I was stopped at a light and got bumped in the *** by a small pick-up carrying a distracted driver. The damage to the bumper is not severe (scratches and a dent) but a tow hook on his front bumper punched a hole in the plastic under my bumper.

I called in a claim to the guy’s insurance company and they’re going to call back tomorrow to make an appointment for an insurance adjuster to come out and look at the car. I have been told that I should have a body shop look at it first so the guy’s insurance company doesn’t underestimate the damage. I have also been told that whatever an adjuster estimates can be challenged/changed by the body shop if they deem it will cost more.

Anybody have experience with this?

This is the second time in this car’s young life it will go to the body shop. Earlier this year and rock/chunk of ice/comet/asteroid blasted a paint free dent in my car. At least this time there is no deductible.

 

Defintley take it to a body shop to get it estimated, and yes it will be challenged if the insurance adjuster will low ball you. I wouldn't worry about it that much though since it's the others guy insurance that will be paying for it. Take it to one of the reputable shops that they will offer you, have them estimate and then let them take care of it.

 

just had it done...small holes in bumper due to oblivious driver. anyways, original adjuster estimate was $620ish. I waited 2 months for an appt at the best body shop around and it was well worth it. The total cost ended up being $1880. They really ran up the price but it's not my problem. Each time the body shop had to call back the ins company to up the cost. Quite a racket...

Also, if you have the aero and rotary accents packages make sure to tell them. It fools even the best body shops. (btw, the rear rotary accent is over $40...an extreme ripoff)

 

Dont sign or agree verbally to anything. NEVER rush to a settlement. THats exactly what they want. Never discuss the accident with the insurance company. Refer them to the police report and nothing more. Also, you have the right to get the repair done at any shop you wish. My last accident I went directly to a Mazda dealer collision center. They examineD the car thoroughly and give a more accurate assessment. Good luck.

 

You should have gone through your insurance company because they are better suited to deal with the other guy's insurance company. Your insurance company will get an adjuster, provide an estimate, then bill the other guy's insurance company. If the other insurance company refuses it to pay the amount, then your insurance company will take care of everything. Your claim also will not raise your premium. I was also bumped by an SUV while I was stopped paying a toll several weeks ago. The damage was minor but my adjuster recommended replacing the bumper so I received a check from them for around $600 a couple of days after I made the claim, no questions asked.

 

I got bumped in the rear much the same as you...no tow hook but got a cracked rear tail-light. The truck just rolled into me...saw it coming but couldn't get out of the way.

Take it to a GOOD body shop (maybe the dealer) for an estimate as I was VERY surprised at how much it cost to fix ($3,000+).

And yes, let your agent handle the whole thing. You will end up paying if you don't.

 

get an estimate at a reputable bodyshop. depending how deep a hit the cost can be drastic.

 

Had the same work done when they only punched a hole in the plastic rear bumper cover. Total ran to almost exactly $900 which I thought was very reasonable. Looks immaculate.

 

For the purpose of completeness: The other guy’s insurance company was taking forever. I called them 2 weeks after I made the claim and they said they must talk to the insured before they authorized anything. After a month I called the State of CT Insurance Department. They were very helpful. I called the ins cmpy back and told them that if my car was not in a body shop this week I was going to file a complaint with the CT Ins. Dept. They approved the claim the next morning and now my car is being repaired and I’m the proud driver of a Ford Taurus. It feels like I’m driving a waterbed. I should have my car back in 3 days.

 

P.S. I did not go with the insurance company's prefered body shop. I took it to the Partyka Mazda bodyshop. The director of the body shop there seems like a good guy and they recognized that damage may have been done under the bumper as NgoRX8 mentioned. They have to pull off the bumper and look to find out.

 

We should install a rearward facing horn.

 

^ No kidding, and ones on the sides too! I was nearly T-boned AND sideswiped on the way home from work last night in separate incidents. I was driving downtown and had a green light so I was driving along and at the very same intersection where my mom and I were rearended in May a Pizza Hut delivery guy blows through his red light and I had to slam on my brakes and try to swerve out of his path and blow my horn at him. Good thing those brakes stop so well! He also slams on his breaks and swerves the opposite way and then comes to a stop completely in my lane. He then flips me off and keeps on driving!!!

Then I was stopped at a light to go through the intersection to the on-ramp to I-84. The light turns green so I take off and start going. The only other cars that were there when the light turned green besides me was an old VW van stopped behind me and no cars behind him or in the other lane. I start proceeding down the on-ramp and just after I pass the point where the two lanes have merged into one (going about 38 MPH at this point and still accelerating) I hear horns honking behind me. I look in my rearview mirror and see headlights fast approaching coming right at me and not slowing down or swerving, so I swerved over as far as I could to the shoulder without hitting the retaining wall and barely missed being sideswiped by a brand new Mazda 6 with the dealer tags still on it followed closely by another Mazda 6 also with dealer tags on. They were racing each other! As they got on I-84 they were weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds. I called 9-1-1 to report it and the operator said if I didn't have any license plate numbers then there wasn't much they could do! I didn't see any trip permits in the back windows of the cars so I am wondering if some idiots at the dealership decided to take them out for a joyride or something. Then a few miles further down the road a Subaru, something unidentifiable and ricey, and an Acura come flying down the road weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds racing each other also!

This is highly unusual since I get off work at 11:30 and by this time it is pretty close to midnight. Traffic is usually very light, especially in the middle of the week. I have never seen anything like this before. I think the heat is making everyone stupid!

It's one thing for there to be a lot of traffic but it's entirely another when there are people driving like idiots, especially with the extra traffic.

 

Good idea about taking it to your own shop. Their "prefered shop" is a shop that will cut costs to make the insurance co happy. As a claiment, take it to the most expensive shop, or whatever makes you feel he most comfortable. The ins co has to pay for your rental until your car is fixed so get it done right the first time.