[Mazen]

Hey guys

I got into an accident a few days ago, I towed the car to Park Ave BMW and let the insurance company know that I want the car fixed at THAT dealership when I claimed, they said it's fine.

I got a call yesterday with an estimate ($5200) and they told me that because Park Ave charges $130/hour for labor and that they could only get it down to $115/hour they are only willing to pay $65/hour for labor so I would either have to pay the difference myself (on top of the deductible), or take it to some other shop they recommend and work with.

No body damage, only mechanical (rear driver side tyre, rim, arm...)I really want the dealership to work on it for piece of mind.

Is that normal, anyone had that happen to them (if so what did they end up doing)? Can the insurance company actually get away with that (didn't put any limit on labor cost in the contract)? and if I have no choice, what do you recommend I do (any really good shops, or should I pay the difference and fix at dealership?)

Thanks

[blue2fire]

So how many hours did they estimate it would take them for the repair?

[Mazen]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

So how many hours did they decide to bill you for the repair?

the insurance guy said the difference was around $1000 so i'm guessing about 20 hours.

[Craig@SupremePower]

What insurance company is this??

[Mazen]

Originally Posted by Craig@SupremePower

What insurance company is this??

Progressive
And get this I have some points on my license and I'm only 20 and I've only had a license for 1.5 years so my premium is $4000/6 months.

[Craig@SupremePower]

DAMN....

Originally Posted by Mazen

Progressive
And get this I have some points on my license and I'm only 20 and I've only had a license for 1.5 years so my premium is $4000/6 months.

[blue2fire]

Mazen , it does look to me like an insurance company is within it's rights to decline authorizing a repair if it feels that the estimate is not in line with other local Garages. There is nothing that can stop them from doing that.

[Millzin]

i think you should leave progressive , or change the driver on the policy. 8k a year on insurance, that nutz, switch your licenese address and put the policy under your parents name. i did so and my 1year policy is under 1100

[Mazen]

Originally Posted by Millzin

i think you should leave progressive , or change the driver on the policy. 8k a year on insurance, that nutz, switch your licenese address and put the policy under your parents name. i did so and my 1year policy is under 1100

That's the thing I don't have any parents here, I'm an international student and my only address is my place in Fort Lee NJ

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by Millzin

i think you should leave progressive , or change the driver on the policy. 8k a year on insurance, that nutz, switch your licenese address and put the policy under your parents name. i did so and my 1year policy is under 1100

Nothing you do will hide a record of your previous travails from them.

[Mazen]

so do you guys think I should pay the difference or take it somewhere else?

[CV335]

I've dealt with both State Farm and Geico when claiming damages from other people hitting my previous car....it is a pretty standard request to get the car fixed in an authorized shop. In one of two occasions I took it to a non-authorized shop without problems, but I guess the hourly rate wasn't different from the insurance company standards.

[to_riffic]

damn 4k/6 months is insane. hopefully u can find a shop just as good that cna fix it.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by Mazen

so do you guys think I should pay the difference or take it somewhere else?

It depends on how you feel really:

If you want the (Sometimes misleading) peace of mind, go for the Dealer but be sure to negotiate with the insurance company before you pay the $1000 (These things are not set in stone).

Some Independent shops are as good as the dealer and you can ask to get it inspected there after all the repairs are complete

BTW: Just wanted to say that in all probability, this accident will appear in the Carfax/Autocheck report and may impede a sale when you finally decide to let it go. Get lots of pictures and keep all receipts you can.

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by Mazen

Progressive
And get this I have some points on my license and I'm only 20 and I've only had a license for 1.5 years so my premium is $4000/6 months.

Holy shit. That's more than I pay for three cars for the whole year for two people.

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by Mazen

so do you guys think I should pay the difference or take it somewhere else?

Take it to the shop recommended by insurance. They don't deal with fly-by-night operations so the repairs will be fine. Any work done by an insurance certified shop will be warranted, so you're covered. $1000 is not worth some mythical peace of mind. Dealerships fuck up just as often, if not more often, than independent shops.

[Mazen]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

BTW: Just wanted to say that in all probability, this accident will appear in the Carfax/Autocheck report and may impede a sale when you finally decide to let it go. Get lots of pictures and keep all receipts you can.

I will take pictures first thing tomorrow and will keep the receipts thanks for the reminder. Do you think BMW can recommend a shop in the area? ( I know it's like shooting themselves in the foot but.....)

Any NJ or NY residents out there that can recommend a good mechanic?

[dukevi]

20 years old here... 2000 dollars/year (Well its geico...)
International Student too :S

[Mazen]

Originally Posted by dukevi

20 years old here... 2000 dollars/year (Well its geico...)
International Student too :S

NJ is notorious for having the most expensive insurance rates in America I wish I can move my address somewhere else

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by methodtim

Take it to the shop recommended by insurance. They don't deal with fly-by-night operations so the repairs will be fine. Any work done by an insurance certified shop will be warranted, so you're covered. $1000 is not worth some mythical peace of mind. Dealerships fuck up just as often, if not more often, than independent shops.

Harsh but very true.

Originally Posted by Mazen

I will take pictures first thing tomorrow and will keep the receipts thanks for the reminder. Do you think BMW can recommend a shop in the area? ( I know it's like shooting themselves in the foot but.....

Dont know but did i tell you that i think you place too much importance on having it done by a dealer?

Just ask for a list of shops that the insurance companies regularly use and get started on Googling reviews.

[Mazen]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

Dont know but did i tell you that i think you place too much importance on having it done by a dealer?

I just want to be able to tell the next prospective owner that the damage was fixed by a BMW dealership. IMO that's a good way to keep the person from running like hell after he/she sees the damage on the carfax report.

[Craig@SupremePower]

Originally Posted by Mazen

NJ is notorious for having the most expensive insurance rates in America I wish I can move my address somewhere else