Hosed - What can my friend do now? (long) - Page 2

David Fermani · 08-15-07, 08:25

What motivation does a shop have to listen to an insurance agent? Who is he to them? Unless he's connected to the Mob?

94BlkStang · 08-15-07, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

What motivation does a shop have to listen to an insurance agent? Who is he to them? Unless he's connected to the Mob?

You've taken this totally out of context as you have zero to lose to ask your agent to help you correct?

Let's just leave this as we agree to disagree. Fair enough?

Jimmy Buffit · 08-16-07, 02:01

94blkstang said, "I'm not talking Geico, Progressive or any of the other discount places where personal contact is at a minimum"

I work closely with a local Progressive Claim Center. They send me alot of work - prolly $25,000 per year. They are extremely professional, and they have very high expectations.

Regarding the personal contact issue, I just assume you have not been to a Progressive Claim Center - they'll overwhelm you with Customer Service...

I'm not personally insured by them, but I'll consider them next time around.

Jim

JuneBug · 08-16-07, 05:51

Is good bodywork a dying art? I had my Chevy Alvalanche repaired a few years ago by a guy that I worked with years before and knew very well. He was the owner/manager of a well respected shop at the time and I didn't think twice about trusting him. He kept the truck a month, then rushed it out after the insurance company called and what did I get, doors that didn't line up, 1/2" gaps at the top - rubber seal barely making contact (should have heard the wind noise!) swirls, halograms, stinky smell inside, etc. I took it back and they did a little better, I ended up trading it a few months later. The guy that owned the shop later had to sell it - seems he got in some trouble with the insurance companies and they took him to court, I don't know the details but I'm glad he lost.

David Fermani · 08-16-07, 06:00

Real body men that "work" sheet metal are definitely a dying breed. When you do find one, you'll just have to hope that he's paired up with the same caliber of painter! Basically what you'll find now a days is a bunch of part replacers that don't like to repair anything.

Scottwax · 08-16-07, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Was it an insurance company paid repair through a damage claim or just side work? How much did shop originally charge him for the repair? I assume the $10K was the cost to correct the initial repair + punitive damages?

State Farm gave my brother $6000 for the hail damage to his 3 month old truck. Instead of listening to my other brother and I, he decided to price shop. Found a place that would do the work for $3400. Told him he should have me go down and look at their work but he swore up and down he saw the show cars they had painted and they knew what they were doing. Ha!

Runs, sags, fisheyes, visible sanding marks under the paint, grey primer overspray in all the doorjambs, overspray all over his wheels, paint didn't match, etc. He gave them 2 opportunities to fix it right and each time they made it worse. When he took it to the shop my other brother and I had recommended for an evaluation, my brother found out the supposedly OEM hood they put on was aftermarket. Paint thickness readings were 17 to 41 mils!!!!! The 3 estimates my brother got to restore he truck were from $8500 to $12,400, mostly depending on whether or not some of the heavy overspray could be removed or if the wheels, weather stripping, etc, would have to be replaced due to the overspray.

Scottwax · 08-16-07, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Would it make any difference if their insurance company called you to work it out? No way!!

If you want any chance of referrals from that insurance company, you'd make good on the complaint (assuming it is valid). Some people don't care but some do care about their reputation.

94BlkStang · 08-16-07, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Buffit

94blkstang said, "I'm not talking Geico, Progressive or any of the other discount places where personal contact is at a minimum"

I work closely with a local Progressive Claim Center. They send me alot of work - prolly $25,000 per year. They are extremely professional, and they have very high expectations.

Regarding the personal contact issue, I just assume you have not been to a Progressive Claim Center - they'll overwhelm you with Customer Service...

I'm not personally insured by them, but I'll consider them next time around.

Jim

My comment wasn't in anyway meant to be a slam to them and I probably didn't say it the right way as I was just trying to emphasis the difference between those insurance companies that still have personal agents that you build long term relationships with. I've had a few encounters with Progressive and like you said their people have been very professional and responded quickly.

Scottwax · 08-16-07, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Buffit

I'm not personally insured by them, but I'll consider them next time around.

Hope you like supporting extreme liberal causes then, Progressive is a huge moveon.org supporter and by supporter, I mean millions of dollars a year in financial support.

Progressive Insurance Founder Finances Liberal Politics (OneNewsNow.com)

JuneBug · 08-16-07, 09:27

Well, that's enough for me not to switch to Progressive. Like Churchhill said," If you're not a liberal by twenty, you don't have a heart - if you're not a conservative by thirty - you don't have a brain."

757motoring · 08-16-07, 05:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Fermani

What motivation does a shop have to listen to an insurance agent? Who is he to them? Unless he's connected to the Mob?

Maybe I read wrong or jump the gun when I wrote my first post that he took it to whatever shop he wanted. On another hand insurance companys can ruin a business If a customer is unhappy with a repair that wasn't done correct we had agents come back Yes now I understand you was speaking of DRP's when you say thats the only time you can step in.

DaGonz · 08-16-07, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Hope you like supporting extreme liberal causes then, Progressive is a huge moveon.org supporter and by supporter, I mean millions of dollars a year in financial support.

Progressive Insurance Founder Finances Liberal Politics (OneNewsNow.com)

If Progressive Insurance did referrals for detaliing and sent business your way, would you turn it down based on politics?