Freaking Out

Shopping at Trader Joe’s tonight and when I went out to load my groceries into my truck I discovered some asshat had backed his 1998 Montero into My Baby! I have significant damage to the L front quarter panel, hood, bumper and possibly L front wheel. It’s dark out so won’t get a good look until after the sun rises tomorrow. Asshat has Geico insurance. I don’t want my vehicle repaired with aftermarket anything! Any tips on how to get them to replace with OEM?

I’m devastated.

 

2016 with 50,000 miles. Perfect, and I mean perfect, condition! Not a scratch, ding, or mark on it. I’m so butthurt.

Could have been worse. At least the asshat stuck around.

 

A lot of people in that scenario don’t tend to stick around so be thankful for that. It’ll be repaired so you’re gucci

 

Ditto...lucky he stuck around...

 

Its just a truck and it will get fixed. Sorry it happened though.

 

Now’s your excuse to armor up!

 

Take it to the dealer that has their own body shop. They will only use OEM parts. Geico is a stingy company and will do everything to cut corners (you get what you paid for). If they decide not to pay for OEM parts, take Mr. Ass Hat to small claims court for the difference. When you get the judgement Geico will have no choice but to pay up. Good Luck!

 

1. This sucks. My condolences.
2. That’s why you park at the back of the lot far from harm.
3. I second armor up. See if you can take a check and replace with some cool parts that improve your truck unless you don’t like that look.
4. Don’t take anyone to small claims court. You’ll be removing the hat from the offenders head and placing it on your own head. Plus it’ll be even more of a headache.

 

I just went through this with my 2002 TJ. I was rear ended at a red light by a guy doing 45. Safeway(the other guys insurance) wanted to use used parts. My body shop wouldn't do that b/c they couldn't guarantee they would hold up if another accident occurred and they wouldn't be held liable. That insurance company has to make your truck whole again and it has to be in the same shape or better.

It helps that my best friend is a lawyer and he handled everything. There is no case law proving I had to accept used parts(at least Safeway couldn't provide any). They ended up totaling my Jeep and placed a value on it a little above KBB.

Now I didn't go run up a big ER bill or anything like that. I work in an ER and see the shit that comes through the doors b/c they want a "check"

Bottom line. If I didn't have to accept used parts on a 16yr old Jeep, you shouldn't have to either.

My advice, find a body shop that works for you and not the insurance company. Don't threaten you'll get a lawyer, they may quit talking to you and force you to go through their legal department. If it gets to the point of needing one, then get one.

Also, I don't know how it is in your state, but they had to provide me with the same rental that I was in(Enterprise rents Wranglers here), not a cheap ass compact. I bought my Tacoma 3 days after the wreck, so I didn't have it long.

 

I’ve got no problem with Geico.

 

If your truck is more than a year old you will not get Toyota parts. No matter what insurance you have.

You will have to pay out of pocket to get Totota parts (or even get new parts, if they can repair panels with bondo you won’t get new ones).

And honestly... Toyota parts aren’t any better than aftermarket OEM equivilents... in fact they are typically the same quality just 4 times the price.

Your biggest concern needs to be paint work, not replacement parts. Silver is the worst color to do repaints on. Make sure you research your body shops thouroughly and discuss with the shops exactly how much blending will need to be done.

 

I'd suggest not even speaking to the other party's insurance yourself.

My agent would handle everything on my behalf, including the use of OE parts. Call yours and ask.

You might drop the name calling of the other party.

We all do dumb things and make mistakes. And they stuck around to deal with their error as opposed to bailing as many would have.

 

I've been with USAA 27 years. They tend to take care of their members.

 

State Farm. OEM only unless OEM is not available. Spent years in auto body repair and switched when I found that out.

 

Let the lady air out her frustration. I don’t blame him for calling him worse. The guy obviously hit him hard enough to do “significant damage”.

As for the guy sticking around... Is he honest or just knows that there are cameras everywhere nowadays and he could be involved in a minor hit and run if he rolled out?


OP gets as pissed off as you want! I know I would do the exact same.

 

Exactly!

An asshat would have bailed on you. Be thankful this person had enough character to hang around.

It's a truck, not a person. It can be fixed.

 

Depending on your state laws, you may be eligible for a Diminished Value Claim. Basically once its fixed they cut you a check for the lost value of your truck since its now got accidents on the vehicle history report. Got 4k off two different accidents in one year on my Jetta.

 

I have Geico insurance. I also had a marmot crawl under the hood and proceeded to ride back to Denver 2 hours from the mountains. That night if chewed threw over $4K of wiring harnesses and labor to replace it. Geico rep contacted me over the phone. I easily requested brand new parts and had him add an extra $100 for engine bay cleaning. I bought a gift card at the carwash and he sent me a separate check. It may be who or how you talk to them but worked out fine for me. Truck is a 2014.