repairs to almost new car

by Guest » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:47 pm
Guest

I'm new to doing this, so please be kind. I live in Ga. and have not had a car accident in 23 years. I was rear ended while driving my 2007 auto. I only have 13,500 miles on it and it doesn't have its first door "ding" yet. I have talked to the claims adjuster to understand the procedure to having my car repaired. I talked to two body shops today. One was on their " approved" list and one was of my choosing. Both told me that the back bumper and one exhause muffler system has to be replaced. More damage might be expected when they take the car apart. I asked about replacement parts and both said the insurance company only want to use reconditioned bumpers.

Isn't that wrong for a 2007 model car with the millage I have on my car? What recourse do I have before I choose to have it repaired. I'm not trying to get something better than what I had, but I don't feel I want something that might have been damaged and fixed either. Thank you for helping this old grandma.

Total Comments: 7

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:53 pm Post Subject:

Good morning geritolgypse and welcome to the community....I'm very sorry for your accident, and glad no one was seriously injured. I think we can provide you with some information and perhaps put your mind at ease....

both said the insurance company only want to use reconditioned bumpers

IF one is even available for yours or my own vehicle, or if the cover on it can be remanufactured. There may not be one available...

First a reconditioned bumper cover IS a previously damaged one that has went thru a process of repair and returned to useable condition.

Did you adjuster say this or only the shops? Because they may not use it. All insurance companies have guidelines regarding the use of non-oem or aftermarket parts as well as used parts or when they will only use ''new'' oem parts...All companies are different. The company I work for on your vehicle would not use anything but new oem (same year vehicle is 15k or less miles). That being said, let me say that I would personally have NO problem whatsoever using a reman bumper cover on your vehicle. It is an oem part. Now, that being said, I would communicate to my shop that they are to inspect this cover very well prior to putting it on my vehicle and I would tell them upfront , ''I'm gonna be REAL picky about this!"....



From the GA dept of insurance website I found this information indicating that the state of GA has no 'laws on the books' regarding A/M part useage, (although your example is NOT after market but reman oem)

after market parts QUESTION: The insurance company wants to use ermarket parts rather than original manufacturer's parts. Is that legal?

ANSWER: Yes, as long as the estimate so indicates such parts are being listed and the guarantee of the manufacturer is also stated on the estimate.

After Market Parts

After Market Crash Parts are generally defined as “parts not manufactured by the original equipment manufacturer that replace non-mechanical sheet metal parts or plastic that constitute part of the exterior of a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to an inner or outer panel.

QUESTION: Can the insurance company use after market parts to repair my car?

ANSWER: Yes, The insurance company is required, however, to identify each after market part used in the repair estimate and attach a disclosure statement that aftermarket parts were authorized in the estimate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: Must I accept the after market parts utilized by the insurance company in their estimate?

ANSWER: No. You can request that the repair shop use original manufactured parts but you will have to pay the difference in the cost of the original manufactured and after market parts



What recourse do I have before I choose to have it repaired.

First make sure that your adjuster says they will use this reman cover, and if one is even available, this may all be moot... Then if you absolutely don't want this your only recourse will be to pay the difference. You don't say the make/model so I can't look it up for you, it could be as little as 20bucks or 300...they are all different. Honestly I wouldn't worry about this if it were my car.

Now, remember if you do not go to the shop that the insurance company 'backs', or 'approves' they will not have much leverage to help you should you be unsatisfied with the repair. If you go to one of their shops they will (more than likely, ask to be sure) gaurantee the work completed themselves. That is HUGE, so please think that over very carefully before you make your decision.

Thank you for helping this old grandma.

Our pleasure, I'm an old Nana too!

Please don't hesitate to ask additional questions or let us know make model etc, and I can check on the parts price differences I should be able to get pretty close.....Also let us know what the ADJUSTER says, re: their company guidelines re: parts useage...

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 01:43 pm Post Subject:

Lori you do such a good job with people here, what a great post, you covered every part of her concern.
My uncle had his front bumper replaced after skidding on the ice a few years ago and doing pretty descent damage, he opted for the aftermarket part, it took about a year, but that bumper looks like crap, rust all over it, the chrome covering is all gone.
I would hesitate allowing them to use anything aftermarket that has a coating on it.

wouldn't the bumper come plain and be the repair shops job to repaint it to match the car, right, so she should be okay here.

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:32 am Post Subject:

but that bumper looks like crap, rust all over it, the chrome covering is all gone.

remaning or ''rechroming'' is a little different, and I agree that they generally do not hold up very well, and I never write a reman bumper on a chrome one.....

I would hesitate allowing them to use anything aftermarket that has a coating on it.

I tend to agree with you as it pertains to chrome bumpers....however if done at a shop the insurance company backs, (and i've seen this happen) she should be able to have it replaced time and time again, (if the plating starts to lift)..however who wants that hassle.......

wouldn't the bumper come plain and be the repair shops job to repaint it to match the car, right, so she should be okay here.

Yeah, I'm assuming her bumper cover is urethan, and it will come (same as a new oem would) primed and ready to paint....after the necessary prep by the shop...

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:49 am Post Subject:

I will have to let him know about this, he was so dissappointed with the look of that bumper. It does look awful and he has tried to keep the truck in nice condition, can't afford to go buy another vehicle.

It would be a hassle running back time and time again.

I will insist on them using parts that come from the manufacturer vs aftermarket. I can see it being a cost saving measure and if it works fine, but for the cosmetic parts on a newer vehicle, I will have to insist they use new.

thanks for the reply Lori, how do you break it done in sections like that?

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:10 pm Post Subject:

thanks for the reply Lori, how do you break it done in sections like that?

You just copy the part (like i did yours here) paste it into your response, highlight it then click the 'quote' box--(looks like a cartoon bubble)...just above farthest one to the right (with reply box open) next to the # sign....and it will put that section into quotes...

Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:57 pm Post Subject: Hit by a semi

I was hit by a semi, the trucker was fully at fault he admitted to it. I have whiplash and I did get xrays. I have a 2008 fully loaded dodge ram, the estimate said after market bumper, can they do this? Also should I get an attorney for my whiplash, i have been in pain all week. They want us to pay for half the exhaust and half the tire. I didn't cause the accident. Plus how do I ask for the dimished value claim?

Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 08:26 pm Post Subject:

.

I have a 2008 fully loaded dodge ram, the estimate said after market bumper, can they do this?

yes

...Also should I get an attorney for my whiplash, i have been in pain all week.

That's up to you, remembering you'll be giving up 33.3% minimally to the attorney

...They want us to pay for half the exhaust and half the tire

It's called betterment..you must only have 50% of the tread left on your tire..that's reasonable but 50% betterment on 2-3yr old exaust is out of line.

I didn't cause the accident

I understand that and I'm sorry...

Plus how do I ask for the dimished value claim?


You'll probably have to have the truck repaired first, but tell them straight up you plan to present a DV claim, ask them what they want or need for documentation

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