Got rear ended - Question about dealing with the insurance company

[shadowyman]

Hello all,

I got rear ended while merging into hwy entrance. I got '16 AY full config with all m perf parts. The rear bumper got damaged and tail light got broken. The other party's insurance is State Farm. They took responsibility. I told them I wanted to go to the shop I would like. They said I needed to bring in the car first for an appointment with their appraiser to have an estimate for repairs.

I have never had to meet with insurance like this before. So is this heard of? My shop is good at matching colors, basically an expert and he charges higher. In CA, I have right to have it repaired at a shop I choose. I am pretty sure their estimate will be very low. Could this be an issue?

I would like to hear other people who can help me in this process.

[FriedPiston]

Sorry to hear about the accident. Tell the other party's insurance to suck it, and to have their appraiser come inspect the car at the body shop of your choice.

[nujabes24]

I hope they match bro. My rear end bumper got demolished by some lady reversing at like 30mph in a parking lot. Inknow the rear tail light was like 9hundred something. The rear bumper for mineral white was hard to match. After they fisnished the paint just didn't match right. After researching I found a good shop and paid out of pocket to get it matched. Good luck man!

[RickFLM4]

I went through my own insurance company who subrogated to the other driver's insurance company. My insurance company sent an appraiser out. He knew the guy from the BMW dealer body shop and matched his estimate. Got work done, paid deductible and got reimbursed shortly thereafter by the other driver's insurance company. Very easy and not at all surprised the insurance company wants an appraiser to look at it. I only needed a new bumper cover. My paint matches perfectly (SO).

[Race_Doc11]

Happened to me in my Rs5 last year. Go to the appointment with the appeaser and he will probably cut you a check right on the spot. The check covers only what he can see and that might be less than the actual damage. You can take your car to the shop you want and they will deal with appeaser if more parts are needed. Since it is not your fault you should not pay anything.

[boss2k]

Take it to your body shop, file a claim with ur insurance company and have your insurance handle the subrogation process, that's what I did

Also start the diminished value claim process

[Tobes]

Originally Posted by Race_Doc11

Happened to me in my Rs5 last year. Go to the appointment with the appeaser and he will probably cut you a check right on the spot. The check covers only what he can see and that might be less than the actual damage. You can take your car to the shop you want and they will deal with appeaser if more parts are needed. Since it is not your fault you should not pay anything.

Agree. I had them cut me a check on the spot for the appraisal. I was a little bit alarmed at this as I knew it would be more expensive. Was allowed to take the car where I wanted. The body shop dealt with their insurance for the balance once the work was done. You have the right to go to whoever you want. Not your fault they hit you. OP, sorry you gotta deal with this. They should have to pay you for "pain and suffering" as well as "diminished value" ;-)

[DML]

You don't have to go anywhere they like, your choice.

[Fast4d]

state farm is usually easy to deal with. have your shop contact the adjuster for the difference.

[TurboM]

Originally Posted by Fast4d

state farm is usually easy to deal with. have your shop contact the adjuster for the difference.

Take the car to a shop of your choice and their insurance adjuster will meet you there. DO NOT follow their insurance company's instructions. GL

[M.Power]

Never follow the insurance companies recommendation. They always try to bullshit you into thinking that you have to take it to their preferred shop, which is not true.. you can take it anywhere you choose.

[BKM32017]

Look into a diminished value claim. You should be entitled to claim DV as well after your car is repaired.

[nyalpine90]

Originally Posted by BKM32017

Look into a diminished value claim. You should be entitled to claim DV as well after your car is repaired.

very interesting, my wifes car was hit twice last year while it was parked and rear ended. both times x1 was repair by bmw shop. can she claim DV?

[Pixel8ed]

Follow the instructions or not, it wont make a bit of difference. Their adjustor will see the car before they release any money either way. All they want is to make sure someone isn't adding things to the parts list that don't need to be there. I used to be a car painter. and have seen people only screw themselves time after time trying to get one over on the insurance. If you want it to be quick and smooth do what they say. If you want the car to sit on the body shop lot for a few months... that, is when you try to do it your way instead.

They don't BS you into going to one of their shops. They do try, because the shop has earned their trust and will go with what they say. They will also put a guarantee on the work. Take it where you want, and you lose the guarantee and have to wait on an adjustor to come see the car.

Its a lot of stupid Red Tape. but when you do it their way it is smoother and faster.