Ok, long story short I got into an accident and I will have to get MY insurance to repair my car. I have a $500.00 deductable, the adjuster will look at the car today and I should get the estimate in a few days.

Ive only ever been in 1 accident, it was a when a girl backed into my fender in a parking lot, she had me get estimates and then payed me the avg of 3 est. no insurance was involved.

Ive never had to deal with getting insurance to fix a car.

I still have to talk to the insurance guy in person, but on the phone he told me I could A) take it to their shop and they do everything, no paper work for me. The only downside, their shop uses aftermarket and remanufactured parts, NOT OEM. B) I can have them come out and look at my car and write an estimate, then I can take it to whatever shop I want.

I picked option B, so he is coming out today.

My question, and I will have to ask him. Would I be wrong in just asking them to cut me a check for the repairs? Or can you not do that? Remeber this is me dealing with my own insurance. I know when someone hits you, you can get the other persons insurance to cut you a check for the repairs, but what about when its your own insurance?

The reason I ask is cause I want to fix the car, but I want to get the mazdaspeed front bumper to replace the broken OEM one, I know the bumper will have to be replaced, I was hoping if I get a check from them I could use that money, and some of my own money to fix the car with parts other than OEM stock stuff.

Would I be wrong for telling them I just want a check? How should I tell them that I want a check. I have the feeling they might say "here is what we will pay you for repairs, just take it to a body shop and we will cover the bill." if they do say that I cant as easily get the MS bumper.

What I really wanted to do is buy that parts and put them on myself and then get a friend of mine that works at a body shop to look the car over once the bumper and everything is off, to check for additional damage. Since they would up the estimate if there is unseen damage.

Ive looked over the car and all it really needs is a new bumper and fix/replace the hood (bad crease).

So what do you think, am I right in asking for a check? and what do I say if they ask why I want a check.

 

KY, it sounds like you might actually be in a very good position since your friend works at a body shop. If you want to take it to that Body Shop, you should be able to go directly through them and your insurance company will pay them, less your $500 ded. of course. It does not hurt to ask how they handle aftermarket parts, they may be willing to work with you, it is probably worth asking them the question (see more info below).

As far as getting the MazdaSpeed bumper in place of the stock one, I think you will have to pay the difference, unless they are either a) the same price or b) MazdaSpeed is cheaper, and you will probably be able to get a better deal trying to find one yourself. Talk to your Insurance Company, some are really not that bad to work with and if you are honest with them, chances are they have dealt with the scenario before and will have some useful information, or might even be willing to help you find the part.

I had a case with a prior vehicle where I had changed the taillight assemblies and one was destroyed in an accident and the insurance company paid to put it back the way it was. This entailed two trips to the body shop to make sure they ordered the right ones for the vehicle, the body shop then sent the bill to the insurance company and the cost of the set was almost double what I paid for them, plus they tacked on an extra 20% for having to get the aftermarket parts. I think this is pretty much standard practice amongst body shops and hence why you might be better off getting one yourself, but talk to your friend, maybe he can hook you up.

I'm not an insurance expert, but just thought my past experience might help you.

 

thanks for the input. thats part of why I just want a check, so I can take the money and find the parts I want, buy them and then get them installed.

If they were to cut me a check, how would the deductable work? I would think they just take whatever ammount they are going to pay out and subtract my $500, cause it would seem strange for me to pay them $500 and then they turn around and give me a check for XXX ammount....i dunno though. All stuff to ask the guy later today.

Thanks!