Car Accidents/Insurance/Repairs

[rich_t]

Wow...


Interesting thread.

I think I have learned a thing or two.

[RobJohnson]

Well if you want to pay more for your insurance premiums than your car payment then by all means -- the appraiser should always write for OEM.         

Huge difference between salvage yard and aftermarket parts also  -- the former is not written for on a two year old vehicle (this is from your other post).   No idea what everyone is smoking in IL, but there is a profession that needs to be overhauled in your state.

So adjusters do try to save the insurance company money by writing the use of aftermarket, non-OEM parts, you know the ones made in China that have poor fit and corrosion resistance? The shop carries the liability if these parts fail. As long as the hood does not fly open due to weak spot welds when you are going down the highway, every thing should be ok right?

Same along the lines of generic Rx drugs rights?   Sorry, unless the vehicle is a year or less old then aftermarket it is unless it is a safety item.   Like health insurance, you could not afford auto insurance if OEM parts were written for as standard.   

You pay insurance on a vehicle built with OEM parts.

Generic Drugs and Generic Parts are not the same, and you know it....keep beating your drum consumers know the truth. First off, I know of no Generic Drugs that are made in China....

You put aftermarket on a two year old vehicle that still has warranty on the rest of the car???? Sheet metal warranty on most new cars is 6/60000....

Aftermarket sheet metal parts are not even galvanized.......you really are not selling anyone on that "it will keep your rates down"   

It's pretty funny that State Farm uses no aftermarket sheet metal and everyone seems to be able to afford their rates......

[RobJohnson]

   

Hmmm, Crawford and Company is an independent appraisal firm -- I thought you said these are all insurance carrier hacks?   I am so confused.    They carbon copy an estimate then they should lose their license, and you should be reporting them.   You, or someone in your shop, should be a licensed appraiser also.   Play with fire long enough, screw over the wrong person, and then you risk kissing it goodbye.

Crawford writes by following guidelines set by each individual carrier.  Did you not read my post, or do you just like to twist things around? Like I said, they had many cars to look at, and would take a copy of my sheet back to the office with them. Once again, they carbon copy the estimate after they verify it is accurate.

In IL is it against the law to work off any estimate that is not on the shop's letterhead...as per the IL Collision Repair Act...(Public Act 093-0565) http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?name=093-0565  I don't know how you are used to doing things, but I am used to following state laws. This law actually protects consumers from both repair facilities and insruance companies....a vehcile owner even has to sign off on any supplements...it's their car and you need their authorizatrion...plain and simple.


Once again........THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS LICENSED APPRAISERS IN ILLINOIS...... But I forgot, you know more about this then I do because I am just one of those unethical body shops.

[RobJohnson]

“Good Hands” Slapped — US Supreme Court Tells Allstate “Nay”
-snip-

The district court decision found that Allstate actively referred unsuspecting claimants to its Sterling shops — even when those shops were providing poor service and some were given failing marks by Allstate’s own surveys.   Yet, Allstate had a financial interest in making Sterling profitable, so claims representatives continued to shove insureds and third parties to the Sterling shops, many of whom naively patronized the collision repair facilities on Allstate’s recommendation.  As a result, the court had no trouble appreciating the Texas Legislature’s concerns and desire to protect consumers.

-snip-

 

[RobJohnson]

State Farm is ok....they have spent alot of time in court! They are pretty good about letting you take it where you want to have it fixed.

They spend a lot of time in court?   for property damage claims?   


 



 

I have a feeling you never left the office.

State Farm was in a twenty year battle over aftermarket parts and consumer fraud.

Ever hear of Senator Trent Lott (R)......and Katrina?

I testified in three insurance fraud cases, two of which sent the attorneys to jail.   

Now that would be fun. I had the opportunity to help send a lawyer to prison once and I cooperated to my fullest extent. He did not harm me as much as he ripped off some other folks. (Missing money in his trust)

Like I said before I am sure you did a great job for your company.

I know I did as well, just different sides of the fence.

