Body damage- DIY or body shop?

If you have an otherwise clean driving record and have not had a claim in years or maybe not ever had a claim they usually don't increase your rates on a first claim of under a certain value. That value will vary by insurance company but you're not looking at a huge amount here. I would just let the insurance handle it if it were my truck.

 

That's what I'll do, I got the photos and information sent, and am awaiting the insurance company's quote.

 

I agree with the shopping around for insurance. They will look at any claims or tickets and account for them in the quote. I left my insurance carrier A few years back because I hadn’t shopped around and was just paying the premiums.I was robbed. Lowered my premium by over half.I was happy and pissed that I was being taken advantage of.

 

perfect post. Pay the 300 deductabLe thats why you have insurance. 2500 is insane i would not stress that damage whatsoever on a truck.

 

Same here but I was shocked at that photo of the bumper....and now realize that our bumpers are nothing more than cheap plastic with no metal backing....and tied into the fenders. That way any impact to the plastic bumper will most likely fold and damage the rear fender. It's nothing more than decorative end caps. A real truck bumper would have prevented most of this damage.

 

So USAA gives a quote of $1519 which they'll send me a check for, minus the $300 deductable =$1219. So I get to eat about $800 for repairs. I gave the body shop a copy of the claim adjuster's estimate, I'm hoping the body shop can do some "adjustment" to their figures.

 

They can't give you a check for an amount (not counting the deductible) insufficient to properly fix the vehicle. Have your body shop justify the expenses with them. Exactly how did USAA arrive at a number?

 

I work in a body shop as an estimator. Talk to USAA and ask them to break it down if you follow through with this claim. How much will your rates go up for the 3 years and do a cost comparison. As long as they don't pay out on the claim, your rates will not be impacted. Nothing wrong with talking to the insurance company to figure out what the best option is for you.

 

Don't worry about the cost of repairs. Let the body shop negotiate that with the insurance company. What you should look into is how much you will be out of pocket going through insurance. Rate increase plus deductible. We already know what the shop will charge. The more important thing to look at is the "operation" of the repairs (i.e. what kind of parts they are using and the type of body work they are doing to your truck). Also, if you do go out of pocket for the whole repairs, you can ask the shop if they offer a cash discount.

 

I did ask them about possible rate increases, the claim rep told me she wouldn't know, and that when my policy gets reviewed at renewal time(May) that committee will make that determination.

 

Your rates may or may not go up. For right now don't be concerned. Instead make them fix your vehicle 100%. Then you can fight that fight.

 

Yea, claim reps don't know anything regarding premium increases. All they know is how to take your statement and process the claim to the next available adjuster. The person that would know about rates would be your insurance agent if you have one. They would be able to break it down for you.

 

Yes, that's what I'm aiming for.

 

Work's done, I can pick up the truck Monday. The body shop manager had told me that they'll be submitting a "supplemental" claim, I have no idea what that means or how it will go. My son[the future lawyer] is encouraging me to pursue the mater with the insurance company. He had gotten the runaround a while back when someone backed into his car in a parking lot, and the insurer initially refused to cover the damage under Uninsured Drivers provision of his policy. Eventually the insurance company paid for the damage in full.

 

Well I'm pleasantly surprised, the body shop submitted a supplemental claim, the insurer approved it, I wrote them a check for $300(my deductible) and got my truck back.