Friend of mine was driving my ITR, and some little ***** in a minivan rear-ended him! The damage didn't look toooo bad, until I took out the spare tire...I spoke to Muller Acura (Chicago area), and they recommended a local auto body shop in Schaumburg.

In fairness to the body shop, I won't post their name until I decide that's who is going to do the repair. If everything turns out well, I'll recommend them.

Anyways, the most-extensive damage looks to be in the rear floor pan. The rear bumper is definately toast, and the hatch isn't quite perfect in alignment. The exhaust tip is slightly bent. The estimate came in at $2360.35. This is with all OEM parts. I'm meeting with their Allstate insurance adjuster on 1/5/04.

My car was slightly pushed into the person in front, but the damage isn't too noticible. It was included in the estimate, but I bet Allstate will complain about claiming that. The person in front of the ITR was pissed, but I don't know if she will file a claim for the scratches.

Couple questions:

1-Should I present the estimate to the insurance adjuster before he/she comes up with their own estimate? The guy at the body shop said to do this, and that they'll try to lowball the estimate ($1200 or so).

2-In general, is there anything I need to say (or don't say) when dealing w/the insurance rep? I want to get the amount of the repair. I want OEM parts, not some cheap knock-offs.

3-I'm going to try and get another estimate before I meet the insurance person Monday. Does the amount of $2360 seem typical?

4-How do they pull that body pan back into original shape? Will my car's structural integrity be affected by this accident?

Thanks guys. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

2360.35 YIKES!

Ok 1- Get as many estimates as possible 3 or 4 if you can and weed out the low cost repair places- go High end.
2- Present them all four as long as they are with in reason nothing too jacked up.
3- Say as little as possible but when you do talk be precise and direct, do not flap. If offered a low amount by the insurance Co and its actually not enough, turn it down- do not accept any offer that is clearly short.
4- that kinda damage should not result in any change to the integrity of the car, to make sure the car is still straight and ok bring it to a wheel alignment shop before anything is done and have it checked properly, if something is out of wack just get a repair estimate and then try to get another one or two to show the INs Co.

Good luck and happy new year!

 

sorry it had to happen, but in any case do #1 definately, present the estimate to the claims advisor. i as well deal with allstate for my car insurance and they've always been pretty good about me going where i want for the repairs (honda/acura) of course. btw how old are you and how much a month do you pay for the insurance if you don't mind me asking?

 

Just go and take it where you want and tell them to fix it and give them all your insurance info...let the shop and insurance company deal with it...

Tell them all new OEM parts only and that you want they written gaureentee on proper work.

 

When I've had body damage, I would bring my car to my insurance co's direct charge approved shops (2 of them are the best shops in the area), and they estimate the damages and insurance pays it no questions asked. You can't do that with your insurance?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JUN.R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">btw how old are you and how much a month do you pay for the insurance if you don't mind me asking?</TD></TR></TABLE>28, $180/month, that's w/ITR, Ford Contour, and home insurance. I used to pay $4000/year (333/month)!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 743 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When I've had body damage, I would bring my car to my insurance co's direct charge approved shops (2 of them are the best shops in the area), and they estimate the damages and insurance pays it no questions asked. You can't do that with your insurance?</TD></TR></TABLE>The problem is that it's not my insurance company, as I'm not at fault. Yep, in past repairs where my own insurance (State Farm) was paying it, they did send me a few recommended shops in the area.

The Allstate Insurance adjuster is the same location as "Sterling Auto Body". I'm guessing that must be one of their recommended places they can trust for a fair estimate.

 

where in chicago are you? if you city/northside.. i can recomment auto plus on elston and montrose.. took my car there and they took care of me.. and they did my conversion..talk to roger, he's the owner.. tell him paul sent you.. if you visit you'll probably see a yellow totalled itr there.. that would be kenny's.. usually allstate have their own adjuster.. if the car is driveable they will ask you to take it to their shop/office and give you their estimate plus also it depends on your deductable. They usually dont ask for/care for other estimates since they will give you their own estimate..let us know how it works out =T

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lang &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The problem is that it's not my insurance company, as I'm not at fault. Yep, in past repairs where my own insurance (State Farm) was paying it, they did send me a few recommended shops in the area.

The Allstate Insurance adjuster is the same location as "Sterling Auto Body". I'm guessing that must be one of their recommended places they can trust for a fair estimate.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ok...then take it to your deisred shop and give them the claim number to the other persons insurance....and tell the body shop to deal for you....

