Aerovette

suck even when they are helping you.

My insurance company has drilled in to me that I can have my car repaired at any shop of my choosing...YET, they continue to promote the advantages of using one of their preferred shops. I find this extremely annoying and a bit unethical. The statement that I can take the car anywhere should be the end of the dialogue. They are NOT nuetral like they claim to be. They have told me this:

1. Our shops do not require an adjuster to come out and see the vehicle.
2. Our shops do not need an approval for a supplement to the initial estimate or expense
3. Our shops have a guaranteed completion date
4. using one of our shops means that your satisfaction is guaranteed. The work is guranteed for as long as you own the car.
5. If you are not happy with the shop you choose and it is NOT one of our preferred shops, we will "try" to help you as much as we can, but we have no leverage.

Sure, I can choose any shop I want, but I really am being pushed to choosing a shop THEY want.

Loby 1

Tell them where you want the work done, it's that simple.

Evil-Twin

No you are not. If you prefer a certain shop. take that check list with you, and make sure your preferred shop signs off on it.. and I don't mean a hand shake or a verbal agreement. I mean a written contract. If they are not willing to guarantee for life their repair, then why use them. Good shops are in business to get you the best job possible. insurance companies are there to get you the best they can at the cheapest price which includes using cheap foreign parts. You satisfaction is guaranteed by your states insurance commission. That's one of the reason you pay insurance premiums.

Aerovette

No, it's actually not that simple. It is only that simple if the work is done right and on time at the shop of my choosing, otherwise the insurance company will basically say "Too bad for you. We tried to tell you". How do I know this? Because I spent about an hour on the phone with the claims representitive discussing it at length.

Aerovette

I attempted to make this argument with them. I said it was their money going to the shop so they should have a vested interest in the outcome and they said, "No, it is YOUR money going to the shop. We pay you, you pay them." They said that if I want the leverage of witholding funds etc, I would only get that by using one of their preferred shops.

Christee

Insurance have preferred shops that they contract with. This means they have people in those shop to write for that insurance company and they have leverage over that shop if there are any issues with your repairs.
If you go to a shop of choice there is no leverage for you insurance company what so ever. They have no legal rights to go after that shop as they are not contracted with them.

It is your right to have your vehicle repaired at any shop of your choice but an insurance company will push for a preferred shop as it usually makes the claim process go smoother and they are able to help you if any issues arise.

Mr. Jean

What insurance company?

B747VET

Most all high quality insurance companies deal this way nowadays. Insurance companies don't like surprises and lawsuits any more than you do.

Also, getting a lifetime guarantee on the repairs and the paint from one shop doesn't necessarily do you much good. Shops come and go. However, insurance companies tend to hang around for quite awhile. If the paint job starts to go south after 5 years and the shop closed after three years you are out of luck unless the shop was on your insurance companies preferred list.

In the SoCal area, I've pretty much found that the insurance company preferred shops are often the best shops in town anyway...

Aerovette

They list Car King as one of their shops. I thought Car King was a cousin of Maaco.

Evil-Twin

Preferred Insurance company shops are preferred by insurance companies because they save the insurance company money. They employ some entry level employees and use cheaper parts. Using a Preferred company is in the best interest of the insurance company, and not necessarily in your best interest. High quality repair shops with excellent reputations, do not usually subscribe to the preferred shop mentality. They use high quality factory parts, and employ high level technicians. These high quality shops know how to get you the best job, because they know the law and how to deal with the insurance company to get you the best job. There is a big difference in a normal repair and paint job, and an exceptional repair and paint job. Having the choice to take your car to a Corvette specialist shop is a good thing.

Evil-Twin

IN 1970 I was involved in an accident with my 70 Corvette. Rear ended by someone and their insurance company came out and wrote me an estimate to have my car repaired. the estimate was for 2600 dollars. I took the car to a Local Corvette Specialist shop, where the work was guaranteed for life, and the shop had an excellent reputation. They wanted 3800 to repair the car. The insurance company told me that they has a shop that would repair my car for 2600 dollars, and if I wanted to take it to a specialist, I would have to pay the difference. I contacted the State Insurance commission office and told them my Corvette was three months old and wanted it repaired using factory parts and repaired by a Corvette Specialist Shop. I had it repaired at " My shop of choice" and the insurance company paid 3800 dollars. I told the insurance company I pay a premium for driving a Corvette and rate is based on the fact that the Corvette is not repaired in the same manner as other cars.

Marine One

Fortunately my favorite shop is also on my insurance companies preferred list. And it's the body shop at the local Chevy/Caddy store.

Patches

I just went through this twice in the last year having my dd MINI Cooper S repaired.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1584341988-post5.html

Both times I used the shop of my choice near where I work, Spectrum Collision - the first time based on recommendation and reputation, the second time based on my first experience with them. They are a premium shop that the insurance companies also just happen to like to deal with. They did an awesome job both times.

I agree with ET that shops associated with the insurance company have their interest as first priorities and the claimant's second. I want the best repair with new, OEM parts performed by skilled pros so I go with the shop of my choice who guarentees their work for life in writing.