HRMINI

Hey all. Trixxie is ok, as far as I can tell. Someone pulled out of McDonalds on Mercury near I64. They proceeded to shoot straight across the road and before I could protect her, a gold Scion XB assaulted her. I can see a dent just infront of the side marker on the right side and the hood does not appear to be even. The mirror got turned all the way around and thank god the window was open all the way, or there would be glass all over. Right front rim has been scuffed on the outer ring as well as my center. Any suggestions for me to advise the insurance company for me to have her fixed properly. The black fende molding is ate up and no the paint at the edge is scraped up. Will put pictures up later.

Glad no one was hurt!

I'm guessing that the other driver was cited?

Just explain exactly what happened to the adjuster--they'll do an inspection.  In fact, you may want to type it all out and give the adjuster a copy.  When I had my accident in March, I described the impact in detail, yet the collision center still managed to miss the fact that my exhaust system had been pushed upwards.  This error caused the NEW bumper to begin melting ONTO the exhaust tip...hence,they had to get another new bumper and repair the exhaust system.

I agree with what Erika said Phillip, write it all out while it is fresh in your mind. Keep all emotions out of it.  As Joe Friday said in the old cop show, "just the facts sir."  I'm happy that you weren't hurt.  :icon_mrgreen:

You really have to drive defensively these days as drivers just don't care about the others around them or their actions.

So sorry to hear this. :icon_frown:

Sounds like there were no injuries involving life forms.  That's a positive point. :045:

I'm in agreement that you should write down your account while it's fresh in your mind. :045:  You never know if one of the other parties will change their story down the line. :PopcornEmoticon:  Surely keep the emotions out of it. 

Please don't take this as selfish self promotion. FYI and all those reading this, DO NOT let your insurance company representative direct you to any specific shop for repairs. You have the legal right to have your car fixed wherever you want. If you have a favorite body shop that you know and trust to do the work to your satisfaction, tell them. Most insurance companies will not argue the point.

The only statement I know of some companies useing is the one that states they will not warranty the repairs of a shop outside of there network shops. Not to worry, as most reputable body shops will warranty there work for as long as you own your car. Some paint warranties differ from one to another, but that's where doing your homework comes into play.

Good Luck with getting your MINI repaired, and hope you'll me Motoring again soon.

Hey, selfish self promotions require you to come out and say "Hey I do this". But yeah we are ok. I got everything written down.

Amen!  You have the right to choose!  Well put Howard!  :icon_mrgreen:

This is all true but insurance companies will typically try and direct their policy holder to do what's best. As for directing them to a particular shop; its not really about a warranty issue its more like this: you choose your own body shop that is not contracted with your respective insurance company-what the ins. co. will do then is cut you a check for repairs as opposed to dealing with the shop for you. At least that is what my company does. ~ stepping down from my insurance agent box now.
Good luck to you!

Trish,very well put. I figured someone else with some experience on one side of the fence or the other would have something to say, wether pro or con.

What you say is correct in every sense as well. I'm not sure what Company yoy work for, but I hope that more adjusters would at least try to be a bit more like you. In a word "FAIR". Afterall, we  are only trying to make a living. Speaking of which, I could very well be looking into the position of adjuster one day soon myself. I'm not getting any younger lol

BTW, who's Howard?

Oops...  I was looking at Bimini's username when I replied to you. heh...

It happens. I think I once called Sean (Mpetuos) Matt or something. He never called me out on it. Must have felt sorry for the old timer  :087:

Trish, I disagree for the most part. You say insurance companies will do what's best. But for whom? The insured/claimant or the insurance company itself. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the insurance companies who are in bed with bodyshops do get some sort of discount or favors for the insurance company referring work to them. Whether it's discounted labor, discounted parts, free towing, etc.

I've had insurance companies try to scare customers into taking their cars out of my shop and to one of their "preferred" shops. Some even tell the customers they can't "stand behind" the repairs if my shop did the work. It will be a cold day in h#ll when I need an insurer stand behind my repairs. By the way, we've had lifetime, nationwide warranties well before the insurance companies thought it was the right thing to do.

If some shops feel the need to discount their prices to get work, so be it. But I do think the customers need to be aware that the insurance companies get a "deal" when their car goes to a preferred shop. Also, some customers are never told they have an option to get the work done at a shop of their choice.

Additionally, I work with all insurance companies out there. Some I prefer to deal with over others. State Farm, for example, will not use anything but original equipment parts. No aftermarket/generic/copycat parts. Most others definitely advocate their use in repairing customers vehicles.

