Crashed RX-8, need insurance advice
 

Okay so I wrecked my 8 yesterday and took out the whole rear end. I just got off the phone with the insurance company (progressive) and the body shop that has it. Progressive is trying to get me to have it towed and repaired at another shop that is preferred to guarantee the reapairs but the other shop has a pretty good rapport and is telling me they work to save the customer money on their deductible so they both have me swinging on a pendulum here. Anyone ever been in a similar situation? I gotta decide soon cuz i want my baby to start getting worked on ASAP. Thanks for advice

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Id just take it to another shop, Im sure there's a reason why your insurance is making you take it somewhere else. Then again, I really havent been in that situation.

Also in most states its illegal for a shop to help you save money on your deductable.

I've heard mixed reviews using/not using recommended bodyshops. If you use the recommended bodyshop the insurance company will attempt to correct any problems you may encounter when you get the car back.

On the other hand, I had a friend who wrecked his tiberon and it messed up the front wheels. Noticing the bodyshop covered most of the damage up and there was obvious frame damage to the car, the insurance company didn't do anything. Later on his whole front assembly came off his car while going 70mph on the freeway.

If it matters he had allstate, but I'm sure insurance companies don't matter. All they do is make a deal with several bodyshops in the area and spread out the work.

Take it to whom YOU are comfortable with. Screw what the insurance company has to say. Been there, done that. The insurance company will have an adjuster/rep come out and inspect your car. They will then tell you a dollar amount. When the car is in teh shop OF YOUR CHOOSING if it is more the shop and the insurance company will talk and adjust the dollar amount.

HTH,

Brian

the best thing ill tell you is stay on who ever is doing the jobs ass.call them daily let them let you come down to see the progress >If the shop feels the customer down their back you have a better chance that the job gets done right the first time.,I went through that with my wifes XB.came and went back to the shop 3 times.first was overspray everywhere.the next was a lose ground the car shutt off going down the road,the last was the wheel had a dent in it they missed it completely .at the end of the day I was down there almost at every lunch break to check on the car till it was right.good luck.

ouch! Just saw the pic; loose control in the rain?

I work for a insurance company. you dont have to take it to a prefer shop, by law in texas taht is. not sure what your state laws require, but in texas you are allowed to pick any shop you choose. even if the insurance company your with wants you to take it to a prefered shop.

You should be able to take it to the shop of your choice.

If it was me, I would choose a shop that emphasized doing a good job, not one that emphasized whittling down the deductable. Insurance companies aren't dumb. Accept that you're going to be out the deductable, and play it straight. That way you'll wind up with the shop as your advocate if the insurance company tries to go cheap, and you'll have the insurance company on your side if there's trouble with the work the shop does.

Ken

I've been in almost exactly the same situation (give me a few to explain). For your specific question, I would go with what your insurance carrier suggests as a preferred location. Obviouisly, the main objection to this (for most people) is that they think the preferred shop will lowball the amount to the insurance so that they dont pay you as much. It's not true, but believe what you will.

I totaled my first RX-8, so I think I have a good grasp on what you're going through. Just call them daily, ask about the status of your claim, and be persistent on making sure things are processed timely.

My car after the fact:
My poor, poor RX8 Mark 1

when my stereo got stolen from my accord and they tore up the dash in the process, the shop progressive sent me to did a fantastic job. They even paid out the cost of the radio in cash, and recommended me a good shop to get an aftermarket speaker setup instead of replacing the original stereo.

I'd be more afraid of the body shop you have in mind. Remember, if a shop progressive sends a customer to does a poor job, they could get sued, or be forced to have the job done right at their own expense. Fixing it right the first time helps their bottom line, so it's in their best intrest to send you to a good shop.

insurance companies have agreements with "preferred shops." they "guarantee" their work for life and and the insurance companies send them business. you just might get the bureaucratic run around if there is a problem.

+1 on checking on your car EVERY SINGLE DAY.

go with a body shop that is recommended by car clubs in your area.

it looks like you are getting a new exhaust as well so you might as well go aftermarket. check out turboxs, they include a midpipe and it will be cheaper than the stock exhaust. the reason why its cheaper is that the tips are too short though. you have to get them extended.

That car looks totaled.
Who cares what shop you take it to.

Taking care of your deductible is technically insurance fraud. If they are willing to do that to the insurance company, what will they do to you. I'd go elsewhere.

Listen to what he said :) u gotta listen to some old man sometimes ... :SHOCKED: :eek:

Seeing that rear end makes me cringe a little bit..

...

OKAY, maybe a lotta bit.

Wow, u guys really think it's totalled? It looks like pretty much everything in the rear end needs replaced but totalled, I don't think so. Atleast I hope I'm right. I decided to leave it where it's at and let them do it because 1) They've been in business for way longer than the preferred shop 2) My granpda lives down the street from the owner and they're real good friends 3) I have family and friends that have work done with them and have always been satisfied and 4) my stepdad made a good point about how most of the work is going to be cosmetic and that I won't have this car for a whole lot longer so I don't really need to worry needing that guarantee since I will probably only have the car for another 5 years or so and that these guys have a proven track record so chances of something going wrong are slim to none.

But ya the rear tires were alot balder than I had realized from being a dumbass and doing donuts frequently in the last 2 months so I was doing around 70 on the freeway yesterday and fishtailed, lost control and blasted the guardrail with the rear end. Amazingly the car from the rear wheels up were not scratched. I'll keep this thread updated with what happens though, thanks for advice.

If it is an 04, I would say yes for sure.
If it were an 07, you got a chance, but who would want a car with frame damage. If the wrinkling is in front of the rear subframe . . . . . . it will never be the same car again.

So it was bald tires that caused this accident?
There are only 2 important parts of a car.
1. The tires - they are the only thing actually in contact with the road while driving

2. the brakes - A car that will not start is a small problem. A car that will not stop is huge problem

I disagree. It worked really for John McLain against that helicopter.

I disagree with that statements because the car clubs in my area prefer maaco!

Let us know that happens. SO what'd you do?

John McLain the theatre/stage actor?

Or did you just make a (misspelled) attempt to draw politics in to a body shop thread?

Jesus man. I wouldn't take it to either of those places. The "insurance preferred" shop is complete bullshit. Forget it... no way they're touching my car because they simply fix it for as cheap as possible and then clown you into believing that a "lifetime guarantee" means something. A good shop will throw that in without backing from the insurance company.

I'd never let a place that specializes in burying the deductible touch my car. Crooks. Cheap work. Suck.

Let the best, most reputable, skilled, and detail oriented shop in town do the job. Pay the f'ing deductible and get the job done right. I have a shop that does just that, I can't be more pleased with their work.

u obviously didn't read my last post. The place that I'm having the work done told me they'd try to save my a couple of dollars an hour on the deductible not like hundreds and they're very reputable actually. Some of my distant family has had work done there and was very satisfied plus my college gets all of their vehicles doen by them when they have needs for repairs. But Ya I should around Tuesday or so what's gonna happen so I'll let eveyone know. U guys should start a bet on whether they total it or not lol..........:uhh:

Good Luck.

Thanks :/