[wallstreet123456]

Hi everyone:
I got rear ended in a parking lot on Sunday not to bad but bumper is scratched and rear hatch has a scrap and two fist size dents. I am going through other parties insurance it is firemans fund. Hondas estimate for repair is $811.87. I want Hondas body shop to do the work since car is only 3 months old and I want to go after Honda if there is a problem with the repair down the road. Do I have a choice in this matter???? What if adjuster says repair should cost less than $811.87.

Never had an accident or had to deal with an adjuster before.

Any help would be appreciated. I think adjusted is coming by today

Steven

 

[BrianB]

That estimate sounds low. We paid $762 to have the just the rear bumper cover replaced from a hit an run. And this price was the adjusted down in price for not using insurance and AAA discount. We used an independent body shop that was recommended and I had seen their completed work on a friends Honda.

The Honda parts alone were $404.75 and broke down as follows:
Rear bumper cover 04715-S0X-A90ZZ $335.00
Rear bumper clip 91503-SZ3-003 $ 2.05
Rear bumper clip 91503-SZ3-003 $ 2.05
Rear bumper step pad 71510-S0X-A00 $ 16.50
Rear bumper impact C 71570-S0X-A00 $ 65.65

The labor was $264.60 to paint the new bumper to match the van, install the parts, and inspect the rest of the bodies impact area for other damage.

And there were also miscellaneous changes, paint, and taxes that added up to $92.65. Given this is CA, there are always these mystery charges (taxes, disposal charges, EPA, ?? ).

Hope the info helps
BrianB

 

[sinbad]

If the insurer of the adverse driver will not pay Honda's estimate, then file suit in small claims court. Have the Honda adjuster testify as to the damages, and you will win.

 

[wallstreet123456]

File suit against who, Insurance Co?

 

[sinbad]

You sue the adverse driver. He is the one who caused the damage. He will notify his insurance company and they will either try to settle the suit on his behalf, or else provide him with a lawyer to defend the case at trial.

 

[turnipgreen]

You are probably worrying prematurely. At least in my past, when the other party is at fault their insurance company is usually pretty accomodating, since they would prefer to settle as quickly as possible. Normally insurance companies have a some body shops that are "pre approved", and thus the adjuster doesn't even get involved, they just pay what the body shop asks. Otherwise, the adjuster will probably use the same software and prices to do the estimate that the body shop uses, and in our cases it has always been pretty close.

In our state if you are in an accident, you must file a form with the state to indicate if everything was settled. If the other party does not settle properly, their drivers license can be revoked.

Now, if it was your fault, I've had a different encounter with my own insurance company. They aren't as motivated to settle, since all they will end up losing is your business, which doesn't seem that important around here.

 

[shindog]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by wallstreet123456:
Hi everyone:
I want Hondas body shop to do the work since car is only 3 months old and I want to go after Honda if there is a problem with the repair down the road. Do I have a choice in this matter???? What if adjuster says repair should cost less than $811.87.

Steven</font>

In California, you have certain rights in regards to insurance claims. No insurance company can force you to use any particular shop. It is unlawfull to do so. They may have "preferred" shops with prenegotiated rates, but I NEVER use any of those shops.

I'm REALLY anal about auto body repair. When my wife got rear ended, I searched ALL around the SF Bay Area to find a shop that could do the quality of work I wanted. I only found one shop capable of doing so. I want my car looking so good, it's almost impossible (and I mean ALMOST, perfection can't be done) to detect the repair.

My advice, use the shop YOU feel good about. The shop, if it is good, will also have lots of experience working with various insurance companies to make sure your car gets fixed right and they get paid what they deserve. Go with what you are comforatble with, and never let an insurance company or the other party dictate how you fix YOUR car.

Also, check you local laws; I'm pretty sure the rights of insurance claimers is similar wherever you are.

Good Luck!

------------------
-Shin John
'01 DEP EX, and I'm workin' on it! (slowly)

 

[Intrepid175]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by turnipgreen:
Now, if it was your fault, I've had a different encounter with my own insurance company. They aren't as motivated to settle, since all they will end up losing is your business, which doesn't seem that important around here.</font>

I'm not so sure about that. Insurance is there to cover accidents. Sooner or later, most of us have them. If you're a long time client with a good record, they should pay up and keep quiet about it, especially if the claim is less then $1,000!

If you do have a good record and they're giving you a lot of grief about honoring their side of the insurance contract, that may be considered a breach of contract. In our area, if I'm not mistaken, that can cost them up to triple damages and woe be unto them if they try to drop you because of it.


