as some of you might already know from
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...876778#1876778

my XB has a front collision and is now at camelback scion body shop waiting for my authorization for repair, the estimate goes up to $7000, which is done jointly by the adjuster and mechanic there (of course, insurance cover the most).

Some one suggest me to have an independent estimate before I authorize the repair. So can anybody recommend one for me?

I also find there are 4 parts that are not OEM but after market: condenser, radiator, fender and fender liner. If I want OEM, I have to pay the difference, about $530. Is it worth that?

Thank you for reading my post and looking forward to your opinion.

 

Depends on if it is worth it to you. I am not sure that an independent estimate will actually help you unless you get an estimate for a higher price.

But, all dealers and high end body shops are some of the highest dollar estimates you will get. Anything over and above the estimate will have to go back to the adjuster for approval anyway. And like you said, unless your insurance covers after market parts, you have to pay the difference for any mods you did. I would honestly just have Camelback do the work. Most dealerships and highend body shops will not cut corners.

 

If I remember correctly, my insurance is supposed to pay for the repairs to make the vehicle in the shape it was in pre accident, which would be all factory parts. I don't know how your insurance works, but a deductible is a deductible, anything after that is their responsibility regardless of cost, that is what we pay out the butt for that ____ for. Don't settle for crap parts.

 

You have the right to request factory parts. Just like Dan mentioned about fixing the car to "pre accident condition". Your car is still new regardless if its 1-2 years old, they will always use aftermarket replacement parts on a car that is a few years old. You shouldnt have to pay any difference accept your deductible for your car to have all factory parts put back on it.
I have worked as a wholesale parts counterman for Honda for 10 years and what alot of people dont see or know is that the insurance company pays "retail price" for all the replacement parts, the body shop pays about 30% off retail price and charges the insurance company the retail price. Most body shops can work with you or the insurance company to discount the parts price of any factory parts. Besides, most body shops hate using aftermarket parts because they dont fit correctly, it would cost almost the same to make fine adjustments to make a non oem part fit than to just buy the oem part in the first place.
Sorry, I rambled on a bit .. This is just a pet peev of mine being in that business for so long to see the way insurance companies cut corners to save a couple bucks.

 

Thanks for all your kind reply.

I trust CB body shop's quality, so maybe I'll go with it without further inspection. I know nothing can really go back to pre-accident, but I think the best can be done there.

But I do have big concerns with the aftermarker parts. Sadly I checked with the insurance commissioner at department of insurance, Arizona, and was told that no Arizona law prevent the insurance company to use aftermarket parts, no matter what insurance company (Mine is Geico). The man in CB also confirmed that by saying: don't you know that? It's in your policy.

So I guess if I want to use OEM parts, I have pay some extra. It looks like the condersor has the biggest difference (320 vs 640), and radiator next (240 vs 375). This is what quoted from CB. I guess they are used parts.

One interesting thing I notice in CB is it seems people there specifically associated with certain insurance company. Because I was always asked which insurance company and was directed to that person.

 

I thought that aftermarket parts were covered as long as they are attached to the vehicle. I spoke with my wife who does insurance. It really depends on how your insurance contract is worded.

Ours covers anything attached to the vehicle. This might be a lesson that all of us should look into.

If it were me, I would push for them to replace like with like. It could not hurt you. It is an insurance claims adjuster's job to pay as little on the claim as possible. I would double check my policy and push the insurance company to restore the vehicle back to the way it was before the accident.

 

Like I said previously, I would push for them to restore the vehicle it's prior accident condition. This would include any mods you had done that were attached to the vehicle.

Also, my advice for everyone is to double check your policies as to what they cover and what they do not.

 

Thanks dagarhart, I checked the policy and notice that
The limit of our liability of loss:
2. will not exceed the cost to repair or replace the property, or any of its parts, with other of like kind and quality...

That seems means if they find a so-called quality replacement parts of low price, they can limit their payment to the low price and you have to pay for the difference if OEM parts have to be used.

It's really hard to understand all these wording by glancing through the whole policy.

