I work for an insurance company as an adjuster.

You have the option to choose whatever shop you like, dont let them tell you that you cannot.

Its just beneficial for the insurance company to use a shop they have in their network, but ultimately it comes down to your choice. We all do it, "use our shops, yada yada yada, best quality work, life time guarantee". Its a way for the insurance companies to control their costs and its easier for them to monitor repairs, and control the repair time and thus rental costs.

Miami chassis did work on my friend's rx-8 after i referred him there and it came out perfect, but they are very busy and usually take a bit longer. They deal mostly with high end stuff.

Personally, I would use countach in miami, they do all the work for the Collection. But they charge a pretty penny and are not too friendly with the insurance companies in regards to negotiating labor times and hours.

Good luck with your claim. If you have any questions, let me know.

 

Doctor,

I just read your last post before i finished mine.

Sounds like USAA does the same exact thing my company does.

We give you a lifetime guarantee, we stand behind the repairs whether the shop goes out of business, and if there is a problem, and you have relocated, you can take it to any other network shop and we will repair it.

Please tell me USAA replaced that door by the way.

 

DocT, I'm in the area as well and might be available to pick you up - just let us know. I was in the same boat with Allstate the two times my top has been slashed. They wouldn't cover the difference if I took it to another shop/dealer that was more expensive than one in their network. Only good thing is that by staying in their network, they warranty the top for the life of the car (from holes, leaks, etc.) and I have that in writing.

 

tachman,

so if u did not use allstate's shop, and your shop had a higher labor rate, allstate would not pay it. Did you test that, or did the claims rep tell you that.

I find that really hard to believe, let me explain why. If you walk into a honda dealer, the posted labor rate for body work is around $36 an hour, and mechanical if I remember correctly is about $60.

If you walk in to a mercedes dealer, now remember body work is body work, its just metal that needs to be reformed, shaped, bondo work, or welded. Metal is metal. Mercedes will charge $60 to $70 an hour body , and mechanical forget it.

Allstate can't justify that by saying you have to pay the difference.
Tell you the truth, i think the rep just told you that so you would take the car to his network shop, by doing that, he just made his life alot easier, not only does he not have to write the estimate himself, he does not have to monitor the repair process as tightly as he would for a non network shop.

In my companies case, they want us to negotiate, but that is just a waste of time. our negotiations go like this.

me- you want $50 an hour for body work on a honda?
shop- yes, thats how much we charge
me- we wont pay that, we will have the owner remove the car
shop- no you wont
me- yes we will
shop- no
me- ok how about $40 an hour
shop- no
me- ok $50 it is.

Once in a while, if its a crazy request, like asking $60 an hour for body work on a kia, we will flat out deny it, and the shop will just take our labor rate.

But to tell you the truth, when i write an estimate, i never bring up labor rate, if they never mention it, and they sign the estimate agreeing to the cost, they are locked in. Thats my trick. Very rarely do shops contest the labor rate after the fact.

 

Sorry, to see that damage. Good luck with the repairs. Lauderdale is part of my territory and I am normally up very early. Let me know on the ride situation.

Deiger

 

They are replacing every damaged part...so yes, the door is being replaced...I'm also going to file for "devaluation" due to the accident...

The final estimate was faxed to me last night...came out to $6957...and 19 days to repair...that puts me coming to Ft Lauderdale to pick it up sometime in the first week of October (since I'm guessing the quote is for 19 business days, not calendar days)...

 

My insurance company is having a hard time getting in touch with the witness to my accident who was listed on the report...the police officer put her name and the address of the store where she worked (where she was when she saw the accident) but didn't include a phone number...

Can someone help me out and find out the name and phone number of the store located at 619 East Las Olas (Ft Lauderdale) for me? I'd really appreciate it...

 

Yeah give me a second.

I will pull it up for you.

Whats the name of the witness.

 

Here you go:

Casa Chameleon
619 E Las Olas Blvd
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301

954 763 2543
Fax 954 763 4316

 

Thanks...you're a lifesaver...