Non fault wreck on my part, substandard work at body shop.

by slimdigger » Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:04 am

I was involved in a wreck in May, driver broadsided me on the right passenger side. The Insurance company (theirs) refused to tow my car to the dealership an hour away. They said that since there were local body shops located locally, they wereen't required to do so.

The shop that it got towed to did sub-standard work on my car. (To the tune of over 9,000.) Not only that, they put on used rims (when the estimate quoted NEW ones and paid 404 for each.

When it was all said and done, part of my trim is coming off, my bumper is popped out (other body shop said a pin is broken), and when I picked up my car I had to pay him exactly what was on the estimate and was not credited for the difference in rims. (which I would have reimbursed to the other ins co.) Not only that but I also did NOT get an itemized billing statement from the guy.

Oh, and he wants to take a heat gun to heat up my bumper to "bend it back into shape." Not only that, but while he had my car in his paint shop, his shop burned, and he doesn't know if he's going back into the body shop business.

Currently, he's at his mother's shop (towing) and to the best of my knowledge not doing any more body work.

I contacted my insurance, State Farm, and they told me, sorry, outta luck. And yeah, I have full coverage with State Farm. Am I really out of luck? I'd like them to file a claim, but they won't. Do I need to force the issue with them or just get a lawyer and fight the shop owner?

Total Comments: 4

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 06:55 am Post Subject:

They said that since there were local body shops located locally, they wereen't required to do so.


Why didn't you contact your insurance at this point?

The shop that it got towed to did sub-standard work on my car.


Why did you let that happen?

Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:32 am Post Subject:

To the tune of over 9,000.) Not only that, they put on used rims (when the estimate quoted NEW ones and paid 404 for each.

you say this...but then say...

Not only that but I also did NOT get an itemized billing statement from the guy.


So how do you know you were paying for a new oem wheel?

Oh, and he wants to take a heat gun to heat up my bumper to "bend it back into shape."

Heat guns are used on urethan covers all the time, but after the repair was completed, this shouldn't have been necessary.

I contacted my insurance, State Farm, and they told me, sorry, outta luck. And yeah, I have full coverage with State Farm. Am I really out of luck? I'd like them to file a claim, but they won't. Do I need to force the issue with them or just get a lawyer and fight the shop owner?

Did State Farm pay to fix your car? If I understood your post the other at fault carrier paid, is that correct? Have you called them? If they paid, and they insisted you repair it at this shop then that's the carrier that needs to make this right..no way state farm would or should...unless they paid for the claim. Need some additional information and we should be able to point you in the right direction.

1. What is the name of the carrie that paid for the damage?
2. Who wrote the estimate of repair? Adjuster or Shop?
3. Who told you that you had to go to this shop?
4. Was this shop a 'preferred' shop for the carrier that sent you there?
5. What state are you in?
6. How long ago did this happen?
7. How long was your car in the shop:
8. Did the carrier pay for a rental the entire time it was in the shop:
9. Did/Do you have an injury claim from this loss as well?

Also...anonymous00, made some good points...

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 01:05 am Post Subject:

Shelter is the carrier that paid for the damage. Shelter's adjuster wrote the estimate, and sent me a copy. (that's how I know that I should have gotten new rims.) Shelter told me that they would pay ONCE for towing, only. They said that since there were shops in the area, I had to choose one from the area. When I asked them if I could have it towed to Shreveport, or Alexandria to the Toyota dealership, they said no, they would only tow once, and only locally. I am in Louisiana. It happened May 8th. The car was in the shop until middle of JULY! The carrier did not pay a rental the entire time it was in the shop. And yes, I hurt my shoulder, but didn't immediately seek treatment. I had a shoulder injury, which I initially thought was just soreness. (Stupid, I know.)

Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 02:51 pm Post Subject:

Ok, then Shelter is the one you need to call and advise them that although they paid for new wheels you did not get the wheels..what did the shop say when you ask them about this? Why were you not in a rental while the car was in the shop? Does Shelter know about your injury?

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