Couple of weeks ago, my 08' RX8 (just bought it new last month!!!!) was knocked by a Honda civic (gosh!!!), the left rear door was knocked in and appeared a big dent and paint scratches.

Tomorrow their insurance company is sending people to my place to inspect the car, estimate the cost to repair it. After that, they said they will send me a check so I can go to whichever body shop I want.

But the thing is, as this is the first time I experience this kinda thing (first time getting involved in a car accident!), please let me know what I should look for, okay?

Also, a question that I do want to know, is what if their estimation is too low? How am I suppose to know is it too low or what? Because I just owned this car and have never repaired it since I bought it.

Thank you very much!! (Sorry but I'm kinda in a hurry)

P.S. I'm in Indianapolis.

 

You need to go get estimates from a few local reputable shops to compare their estimated cost with the insurance adjuster, so they don't low ball the estimate. Go visit the repair shops prior to the adjuster visit so you have some ammunition.

 

Okay. Got it. Not really sure whether I have time to go to the authorized body shop before they come (don't know when they're coming either).

But a quick question, should I bring any kind of document from the body shop as a proof of cost for repairing it? If so, do I need to pay to get this kind of proof from the body shop?

Thanks for the quick respond!!!

 

Body shops should be able to get you an estimate within a few minutes of you pulling in, so you should definitely get out as soon as they open and get a couple of estimates. If you have a contact number for the adjustor, give them a call and tell them that you need to run a few errands, and get them to give you an ETA. That should give you time.

 

I'd ask him the process they use, and then you might want to mention that you already got estimates from a few places, make sure you have copies. As I said, make sure you get estimates from reputable places.

 

definatly get estimates. Rx8s are expensive when it comes to repairs. ie 900 for ONE headlight. JEEZ!!

 

the best thing to do is to get prices of new parts .. a quote form the dealer... you will be screwed on the repair rate... they pay like 50 bucks an hour... when in fact the repair rate is more like 100

 

fyi there are like 2 different people partign out theie cars right now... easy to get parts lol....

 

got it. Thanks A MILLION for the info!

I will go to the body shop tomorrow morning.

Thanks again!! I'll post the results tomorrow.

 

I would tell them you will get the car fixed and to pay the bill....

There is always hidden damage.....

 

It can sometimes cost more than anticipated. I know from experience. When they come out, ask them their policy on additional unforeseen cost. Most legitimate insurance companies will pay for additional cost. Another thing is that they could be offering to pay you more than expected just to cover any possible issues and to make you happy. I've had that happen to me as well. What is the name of the insurance company that is paying?

 

even though it seems like they (the other insurance company) is coming to "take care" of things, i would ask your insurance company to recommend you a body shop on their list that has high marks that is close to you. just go there and get an estimate with OEM style body parts... Lots of mazda dealers dont do body work themselves and would just send it to a local shop anyways... either call the dealer, or your insurance company for a good recommendation..

 

Hello guys, thanks very much for all the info! I really appreciate it!

Here is the thing:
The insurance company that is paying is Farmers Indiana, and the body shop I'm sending in is Tomwood Mazda, who actually has a body shop together with their dealer store.

And I just called the bodyshop, and they said they will work with the insurance company when the estimation (by Farmers) is out. So if the estimation is too low, the bodyshop would contact the insurance company.

Because of this, the bodyshop didn't give me a rough estimation on the repair.

Is this normal?

And how does it work? The Farmers is coming in 10 minutes later (gosh, so soon), and will he give me a quote immediately? Or will he just inspect it, and give me a quote couple of days later?

Thanks!!!

 

They will low ball your repairs for sure. but after they're done, they will give you a bunch of papers stating which part the adjuster *Thinks* will just need to repair, which part replace. MOST likely if there is a hole *cough* somewhere, it has to be replaced.

The adjuster will first give you a estimate based on what *the adjuster* sees. meaning if there is any more damage inside, the bodyshop will have to call the insurance company to send another guy to come and look at it, take photos, and pay more.

