Dealing with car insurance people

[Intrinsic]

Well, I have to file my first ever claim for an at fault accident [brain fart moment, back my car into another, forgetting they were there], which happened on a friend's driveway anyways, it's my first time ever having to make a claim.
Now when I went to the body shop to get an estimate [actually got 3 estimates that day], one of the guys said that insurance companies will only deal with after market or used parts and not new/OEM. Which pissed me off kind of, considering my car is only 2 years old.

Now the question is this, for those of you who have dealt with claims before, any suggestions on how to go about handling this all? I found a part that I needed on kijiji for cheap [used of course and OEM] so I was thinking about telling claims that if they were to go for a new after market part, I'd much rather get a used OEM part that's in great shape.

They have a first forgiveness policy and my deductible is $400, the repairs will run between $2500-$4000.

Anyhow, if any of you have suggestions or ideas on how to go about handling these low life companies, I'd love to hear any advice or input.

 

[TheDr]

Talk with your insurance broker and / or claims adjuster. They should be able to let you know your companies policies.

 

[jackflerj]

From the insurances POV, a claim is a claim whether its $1 or 1 million. If your broker tells you otherwise it's a flat out lie. Going out of your way to save them money won't decrease the hit you take from the accident. Also you have the right to take it to any repair shop you feel comfortable with.

Find the most expensive quote (usually from the dealership) and pay the deductible. Forget it ever happened.

 

[Intrinsic]

Not trying to decrease the hit I take from the accident, but I'd rather have an OEM part than an after market part. Let's assume I go for the most expensive quote, I was told that the adjuster may come to the body shop and tell them at the shop which parts to get or what not. Can they do that? Or does the body shop order the parts, I show them the bill and they just pay it up? I'm definitely not using the shop that the insurance company works with.

 

[jackflerj]

Not trying to decrease the hit I take from the accident, but I'd rather have an OEM part than an after market part. Let's assume I go for the most expensive quote, I was told that the adjuster may come to the body shop and tell them at the shop which parts to get or what not. .

Thats why you go to the dealership. It's been a while (over 15 years) but at the time my dealership used oem parts. In your case, even if the dealership doesn't use oem parts I would trust their warranty above anyone else's.

Can they do that? Or does the body shop order the parts, I show them the bill and they just pay it up? I'm definitely not using the shop that the insurance company works with.

Talk to the mechanic at your local dealership (ensure they're using original parts), then give the location to your insurance company. Your work is done.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

Check to see what your insurer will do for you. My understanding is that they must make your vehicle whole, meaning they must bring it back to the same condition it was before. I took my car to the dealer, my insurer told me to take it where I want to take it.

 

[strongman38]

Alot of times it depends on what is stated in your policy.Alot as in almost all,insurance companies will bill full price or oem to the companies than offer you the difference in price to you use off brand parts and pay you the difference in cash usually500-1000 difference for parts offen made by the same companies just rebranded.

 

[Intrinsic]

Thanks, had an inkling that posting here would give me some good input. I have to deal with a garage to replace some guts of the engine and the headlamps. Then of course there's the cosmetic bit as well. So there's a mechanic visit as well as a body shop visit.

However the body shop I am dealing with which impressed me upon going to them last week, said they'll replace the guts under the hood and do the cosmetic stuff as well.
Which I was surprised to hear, but again, they impressed me of all 4 body shops I visited last week.

 

[pusher69]

OP, how much were the estimates that you got for your car and what are you planning on doing with the claim on the other car?

If the damage is minimal, pay out of pocket.
If you make a claim, even though your insurance may give you the 1 time foregiveness... it will be on your insurance profile for 6 years.

 

[shakenbake]

one of the guys said that insurance companies will only deal with after market or used parts and not new/OEM. Which pissed me off kind of, considering my car is only 2 years old.
.

I would stay away from that scammer. Insurance companies will and do use OEM parts, even in a 7 year old car. Personal experience, but not with my own car or accident that I had. You have to watch out for unscrupupous repair shops.

 

[Intrinsic]

Well, I found a superb body shop and just got my car on Wednesday, absolutely stellar job. Plus, I got aftermarket parts on a few things that were CAPA certified (something I learned in this process) as well as a great deal on a used OEM part which was just over a 1/4 the price of an OEM part.

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. If you'd like to know the body shop, just drop me a message.