Cliff Notes: Got hit <u>and run</u> by a drunk driver, his insurance is paying. They're quoting $102.86 for a bumper cover. Should I ask for more money?

Ok, here goes. I got hit by a drunk driver. His insurance is paying. My driver side fender is dented along the crease, and I don't see them being able to pull it out. They also quote $102.86 for a front bumper cover... now last time I checked there's no place to get a bumper cover for that cheap? Does anyone have some experience with this sort of thing? I have been looking for used parts to buy on H-T, but even used prices here are more than the insurance company is quoting me. Maybe they're assuming that I'm just in it for the cash, and I'm going to take the money and run? I'm trying to get the $ to get a 98+ bumper and headlights and replace both fenders... but at the price they quoted me I don't even think I could get 94-97 stuff! Let me know if I should ask more money, and/or how I should go about it. What should I say to them? How much money should I ask for? Any help is appreciated. Here's the estimate:

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EDIT: Added 'and run'... since it was a hit and run by a drunk driver.


Modified by 94TealGSR at 5:46 PM 4/11/2003

 

Dude you are getting robbed!!! Fight these SOBs and get what you deserve!!

 

That's what I figured. I just wanted to check here first. As the guy at the body shop suggested yesterday.. they're probably thinking I'm just some punk-*** kid that's gonna take the money and not get the car fixed. Bitches.

EDIT: Also, another thing to ponder... when you buy the bumper do you not have to buy the two pieces separately? Maybe they're only quoting the top half or something?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94TealGSR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's what I figured. I just wanted to check here first. As the guy at the body shop suggested yesterday.. they're probably thinking I'm just some punk-*** kid that's gonna take the money and not get the car fixed. Bitches. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Sad but True thats why always have a adult deal with these white collar thieves!!

 

When its not your fault, you have the RIGHT to OEM parts. They tried to do this to me. Body shop called them up, then he called me, saying I will be getting OEM parts. You can just call your self tho. The body shop that did mine was great

 

Hmmm... I was thinking OEM parts would be good. Are they obligated to pay for OEM?

 

Yes, they are obligated to replace it with OEM parts. They are obligated to replace the car with the exact parts that were damaged and all parts brand new.

 

Im not sure if they are OBLIGATED to do it, but many insurance companies will.

$100 for a bumper cover for sure means its an aftermarket piece. Even an OEM refurbished bumper would list at ~$200.

 

according to my insurance information, it says in the instance of an accident, when one party is found 100% liable (drunk driver in your case) the liable parties insurance is obligated to bring car back to pre accident condition. doesnt say anything about new parts, but that quote is very cheap, i would try and get more, let us know how it works out......drunk drivers

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 96LsIntegra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">according to my insurance information, it says in the instance of an accident, when one party is found 100% liable (drunk driver in your case) the liable parties insurance is obligated to bring car back to pre accident condition. doesnt say anything about new parts, but that quote is very cheap, i would try and get more, let us know how it works out......drunk drivers
</TD></TR></TABLE>

That means. if you have OEM parts before, YOU GET OEM parts back on. That simple. Argue it.

 

I would definitely fight it! If you read the estimate carefully, it says:

** QUAL REPL PART - Quality Replacement Parts"

This estimate has been prepared based on the use of crash parts supplied by a source other than the manufacturer of your motor vehicle. The aftermarket crash parts used in the preparation of this estimate are warranted by the manufacturer or distributor of such parts, rather than the manufacturer of your vehicle."

I can tell you from experience that an aftermarket OEM front bumper fits like ****. I finalled ended up going to the Acura dealer and buying a brand new bumper and it cost $238 for just the top part. The lower valence of the 94-97 bumpers is a separate part and also costs in in the $200 range. If you read the above disclaimer, it says the parts are warrantied by the manufacturer of the aftermarket part, which means it's ****. I would demand replacement with OEM ACURA parts.

Also, when I checked, the cost of the headlights and bumper cover from Acura are the same for the 94-97 tegs and 98-01 tegs so you might as well get the parts replaced with the 98+ front. Good luck and hope this helps.

-Dave

 

The thing you have going for you (which was explained to by my adjuster when some moron gashed my bumper parking) is that Insurance companies (or at least mine) cant use aftermarket bumpers for Integras, due to the word "Integra" being printed on the bumper. This is something that they cannot recreate, therefore the car will not be the same as it was before the accident.

