General Chat
Q:
I got popped in the back last month by a sheet rock truck while driving my Mustang. I've finally got their insurance company to agree on the value of my car, so they're sending a check to cover the body shop repairs. If there is any other unseen damage, I've been told that's between the body shop and the insurance company. I was told by a friend at work to be sure the check they send doesn't say "settlement in full", or anything to that effect.
Can anyone offer any advice or wisdom concerning this part of the procedure that will help me avoid any other pitfalls? This whole ordeal has been like walking through a minefield. As always, thanks to everyone for any responses...
"The Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about. "
Early 74 260Z
90 5.0 Mustang LX vert (7up edition)
86 Isuzu Trooper
85 Kawasaki 900 Ninja
A:
You need not worry. If there is more damage than originally
estimated, the body shop will ask for a supplement to the work.
The check(s) are usually 2 party; made to shop and the owner
of the vehicle. You'll sign off after the repairs have been completed.
If the estimate was down outside of a bodyshop, like your home
or an insurance inspection station, the estimate will be low.
They basically half-ass it and try to cover as little as possible because
many owners tend to just cashout (rather than repair).
I own bodyshop and this is routine.
Good luck.
----------------------
93' 300ZX nonTwinTurbo
----------------------
A:
"The first rule of Italian driving: What's behind me is not important. Unless it's a sheet rock truck." - Raul Julia (From the movie Gumball Rally)
A:
You WILL sign off on the work by the time this is over one way or the other. Who you use as the body shop is more important for a quality repair job. BUT, the body shops usually work very closely w/ the ins. cos so you are not going to have too much clout. The shops get the bulk of their work from ins cos. referrals and will try to please them before pleasing you except where safety is concerned if the shop is reputable. I've seen shopowners get in big arguments w/ insurance cos. when the insurer wants a job done that will compromise safety to save money. Of course, not all shops will do this, either.
Most insurance cos. have adjusters that try to save the company money, but on a small claim, which I am assuming this is, like under $5-10K, all the adj. cares about is closing the case and getting to the next one without taking any extra time or trouble...just business as usual. If you have a good shop, the shop will usually stand behind ther work because if you complain to the ins. co. it could keep them from getting more work. Most insurance cos. have guarantees about the work also.
"Resistance is futile..."
Rusty but running.
Polish cell phone and two tubes of Aluma-seal.
And, now we are historic.
A:
Nice one, 72n03zs!:)
Thanks, folks! Good to know these things. The appraisal was done at my house. I haven't even talked to a body shop yet, but the one I'll use is run by an old friend, so I feel confident on their honesty. The only thing I'm concerned about now is that the appraisal called for "tinting" the paint, which I assume is blending. I'm doubtful whether or not that can be done, since the paint on the car is the original, somewhat tired stuff from 16 years ago.
"The Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about. "
Early 74 260Z
90 5.0 Mustang LX vert (7up edition)
86 Isuzu Trooper
85 Kawasaki 900 Ninja
A:
Tint means to adjust color. They usually give 0.5 hours for this.
----------------------
93' 300ZX nonTwinTurbo
----------------------
A:
My experience locally is that you either A> take a check and it's settled in full OR B> have the insurance company work with the shop and handle all the money. The downside to A is that you get screwed if the damage exceeds the check, unless the insurance company is really nice. The downside to B is that you may be able to work a better deal and pocket the cash. I haven't seen a deal where you get a check and THEN the insurance company pays out to a shop again. This is something you really should be asking the insurance company, since they would tell you right away what the case is.
A:
What the insurance company told me was to take the check and the car to the shop of my choice, and if there were any extra costs, that would be decided between the shop and the insurance company. That has been confirmed as standard procedure by MY insurance company representative. I'm just trying to make sure I don't take a wrong step here. I've already had to go through the ordeal of having to prove to the insurance people that my car was one of the limited edition Mustangs (NADA value $8875)
and not just a run of the mill one (NADA $3275). It's a pain in the ass to be hit by someone, then have to jump through hoops just to get back to where you started from in the first place. I don't think anyone's being shady here necessarily, it's just part the insurance company's job to try and get out as cheap as possible, and unfortunately my task to make sure I get treated fairly.
"The Law of Logical Argument: Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about. "
Early 74 260Z
90 5.0 Mustang LX vert (7up edition)
86 Isuzu Trooper
85 Kawasaki 900 Ninja
A:
It sounds like you are set then.