Cement Pro down

I tend to see this from a different point of view having worked in insurance for right around seven years. Although my role has not been that of an auto damage adjuster, I spend time with auto damage adjusters and frequent body shops, both direct repair shops and shops of customers’ choice.

A point not highlighted with direct repair shops is the work is oftentimes warranted long term, even for lifetime of ownership. Insurance companies routinely review direct repair shops to ensure cost efficient, quality repairs are done in a timely fashion at the satisfaction of insureds/claimants. Unfortunately, this causes direct repair shops to operate under short demands and tighter profit margins. If a direct repair shop does not meet expectations set by insurance companies, insurance companies step in to resolve any issues leading up to termination of contracts with direct repair shops. Insurance companies don’t just deal with any shop. Direct repair shops are pretty well vetted. They undergo performance appraisals similar to insurance company employees. Direct repair shops in many instances streamline the claims process by allowing you to pickup and return rental vehicles at their locations and reduce the back and forth with insurance company employees/adjusters. It’s an all-in-one, less hassle approach. In my locale, there are direct repair shops at existing dealerships.

On the other side, there are shops of customers’ choice. Granted, some are reputable and do quality work without the demands of insurance companies intertwined in the repair process, others inflate estimates to increase profit margins and exercise a practice of saving insureds on their deductibles, a practice that’s questionable. As far as repairs being warranted long term at these shops, I’m uncertain, but perhaps so if it’s a reputable shop. Unfortunately, insureds/claimants who deal with shops of their choice enter a private contract with the shop and insurance does not get involved any further than simply issuing loss payment. So, insureds/claimants are left to their own to resolve any repair disputes or other issues.

Ultimately, it’s your choice and there are good and bad examples of both direct repair shops and shops of choice. Anyone who outrighlty discredits one versus the other is impartial and fails to see the benefits of either.

 

Not trying to get in a debate . It sounds like your insurance adjuster. It's not an inflated bill . It's not being in a contract to make a cheaper time constricted repair . Anyway almost all shops warranty a repair and all dealerships do . Bottom line and one thing to consider is do you want to have your vehicle half assed back together in a geico drp shop because its a drive in with 3 days to fix it or take it to a dealership to get put back to pre accident condition ? Or a qualified tech to notice all the damage up front and save the customer from driving a would be total and not being happy . Then there is the issue of a corrective repair which a unhappy customer can request .

Just an opinion by someone in auto collision for 19yrs from CA to GA. The insurance company is going to "prefer" the shop that is more "cost effective".

 

I’m not an insurance adjuster. I clearly made that disclaimer at the beginning of my post. I actually investigate potential insurance fraud. I gave an opinion with pros and cons of direct repair shops and shops of choice. There are many body shops at dealerships that are also direct repair shops for insurance companies. I see the benefits of both repair options. It all comes down to the quality of the shop. I’m leery of the opinion of those who seem to ridicule one repair method and not the other. Again, I see advantages and disadvantages to both.

 

$$$$$$$$$$$

 

Wow. Impact appears to have been taken by the rear axle primarily.

Glad you're okay.

Once they total it, take the money, buy a TRD OR and then upgrade it. Save the rest of that money instead of buying another PRO. You can always buy the badges for cheap if you just want the looks.

 

Rip..... Crossing my fingers you receive good news this week.

And I get priority on any part swapping....sorry boys.

 

Too soon man! The vultures are circling already..... Second jk

 

I'm only saying this because you already said you're ok and walked away "without a scratch"... otherwise I'd be a total crass asshole.

So anyways... wanna swap out tail lights and head lights plus $ before insurance tows it away?

I live like an hour away just sayin...

 

Glad your ok as well! Bmw probably texting. Take everything you can off that poor beast and sell it. Badges, lights, bumper parts etc. and make a little extra $$ for your troubles.

 

WOW! Glad to hear you're ok. As many others mentioned, remove what you can and make some cash. I'd be willing to buy the tail lights, fogs and possibly the headlights .

 

Damn, that thing looks terrible, but glad to hear that you walked away just fine.

 

If i had the cement, id buy your hood.

 

Glad you're ok, hope all works well for you..

 

Seriously...I was not surprised to see it was a BMW.

Do you know the difference between a BMW and a porcupine?





With a porcupine, the pricks are on the outside.

 

Crazy how your headlights just flew off and couldn’t be found after the accident.....






I’ll PM you my address

 

Poor pro, but glad you walked away and that is way more important than the truck itself

 

My friend if you ever come into a situation like this and your truck is totalled and you walk away. You won't give a shit about the piece of metal you leave behind.

 

Brilliant. Hadn’t heard that one before...

 

Lol... yes this is obvious. I have three pieces of precious cargo (2 kids and my wife) and they are all that really matter to me. Still, stating the other obvious part... we love our toys and it hurts when a rare toy gets destroyed. Just want to make sure my comment wasn't taken out of context here. Had the OP not been as lucky, trust me, my post would have had a very different tone.

 

Glad you are ok! That was a nasty hit.