I did such a good job that when the agency manager for Country Companies/Farm Bureau had an accident, he insisted that I was the guy to oversee the reapairs and I had to  take off my tie and paint the vehicle  for him....his wife was even more picky with her Lexus, but I was able to always keep him happy and coming back they had alot of wrecks/deer hits... particular customers like particular managers...on top of both of our State Farm Agents and their employees,  a Pekin and Erie agent, the State Police, City Police and Sheriff Dept Employees...all wanted me to work on their cars for some reason....and we had five shops in town in competition with us...you don't get to that point by being fraudulent. My door rate was also the highest...quality is not free!


I do know one thing for sure, more and more people are paying out of pocket for repairs and others if it was not for insurance would not get the car fixed in the first place....so insurance is a necessary evil in the equation!

As for aftermarket parts...China did such a good job with crayons and our children's toys, we should trust them with crash parts as well?

I have enjoyed this debate, give those kids a hug!

[formerlurker]

Well if you want to pay more for your insurance premiums than your car payment then by all means -- the appraiser should always write for OEM.         

Huge difference between salvage yard and aftermarket parts also  -- the former is not written for on a two year old vehicle (this is from your other post).   No idea what everyone is smoking in IL, but there is a profession that needs to be overhauled in your state.

So adjusters do try to save the insurance company money by writing the use of aftermarket, non-OEM parts, you know the ones made in China that have poor fit and corrosion resistance? The shop carries the liability if these parts fail. As long as the hood does not fly open due to weak spot welds when you are going down the highway, every thing should be ok right?

Same along the lines of generic Rx drugs rights?   Sorry, unless the vehicle is a year or less old then aftermarket it is unless it is a safety item.   Like health insurance, you could not afford auto insurance if OEM parts were written for as standard.   

You pay insurance on a vehicle built with OEM parts.

Generic Drugs and Generic Parts are not the same, and you know it....keep beating your drum consumers know the truth. First off, I know of no Generic Drugs that are made in China....

You put aftermarket on a two year old vehicle that still has warranty on the rest of the car???? Sheet metal warranty on most new cars is 6/60000....

Aftermarket sheet metal parts are not even galvanized.......you really are not selling anyone on that "it will keep your rates down"   

It's pretty funny that State Farm uses no aftermarket sheet metal and everyone seems to be able to afford their rates......

You pay insurance on the age of the vehice you own.   Read the definition of betterment and you will understand the difference.    OEM parts are extremely expensive, and unnecessary for the most part.   You want them then pay betterment and you will get them. 

There are no licensed appraisers in IL?   HAHAHA, well that explains a great deal then.   Nevermind.   

State Farm -- you mean this case? 

Illinois Supreme Court Overturns $1 Billion State Farm Judgment
Consumer Advocates See It As A Bad Omen for Other Class Action Cases
 
The Illinois Suprme Court has thrown out a $1 billion class action judgment against State Farm Insurance over the use of so-called aftermarket auto parts for repairs.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/il_state_farm.html

The nation's No. 1 auto insurer, State Farm outlined three specific reasons for its appeal. First, the company's auto crash-parts costs were $4.8 million more than it expected in November 1999, which was the first full month after State Farm announced it was suspending the use of aftermarket crash parts. State Farm claims that costs will go even higher in the future.

I clicked out of this article before capturing the link, but this was from 2000 -- Ia not an actuary so I cannot give you the ramifications of this significant increase in costs as it relates to premium increase, but I can imagine the increase was significant (if they are still doing it).

Someone in the thread had asked which insurance carrier is the best, I would have to reply that USAA is.   Been with them for 20 years I think it is now and never have had a problem.   Customer service is always top notch.   

I need a break from this thread.   Property Damage claims bore me to absolute tears.   

[formerlurker]

CAPA oversees aftermarket parts don't they?    Honestly, I have to stop thinking about this stuff.   BAAAAAAH!!! 

[RobJohnson]

CAPA oversees aftermarket parts don't they?    Honestly, I have to stop thinking about this stuff.   BAAAAAAH!!! 

CAPA is owned by insurance companies.  Enough said.



OEM parts are necessary, especially if you car is still under factory warranty. You could actually void your warranty.