 

auto plus will take care of you.. if the other party's insurance comp. is allstate or state farm.. dont matter.. the owner knows the adjuster and can get you a could estimate for it.. just talk to him.

 

price looks about right unfortunetly.

 

The estimate above seems to be lacking in some areas. My first concern is for a color match on the rear bumper. Whatever black pearl that you have, it contains a lot of metalic and depending on the paint manufacturer that the shop that you choses uses it might have several alternates. Because of this the finish piece between the taillights and rear bumper should probably be painted. Also there is enough of the bumper that bumps up against the quarter panels that would warrant both the right and left quarter panels to be blended. If they go ahead and do this, I would make sure that the quarter glasses be R&I'ed (Removed and Installed) If not, the clear will peel from these areas over time. This would also mean that the entire sail panel should be cleared requiring the roof drip rail molding to be R&I'ed as well as the finish moldings on the windshield. Some shops might even wright to R&I the drivers and passanger mirrors.

Unfortunatly you are at the mercy of the body shop that you chose. Ask around and do your research. Make sure that the shop that you decide on realizes how important this car is to you. Be a pain in the ***. This way they think that you will bitch about every little thing that is not perfect when the vehicle is repaired.

Allstate also has a listing of Allpro shops in you area. These are shops that are under contract with Allstate and must repair the vehicle per the Allstate estimate. Any deviations from these guidlines could warrant removal from their program and a loss of a major DRP account.

Good Luck

 

Try some more places and ones H-T recommened

 

Ouch! Good thing you took out the spare tire or you may not have noticed the damage.

 

That damage does not appear to be structural, you may want to have them check your rear frame rails. As long as the damage does not extend to your strut towers, alignment should be unaffected. One thing to keep in mind is that whatever the insurance company writes is not written in stone. They understand that once the vehicle gets torn down the body shop may find additional damage. They may try to suggest using one of there preffered shops. but you do have the choice to have the vehicle repaired wherever you want it repaired. Another thing you may want to watch for is they may try to find a used rear bumper assy. or a re-manufacterd(repaired) rear bumper cover.
If you have any questions, I manage a body shop, I will try to answer them for you.

Darren

 

Why doesn't the dealership have the ability to fix that? I bought my EBP Si and 3, that's right 3, different people hit me within the first 40 days of owning it. The dealership did a great job everytime, sold that damn cursed car though.

 

I use Royal Coach in Addison.

Good luck with the repairs.

 

get a few estimates, do research adn try to get so references from the shops and/or photos of their work. ask to see in the shop and see how it is maintained....if they trash their shop and dont keep it clean why will they treat your car differently? remember most of all though with body work there is always three choices
1. cost
2. time of repair
3. quality
you get to choose two. shop around and remember especially in body work you get what you pay for!!!
good luck and hope the car turns out well!

 

i'm assuming they told you to go to sterling on roosevelt, by franks and wendys... anyways, i think allstate owns sterling (i forgot how they put it) and they always have an adjuster there.

They'll cut you a check there if you have your car paid off to you, and then you can go do what you want.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Lang &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2-In general, is there anything I need to say (or don't say) when dealing w/the insurance rep? I want to get the amount of the repair. I want OEM parts, not some cheap knock-offs. </TD></TR></TABLE>


If its not your fault, you CAN get OEM parts. If they try to deny you them, tell them the accident was NOT your fault, and you are entitled to OEM parts because of this. This happened to me, they tried to give me **** parts, but the body shop told me they have to give me OEM if i want them

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dk127 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'm assuming they told you to go to sterling on roosevelt, by franks and wendys... anyways, i think allstate owns sterling (i forgot how they put it) and they always have an adjuster there.

They'll cut you a check there if you have your car paid off to you, and then you can go do what you want.</TD></TR></TABLE>
wow, thanks for all the help guys

yeah, I have an appt at Sterling on Monday, I thought there was only 1 independent shop. It's the one in Rolling Meadows on Algonquin. I'll let you know what they quote me at.

I went to Bodywerks in Skokie, and he was thinking around 1100-1200 for the rear only. I didn't show him the front, visible damage is minimal. It wasn't a written quote.

As a side note, I asked him how much a full paint job would be (no door sills, exterior only), and he said about $2000. I was thinking maybe the 350Z blue or Evo VIII blue...

 

bodywerkz always charge you an arm and a leg.. there are other shops out there that are cheaper and does a better paint job. just a thought

 

ouch,hope things work out. Damn ****** in their minivans

 

Sorry to hear that about ur R but my Total of damages that i did 2 wks ago was just about 5k so dont feel so bad. Good Luck