I think I will pay some extra to get the OEM parts.

Thanks for your information. I might consider new insurance company in the future. Any recommendation?

 

Threaten to turn them in to the BBB. Nobody likes to have that on their record. Does it also explain what how they go about proving that the aftermarket parts are of "like kind and quality?" Because that can also be argued. you could always try the, "im gonna run this by my lawyer" approach. If you can't get anything done, well at least you did what you could, but I would give them ____ until the went through with it, because honestly they have no benchmark as to the comparison of the quality of parts. Hope you get everything resolved and keep up informed as to what the status is. You can always talk to CB and see if they won't mind fighting for the use of factory parts do to lack of quality with other companies. They are the experts and should be able to get that done for you as well. It doesn't hurt to ask, don't take no for an answer.

my .02

 

I have USAA. They are awesome, but not everyone can have them. Prior to USAA, I had American Family, they were resonable, but the 1 claim I had to file with them was against someone elses insurance and it was pretty minor.

So unless you are eligible for USAA, I cannot help you out with an insurance recommendation.

 

thanks, sprslug_182. I did ask CB about the aftermarket parts by keystone to be used, which are told of low quality. CB guy immediately doubt my claim and said the aftermarket parts are quality ones. Although with my insist, he said if the parts do not fit, they will use the factory ones, and ask insurance company to cover. I'm not sure whether I have to take the chance.

I also asked insurance company about the quality replacement. The parts are new and provided by keystone
http://www.keystone-auto.com/default.asp
and it's under lifetime warranty from keystone (I guess this is the kind of quality of the kind, unless a lawyer is involved, I'm not sure whether I can handel it). It seems keystone is a company in the business for a long time. But I'm not sure of its real quality. I have 4 parts from them in the estimate: condensor, radiator, fender and fender liner. I'm not sure whether I should change all of them to OEM or only

I'm not sure what to argue because I'm somehow tired. I got a lot of works to do and not a persuative guy. I just want my car to be properly repaired and not cause more trouble due to the repair. But when I said this, CB guy seems be annoyed and think I don't trust CB. I really didn't mean that, and didn't know how to say next.

Also thank dagarhart for the information. I heard great story from USAA, but regretfuly I'm not eligible. Anyway millions of thanks to all of you guys. I'll see what I can do.

 

Camelback will take care of you. They're good people and did a good job on my car, Dev's tC, Kelly's kit, etc. Body parts are just sheet metal, they either fit or they don't and I'm sure CB will make them fit. If the gaps are crooked or something tell them and they'll fix it.

 

Keystone has some good parts. If you still feel uncomfortible then just get the oem fender, the radiator or condensor are 95% of the time made by the same manufactures as oem, so you shouldnt worry about those pieces.

 

Thanks n2htwlz. I also find a lot of people show concerns with the fender, bumper or parts like that. Actually a friend of mine has his honda repaired at the designated store and the bumper looks so ugly he went to a dealer and replace it. The extra for fender and liner is not much, about $40. I'll certainly take it.

 

Yeah, its mainly body parts you need to be concerned about. The mechanical parts are a totaly different situation.

 

I would take n2htwlz advice. He has been in the repair business for a while plus he is a good guy too.

Just keep in mind, they have to repair it to the quality car it was before you got into the accident. If the repair is not acceptable, if something is off, take it back. Do not settle for "They did their best". Make them give you a perfect car back. I am sure that Camelback will take care of you.

Look over the car really well and make them fix anything that is not looking good. If the paint does not match perfectly, make them fix it. If a part is off, make them fix it.

The bottom line is that the insurance has to pay for the repairs minus the deductable.

 

that's what I was trying to say. Even with the cheaper parts I'm sure Camelback will take care of you.

 

That is because you are a good guy too dedehitt.

 

Zillions of Thanks, you guys are real good guys.

I just found the photos taken by the adjuster, and post most of them on flickr
www.flickr.com/photos/16658395@N00
(how to make that link work?)

It looks not so bad, but even this, it has frame damage already.

 

Thanks man, now could you just tell my wife?