company is just trying to lower its costs |
of course they are...
May come down to (if it's true) that the majority of shops in the area have the same posted rates as the op's shop...proving this to her carrier..
There are a few 'high end' repair facilitys 'bout fifty miles south of me...that think because they only repair bmw, jag, and other high end vehicles makes them better somehow...they charge about ten bucks an hour more than any shops around...does my carrier pay it? nope...guess they need it for the four shop boys that keep that shop floor so clean you could eat on it (it IS amazing)...and of course the gourmet coffed machines in the lobby, blah blah...still doesn't make their techs any better or worse than Mikes..it is possible that the OP is dealing with one of these 'type' shops as well.
_________________
"Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." Martin Luther King Jr. |
|
Lori
Moderator
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 8173
Location: Missouri
287.90 Dollars($)
|
|
| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am of the opinion that if a shop (mine doesn't) specializes in high end cars that require certified repairs by technicians with factory certified training, that they are entitled to a rate, determined by them and not insurers, to make a reasonable profit in which to continue to be able to train and certify their employees. If they are required to possess specialized equipment that I am not, I certainly would not resent the fact that they would benefit from charging higher rates. Maybe in reality, it is the type of car and quality of repair wth oem parts or cheap imitations, that should determine the cost at which it could be restored to pre loss condition.
There simply should not be a prevailing rate, period. Other businesses are not regulated on their pricing, why should Applebee's be required to sell their hamburgers for the same price as McDonalds? In realitiy these rates should be referred to as the stagnant rates coerced and regulated by the insurance industry.
A post repair inspection could determine that the cheaper shop infact could or did not restore a high end vehicle to pre loss condition and that paying for re-repairs after the initial cheap repair only cost the insurer or vehicle owner more than originally anticipated.
_________________
Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved. |
|
Mike o' the ozarks
Guest
|
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: | | I wrecked my 2008 Lexus and my Ins.Co. is telling me that I need to take it to one of thier "prefered shops" or they will not warrentee the repairs nor will they pay any higher labor rate than thier shops |
.
Can you tell us whether this attempt to coerce and intimidate you came from the appraiser or adjuster which handled your claim, or did it come from making the intial call to an 800 number to file the loss?
_________________
If you can't find the time to do it right, how will you ever find the time to do it over. |
|
MikeoftheOzarks
Senior member
Joined: 10 Feb 2008
Posts: 595
Location: in the missouri ozarks
191.27 Dollars($)
|
|
