Aftermarket parts with insurance claim

Soooo, I had a run in with a tree. Not terrible, but enough that I am sure it will be 3k. Bumper end and brackets, tail light, and some action on the rear of the bed. If I would have had a steel bumper, nothing would have been damaged. I want to use the repair amount for the bumper and put it towards a steel bumper. How did you guys work that if you have a lien still? Didn't your insurance company make the check to the body shop?

 

The body shop should be willing to work with you if the check is cut directly to them. In some cases, the insurance company will cut you the check and you can do the repair where you’d like.

A lien would should have much of a difference, it’s the same thing as modding a bank owned truck which 90% of us do.

 

I want to say that the only time I have had a check written to me, it also had the lender on the check. It's been a while though.

 

At State Farm we can issue the check to the customer or the body shop. Usually the body shop wants it directly to them but we have the option to do either if both parties agree.

 

In that case, is it possible to direct funds to a steel bumper?

 

My estimate was pretty spot on. Think I want to go with RCI. Hopefully I can get it worked out. That OEM bumper is 1k to fix/replace

 

Most insurance companies will offer the choice of who to send the check to.

I had initiated a claim for internal damage to the cloth seating of my 5.0 that my girlfriend drives; in the end they sent me a check for the estimated cost of replacement. I kept that money and opted to upgrade her seats to Katzkin all the way around for only $200 out of pocket.

I remember the claims guy telling me "you can blow it on blackjack for all we care, it's your car, and we're here to take care of you"

 

Here's when we got the leather -



Like they say at JG Wenworth "It's my money, and I NEED IT NOW"