------------------
Drive Safe,
Steve R.
'01 SS LX
Cargo tray, leather steering wheel, mud guards, alarm, fog lights, transmission cooler, in-dash CD player, Kelton subwoofer, under seat storage tray.

 

[Homer]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Intrepid175:
In our area, if I'm not mistaken, that can cost them up to triple damages and woe be unto them if they try to drop you because of it.</font>

Ah yes, insurance bad faith! Music to the ears of the plaintiff's bar!!!

 

[latichever]

Here's an email comment from a friend of mine in NM in response to my letting him know that I too was getting an Odyssey:

"Don't hit anything with the fender at any speed. I have now had two small collisions and the total cost is $2500. It costs about $1300 here each time you hit the fender (fiber glass or plastic that doesn't bounce back.)"

 

[shindog]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by latichever:

"Don't hit anything with the fender at any speed. I have now had two small collisions and the total cost is $2500. It costs about $1300 here each time you hit the fender (fiber glass or plastic that doesn't bounce back.)"
</font>

Fender? Does he mean maybe bumper cover? There's no plastic in a fender. And I don't think there's any fiberglass in the Ody body structure to my knowledge.

If you get rear ended and have to get a new bumper cover and bumper, that might be in the $1300 range. The front may be worse, but I have no experience crashing/fixing the Ody (knock on wood!). Two "little" fender benders can easily add up to $2500 due to "hidden" damage behind panels, but that's true with just about any unibody design.


------------------
-Shin John
'01 DEP EX, and I'm workin' on it! (slowly)

 

[starlight]

Based on the damage you are describing, my gut feeling is that the repair cost would be higher. Check the estimate. Better still, get another estimate from another dealer.

Here in California, you need to inform DMV about property danmage, if greater than a certain amount.

My Insurance Agent filed it on my behalf (without informing me) and, guess what ? It shows up on my driving record.

When I switched insurance, It created a headache for me, as I had to prove that it was not my fault.

So much for the law on your side !!

 

[robr2]

I recently had the bumper cover on my Accord resprayed without the benefit of insurance (woman who hit me paid out of pocket) and that was $185.

Here in MA you typically file with your insurance company. The adjuster comes out, looks at it and usually hands you a check for the damage amount (less deductible if applicable). They then give you a list of bodyshops they recommend (which you don't have to use) and then it's up to you to have it fixed. If the amount is insufficient, the body shop will call the adjuster back and go to bat for you. Your insurance then goes after the other insurance companies involved for payback.

I've never had to deal directly with the another company.

 

[TWEX02]

Steven,

"Honda body shop" is a little misnomer. You probably went to a body shop maintained or referred by a Honda dealer.

A dealer's body shop may not be the best in town. Ask around and do research about independent body shops. You may find out that the independent body shops do much better job than the dealerships.

Then get three estimates and ask the other guy's insurance company to pay for body shop of your choice.

No you can't go after "Honda Motor company" if the dealers' body shop messes up your car. It is only the dealer who will deal with you.


email me if you have questions.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by wallstreet123456:
Hi everyone:
I got rear ended in a parking lot on Sunday not to bad but bumper is scratched and rear hatch has a scrap and two fist size dents. I am going through other parties insurance it is firemans fund. Hondas estimate for repair is $811.87. I want Hondas body shop to do the work since car is only 3 months old and I want to go after Honda if there is a problem with the repair down the road. Do I have a choice in this matter???? What if adjuster says repair should cost less than $811.87.

Never had an accident or had to deal with an adjuster before.

Any help would be appreciated. I think adjusted is coming by today

Steven</font>

------------------
TW EX 02 Fog S-Guards (looking for interesting mods)

 

[turnipgreen]

I agree with the comment about finding a body shop other than the dealer. Earlier in life I thought I should use the dealer to do body work, big mistake. I've found that the small guy does a better job in this market.

On the insurance question, I have a pretty clean record (nothing my fault since 1989), but I recently found that my own insurance company was happy to see me when signing up for insurance but not so nice when you need something. Needless to say I packed up the whole shabang and went elsewhere. Of course I won't know how this works out until I need something (don't trust them now, I've now rated insurance agents down with used car salesmen and Osama Bin Laden).

 

[Maugham]

I've been very happy with State Farm. I was using different companies for various types of insurance until a relative lost his house in a disaster. State Farm came through immediately, no hassles and no questions asked. So, I switched all my coverage to them and have had good experience.

I've had only one claim but the adjuster checked out the damage thoroughly and even found a couple of things that needed fixing that I had missed.

Regards,

Maugham