The Adjuster will give you all the information.

 

Tell you the truth, you're probably better off, just taking it to Tomwood and let them deal with the insurance company. Once the repairs are done, the insurance co. will pay everything, less your deductable, and you're good to go. Yeah, you could do the part thing...but damn, that may take some working on, not to mention all the shipping, etc...then, are you going to put the parts on...probably not, so you got to deal w/installation, etc....that just sounds like a pain in the ****. I would just let Tomwood deal with it and have the adjuster contact them. OR, better yet, tell the adjuster to meet you at Tomwood....that way you, the adjuster and body shop can all be on the same page and you can avoid any surprises, etc.

 

Thanks! It's too late to arrange the meeting at the body shop though...

The inspector (not the adjuster) has just come, and inspected the car. I asked some questions, and he said his company "Farmer's Bureau" will take care of the repair, and any additional costs. The left rear door will be replaced. If the actual cost is higher than the estimation, they will come and pay it.

I'm pretty happy with that statement, but that's what the inspector says, not the adjuster.

I'll let you know once I have anything.

Thank you again!!

 

I had a semi take off the front of my (parked) Jeep. The vehicle was towed to a body shop that was closest to where I lived (hurray fro AAA!) The insurance guy gave me a copy of the repair estimate and then gave a copy to the body shop who basically said "We can do this".

The total repair was only 3200 and I was worried, initally that it was too low. The body shop basically explained to me that they take the time (where the can) to work with the estimator to make sure that the check I get will cover the cost.

... and it did.

So I would get the car to a body shop (that you trust) and tell the adjuster to meet you there.

edit : Oh I see your post. It took me longer than I thought to get my post out

 

That's the way it should work. Eventually, the estimate will be made jointly by the insurance company's adjuster and the body shop. Sometimes the final happens after work starts, when it's apart and hidden damage may be discovered. If they pay the body shop directly, that's fine - you won't get stuck running checks back and forth.

Two important things for you to do. First, pick out good body shop. Having a senior moment, forget who it is, but there's an organization that certifies body shops. Second, keep your finger in it enough to make sure they use Mazda body parts, not third party substitutes. If this were covered by your own insurance, they'd have the right to use 3rd party or used parts. But since it's the other guy's, there isn't any such agreement.

Good luck.

Ken

 

^like many said, get a good body shop. You are going to want the paint blended to the rest of the car so it doesn't look so obvious, and that costs a bit more, so you want your body shop to help with that.

Otherwise, our last accident, we just took pictures and a check got sent to the body shop.

 

Just a follow up for this case:
The insurance company has given me the estimation (and a check is on the way): for everything (including all the labor, repair, and replacing the rear door): $2400.

The insurance company confirmed that if there's any additional cost, the body shop will be able to work with them directly. They said they will cover all the additional costs.

This sounds like a nice deal, isn't it?

By the way, thanks for all the help and answers you guys made. I really appreciate them!

 

To tell you the truth, this is standard operating procedures nowadays. You just have to go through one "complicated" insurance claim to realize that the initial steps of getting the estimate and having it fixed are the easy parts. Most of the time it just goes smoothly, and there's no reason for concern.

 

good info and good timing on this one. i just had my baby get her first dent friday after work. i was headed out for happy hour but the parking lot was full. just as i was leaving the lot a guy put his jeep in reverse (not even parked...he was in a lane and decided to put it in reverse) and backed into me as i was laying on the horn.

so now i have some scratches on my door and handle and where he hit the door handle it pushed in the door a bit which dented it. to top it off the guy was an *** and when i asked for his info he threw his license at me and went to get his insurance card. with his british smile (sorry any englishmen on here) he told me that it was nothing, that he didn't even feel it, and that he could buff it right out for me by morning. luckily there was a bike cop right around the corner.

so much for making to happy hour and happy hour it was not...