I was in a fender bender earlier today. Did some damage to passenger side front bumper and fender. My insurance company said I can take it to one of their certified body shops and the work will be guaranteed for as long as I own the vehicle. My question is should I do that or is it better to take it back to a dealer?
Fender bender
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Yeah, most dealers don't have a real auto body shop. They have "a guy" or contract a shop to do the work and make it look like they are actually the service point. So long as everything is good, then it works great, but the minute you start to have a problem with something they start distancing themselves right away and start referring you to "the place that did the work" to handle that. Big PIA. Take it to where you want to take it. The insurance company doesn't cut the check until you sign off on the job, so.......
Most dealers don't do body work. The damage to my '14 was handled by a shop about 15 miles away.
Often the shops that the dealers use are the same as the ones the insurance companies use.
If it was me I would go through the insurance company, but get a list of shops from them and do some research. Don't be afraid to visit the shop and have them show you some work. Let them know up front what insurance company will be picking up the tab and ask what he thinks of them. A good response usually means the company will pay to get the job done right.
Often the shops that the dealers use are the same as the ones the insurance companies use.
If it was me I would go through the insurance company, but get a list of shops from them and do some research. Don't be afraid to visit the shop and have them show you some work. Let them know up front what insurance company will be picking up the tab and ask what he thinks of them. A good response usually means the company will pay to get the job done right.
Please, please, please.......run from the dealer connected shop as well as the insurance company certified shop. The hourly rate they get paid either from the dealer or the insurance company is reduced. All part of the deal. Less $$ means less time , means less quality. I have no idea where you are located but a week or two of research into shops in your area will be worth it in the long run. Where do the high end dealers send their cars? Talk to 'the guy' who does your mechanical work. Talk to your neighbors who seem to be particular about their cars and ask them about work they have had done. Have your wife then look at repair color and metallic particle lay in sunlight to see if it matches. Spend 5 minutes on your computer looking up 'automotive paint color blending' so you know what it is. Wander into a detail shop and talk them up about good shops. I live a few miles from Fields Jeep (Pat) and there is a superb shop..Glenview Auto Body..that has worked on my cars the few times they have needed repair. It cost me only the deductible, they did all the argument with adjusters, they will not use crap parts and they remove parts rather than mask and do an all around great job. Also, in Illinois, you do not have to do the 3 estimate song and dance. The upside is on a '14 chances are good you will get factory parts. Soooo, when you are done you will place the card from your body shop next to the those from your doctor, mechanic and lawyer.....all people you select before you need them.
Wrench,
In most states, (pretty sure IL) the rates an insurance pays are approved by the state insurance dept. The insurance company pays the same rate to everybody. If you paid your deductible you did the right thing and got a good job.
When you hear somebody bragging that the shop saved their deductible, that's when you can be pretty sure they got an inferior repair. The shops don't give away their work.
In most states, (pretty sure IL) the rates an insurance pays are approved by the state insurance dept. The insurance company pays the same rate to everybody. If you paid your deductible you did the right thing and got a good job.
When you hear somebody bragging that the shop saved their deductible, that's when you can be pretty sure they got an inferior repair. The shops don't give away their work.
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