I didn't really want to get into writing a book on how the insurance adjuster/adjustments go thats kinda why I specified the co I work for will advise the customer to do what they want. I do not work for SF but anyhoo I can't speak for them all .....we do have shops that we will suggest but we do make a point of noting that the shop of choice is an option. It is the customers choice and I know that my preferred shop is not on my insurance company's list. That is also why the insurance co, at least the one I work for, will note that they/we will do all the negotiating w/$ stuff directly with the shops on our list and if a customer chooses to go elsewhere, present us-or have their respective shop present us with their estimate. We'll cut a check and the customer will deal with the rest. We know that shops understand depreciation of parts and labor expense so I don't know what else to tell you to get that bad taste of insurance co's out of your mouth. I don't know that we get any discount or "kick back" from the shops we list I just know that in order to be on that list, customer satisfaction is #1. From price, to convenience to courteousness.  Maybe we can chat about it sometime? I could talk insurance all day long; I never get tired of it!   Ask the hubby...no wait, I think he fell asleep on me LOL

People just need to know that in VA, THEY have the right to choose which shop to do business with. I have one insurance company in particular, that does indeed steer work to their shops, though they don't do it directly. I recently had a friend that was hit by their insured. They were given a list of shops that this company does business with and told they could take the car to any one of those shops. Now they didn't specifically say they HAD to go to one of those shops, but to the uninitiated, that's exactly what they heard. They were never told they could go anywhere with the estimate the insurance company had written.  When he found that out, he went off on the claims handler. Of course he got the standard "we never tell anyone they have go  to any particular shop".

But to get back on track, good luck with the repair of Trixxie. Who is the other guys company. Post up if ya need any more info. You have a pretty good assortment of insurance/repairer people here. We'll get ya through this.

Heck... I must not have noticed!!   :044:  Lord knows, I've answered to alot worse!!!!!   :045:

If you only knew what we really call ya!............ :044:

When I had my two accidents last year, I was able to choose the shop I wanted.  I have Nationwide, and they were very understanding of my choice.  I picked a shop around the corner because a neighbor across the street works there. 

Besides what has been stated, here is a litte more advice.  Make sure you get pictures.  I know they were not required, but I took photos with my phone each and every time.  They may not be the best resolution or clarity, but every bit counts.

Get a police statement, if possible.  I did not have one for the first accident, but the other driver and I exchanged information.  For the second accident, a hit-and-run, I'm sure it helped alot to get a police officer to come out and make a report.  I also had a witness, and I know we are not always so fortunate for that.

The only other thing that will really suck is if the person who hit you does not have car insurance.  Combine illegal aliens with no license, unemployment, and a stagflation economy, and you can easily get the picture on that one.

Please keep us informed if you need help with any repairs.  I'm in Denbigh, so I am just a hop away.   :023:

Denbigh, I have been there once, missed my turn... Haha. Thanks guys and gals. Geico is the at fault in this one and they have stated the mother of the driver has told them that her daughter was at fault. Geico said give them about 48 hours to get in touch with the other driver and they would call me back. Yippy Kiyi Yay..... More to come on this....

If ya need any help don't hesitate to contact me. Geico has a drive in at my shop two days a week, so I always have a Geico adjuster hanging around for something. They aren't bad depending on who the adjuster is. Let me know if ya have any problems.

Same ole' Insurance Company Story, we can get you took care of if you go to _______, they will get everything set back right.  (ME) Thats ok, I have a few people in mind that I know work on MINI Coopers instead of Domestic Cars. I want to take my car there. (INS) We cant guarantee their work, we do not: (Interupted) I don't take my car somewhere I do not know, especially if they do not have Ins and guarantee their work. (INS) Ok, how far are you from _______, we can get them to write up the damages and we'll give you a check for your inconvinience.

Well Trixxie gets looked at on Tuesday. I am happy, Kristen is doing good, and the baby, well I think its gonna be a boy. Jus tthe way she is carrying it and other little quirks.....

But thanks everyone for the support and help.

Off to the Adjusters shop.......

$254 and some change. Not to much damage to begin with that I could see. But anywho, Trixxie should be ok in the next few weeks and fully recovered.

yay  :038:

What exactly is getting repaired/replaced?

From what you showed me in the parking lot on the 27th, I figured the estimate would be higher...

Passenger side mirror
Black fender trim
Passenger wheel

Looks like these repairs are gonna be down in SC now.

Yup in SC. I do know a body man down there.