Hi Everyone.
My wife wrecked the car and we need to take it to a body shop. Our insurance (Geico) recommended one of their preferred body shops. It will be a lot more convenient for us. I checked the reviews and it seems fine. BUT, is there any reason I should not use my insurance’s preferred shop? I read on a random website that they may use cheaper parts to cut cost for the insurance company.
Thanks!
Just use the shop they recommend . If there are any problems after the repair it will be easier to have then solved. And no matter where you go they will have to have the insurance approve the replacement parts anyway.
You’ll just have to check with the shop and look at their work. I’ve used the State Farm recommended shop twice with no problems and once included replacing body panels. I never had to do anything. The bill just went to SF. They might have had a pricing contract, I dunno. Last time the that same shop had closed up so just used Abra. They also did a nice job.
I have GEICO, and their recommended shop has always been very good. They deal with body shops all the time and know who does good work. No matter who you choose, the shop will accept whatever the insurer agrees to pay.
Our insurer has a list of preferred body shop’s but it’s pretty much all shops that have been around awhile and have good reputations. The shop that replaced the drivers door and repainted the blizzard pearl white paint on mom’s 2010 Prius explained exactly what they’d have to do to get the paint to match and that it would take a few days to do the job right. Mom was totally satisfied with their explanation’s and the care they took. Didn’t rush the repair and the car was as good as new afterwards.
PEMCO’S TIMESAVER REPAIR PROGRAM
Crunched car? You can choose a shop that participates in PEMCO’s Timesaver Repair Program.
- High quality, competitively priced, quick repairs.
- The shop works directly with PEMCO to handle costs and payment.
You can use the repair shop of your choice, even if it’s not on our list.
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I nave used two different body shops . The first was a shop of my choosing. A small two man shop, did great work but had no rental car tie in. I had two cars at the time so I did not need a rental car.
The second was a shop that was Geico recommended, did great work. We had given up the second car. Had a rental agency in the building and allowed Geico customers to choose any vehicle, even if it cost more than the coverage and took the car from me when I was at the collision shop. I to;d them I was going to fill it up at the gas station across the street and they waived the gas fee. Very convenient. Also , if you chose their recommended shop, the repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car.
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My car got rear ended, no collision, had to deal with the other insurance company, original estimate, $1400, they lowered it to $700 by using used parts at the shop of their preference. Long story, but I took the $700. Story was I could get it fixed there, no problem including extras if needed, any other shop I would pay the difference.
I don’t know that I’d trust anything I read on a “random website.” Consumer Reports, USA Today, Car & Driver, sure. As it happens, I have a website and I can put pretty much anything on it I want. That doesn’t make it true and it doesn’t mean I know what I’m talking about.
Years ago someone hit my 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier on a parking lot and drove off without leaving a note or trying to find the owner. Farmers Insurance gave me a list of local shops, I chose one, and they fixed my car. Even provided a loaner. I was happy with the result and happier that I didn’t have to chase estimates like in the old days.
If aftermarket parts are available that work and are less expensive than OEM parts, you can be sure that GEICO will only pay for the less expensive parts. You can demand OEM parts if you want, and you will probably pay the difference. The repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own the vehicle. I wouldn’t worry about it if was in your situation.
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Yes, your contract with Geico specifically says that they can use aftermarket parts. The Geico recommended repair shop tried to put an aftermarket fender on my car and it did not fit right so Geico paid for the Toyota fender.
In my view it’s better to use used OEM parts than after-market, as long as they are in good condition. At least you get the same quality and fit. After all every car has used parts on it already.
There are different quality levels among aftermarket manufacturers. There are also different requirements as well. Do you need a Ford hood latch or will an aftermarket part do?
It probably also says they can use used parts. This is fairly common practice for body parts. So you get used OEM…
I don’t have any probem with used parts as long as they are not rusty. All the other parts on the car are used.
Yup, that reminds me what happened to a colleague
His Benz needed repairs . . . can’t remember if it was his fault or not
Anyways, the insurance stipulated that aftermarket parts be used, in order to save money
The problem was the aftermarket hood never did fit very well.
He kept hounding them, until they agreed to look at the car, and they did indeed share his opinion that the aftermarket hood didn’t fit very well and in fact looked terrible. In the end, an oem used hood was located, prepped, painted and installed and it looked great.