They can and will argue the aftermarket bumper will fit like OEM, and theres no difference, but they cant argue that where it once said INTEGRA on the bumper, it no longer says that. Aftermarket bumpers do not have "Integra" imprinted on them, as thats a trademark owned by Honda. "Saturn", "Mustang", etc. same deal.

 

Wow, I feel like I can't lose his battle now. I guess there's no way for them to get around giving me an OEM bumper now. The bumper lenses they quoted me are $50 each, but OEM ones run about $100. I guess I'll fight that too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by newgsrdriver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The thing you have going for you (which was explained to by my adjuster when some moron gashed my bumper parking) is that Insurance companies (or at least mine) cant use aftermarket bumpers for Integras, due to the word "Integra" being printed on the bumper. This is something that they cannot recreate, therefore the car will not be the same as it was before the accident.

They can and will argue the aftermarket bumper will fit like OEM, and theres no difference, but they cant argue that where it once said INTEGRA on the bumper, it no longer says that. Aftermarket bumpers do not have "Integra" imprinted on them, as thats a trademark owned by Honda. "Saturn", "Mustang", etc. same deal.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said is totally true. The aftermarket OEM bumper I had on my car did NOT have the "Integra" embossed on it like the Acura OEM one does and if you look at any aftermarket OEM one sold (there's plenty on Ebay), none of them will have the "Integra" on it.

The insurance company may argue that "Integra" or not, you're getting the same thing physically but that's bullshit. It even says in their estimate that all the aftermarket OEM parts are to be warrantied by the manufacturer of the part, and NOT Acura. **** that! Demand all original Acura OEM parts. With the money you get for Acura OEM parts, you can definitely upgrade to the 98+ front. Good luck!

 

Defintely fight it. BTW, First page right under the mileage it says OEM/ALT Notice which one they're screwing you into.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95 integra &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Defintely fight it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

x2

 

If I didn't know better, I'd just send them a copy of this thread. It pretty much says it all!

 

Just drive to a dealership and say, "can I get a estimate on how much it will cost to fix this, its for insurance." Then they'll write you a big estimate thinking they are gonna get money from insurance. Than you take that estimate to insurance and say, "this is how much it costs to really fix my car at my local dealership." More or less this is a hard set legit figure to work with, you should get that amount if not something VERY close to it. Then the check it cut to you and you take it to fix anywhere you want or just pocket it. Theres no law saying you have to use that money to fix the car anyway.

 

Here are the parts as acuraautomotiveparts.org lists them (at list price):

Front Bumper:
Top Half: $312.39
Bottom Half: $137.75

Turn Signals:
Right: $104.12
Left: $104.12

Fender Skirts:
Right: $65.30
Left: $65.30

Total: $788.98

Wouldn't you say there's a bit of a difference between $292.72 and $788.98? I would.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Black-LS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just drive to a dealership and say, "can I get a estimate on how much it will cost to fix this, its for insurance." Then they'll write you a big estimate thinking they are gonna get money from insurance. Than you take that estimate to insurance and say, "this is how much it costs to really fix my car at my local dealership." More or less this is a hard set legit figure to work with, you should get that amount if not something VERY close to it. Then the check it cut to you and you take it to fix anywhere you want or just pocket it. Theres no law saying you have to use that money to fix the car anyway. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow, you guys are ingenious sometimes.
I never would've thought of that, considering how much I dislike the dealer and their pricing.. but for once it would be to my advantage! Schweet!

 

just a tad more than your original qoute... hehe

don't forget labor too... try what I said... I think you'd still be happy getting like $100 less than a dealer qoute. Than everyone is a winner? You get more, insurance pays less than dealers qoute

 

Yeah. They quoted me $36/hr for labor, and you can bet the dealer charges way more than that.

 

Yep, definitely demand OEM parts. In the case of my door being replaced from when it got backed into, I wanted brand new OEM parts (complete door, mirror, glass, window molding, etc). Well since my door was already 9 years old, insurance would not pay for a brand new door. They would pay for a used factory door, though. They also paid for brand new OEM glass, mirror, and molding. Demand OEM parts, and you will get them. If not, consult a lawyer.