So my girlfriend (ladys2k) had her baby vandalized a couple days ago. Someone slashed the top and went through everything and left the door open. We filed a claim through insurance and I am dropping it off at a Local Honda dealership tomorrow but while she was talking to the insurance adjuster, he was saying something like "we have the option to find a cheaper way to replace the top because honda is going to try to use OEM and it's expensive" or some shit like that...blah blah. Can they put a used top on or something? We don't really care if they go aftermarket as long as it looked like the way it was before it got slashed. Her car is always garage kept and has low miles so the original top was in incredible condition being an 05. I searched but only found some old threads and maybe after a decade someone could share more up to date info on what they delt with etc.

 

I wouldn't settle for used - they have to use OEM quality, so maybe a Robbins top, but I wouldn't settle for used. I've never heard of any insurance company putting a used top on an S fwiw, but I will tell you this - do NOT go to your insurance company's chosen body shop. Use an independent shop that will do the job right and will raise the estimate for repairs appropriately. Tell the insurance adjuster that you won't sign off on the car until you're happy, so they might as well put a new top on now rather than pay to have multiple tops put on if you're not happy.

 

its not what honda wants. its what the insurance wants.

 

Fight it, always use oem or better, never used aftermarket anything through insurance companies, you will easily see the difference in a short while. Say you insured the car for the way it is, and thats the way you want it back, not used with cheaper parts, you payed insurance on the parts there, and they should be replaced accordingly.

 

I just went thought the same thing. All you need to do is take it to the Honda dealership near you that you like or your favorite body shop. Then tell you insurance company it is there and you want it fixed there. The insurance company will send out an adjuster to make sure they aren’t charging for things it does not need like "there was a scratch on the seat so you need a new seat" that kind of thing. In Illinois the insurance company has to pay for the repairs at the shop you want them preformed at and the way they preform them.

 

Thanks for the replys everyone. I guess i'm just over thinking it. Worrying about things that haven't happened yet. Yea, we are gonna take it to a local Honda Dealership tomorrow since it's not body damage and doesn't need a body shop. They were saying something about taking it to one of their places but I figured why do that when they are probably just going to sublet it to Honda or someone that can do it. Most bodyshops don't even wanna touch this type of job.

 

I believe there is also a option to just have them cut you a check & you decide what to do with it, somebody correct me if I'm wrong?

 

Some companies do not allow that anymore, some still do though I think...

 

It'd only be an issue I think if using OEM equipment was enough to total the car while using aftermarket equipment wouldn't.

Assuming it wouldn't, tell them you're getting an OEM.

 

when someone else bumped into my rear bumper back in 2005, she also had GEICO so i took it to an appraiser. they said ~$700 in damage, and cut me a check within 5 minutes on the spot, along with the itemized damage report. i was then free to take it to whatever shop i wanted, and if the cost of repairing was more, they would send a supplemental check to whatever shop it was.

but, in this case, you're filing a claim on your own insurance, so no, they won't just cut you a check. i didn't think any places did that.