Had Accident - Have Repair Questions & Need Body Shop Recommendations

[ArchiMark]

Update - Added Photos


'00 New Beetle - Accident

Unfortunately, my wife had a minor accident recently with her '00 New Beetle. She hit another car at about 10-15 MPH as she was leaving a parking lot to turn left onto the street and another car was whizzing by already going in the same direction as she was turning..

Visually, minor damage to the front right corner of the bumper including a slight tear in the bumper cover, scratches on the turn signal light in the bumper, and the grille below the bumper cover popped out at each end. See pictures....

Also, the gap between the hood and the fender is now wider on the right side than the left side. So, something moved...


Body Shop Recommendations - Mountain View/Sunnyvale Area

Anyway, wonder if anyone has any body shop recommendations in the Mountain View, Sunnyvale, CA area where we're located.

Got estimates a few days ago. Estimates are from Fortes Auto Body, Mountain View, and DA-LES and B2Perfection in Sunnyvale. Anyone have experiences with either of these shops?

Does anyone have any other recommendations?

Farmers Insurance Circle of Dependability Program Shop vs non-program Shop?

Our insurance is with Farmers. They have this program called 'Circle of Dependability' which is supposed to make things easier/quicker for you if the shop finds other damage after removing the bumper, etc. as they don't need to get the adjuster out to the shop, they can just document the extra work and keep going.

We're wondering if this program is really beneficial to us or does this create a situation where the body shop in wanting to stay in Farmers good graces, will minimize any additional work to be done beyond the initial estimate?

Anyone have experience with this program?

Reconditioned or Remanufactured Parts

Unfortunately, we found out that our insurance does not cover new parts if reconditioned or remanufactured parts are available. The 3 shops we got estimates from are saying that they will need to use a reconditioned bumper cover, that saves about $150.

Any issues with using a reconditioned bumper cover?



I know that this is a fairly long post, but will greatly appreciate any and all input. So, even if you're not in my local area to be able to recommend specific body shops, you might be able to provide input on some of the other questions.

Thanks!

Mark

[Lnzbug]

I don't live in your area so no recommendations for shops. I would say until the shop has it apart no way to know what went on underneath. And I don't see any pics

[hestersu]

Interesting that they would use non OEM parts. We have another user on the org that swears California requires all new OEM parts when repairing cars. Check with the State Board of Insurance to make sure that Farmer's is following the law and check your rights under your policy.

The bumper cover (fascia) is plastic. I wouldn't use a re manufactured part for the cover. At some point, what ever has been repaired will eventually show up. The fascia is around $250 or so new. You might look into buying the part yourself or chipping in to get the proper part. The OEM part comes pre primed and will take paint a lot better than some re manufactured part.

[hestersu]

Look at this thread for what was said. http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/show...hlight=sekurit

[ArchiMark]

Originally Posted by Lnzbug

I don't live in your area so no recommendations for shops. I would say until the shop has it apart no way to know what went on underneath.

Understand that no shop can quote on what they can't see....my question was whether or not the body shops in Farmers program have any incentive to fix any work they discover after they open it up as that will cost Farmers more money....in other words we're trying to decide whether the Farmers program is really for our benefit or Farmers....

And I don't see any pics

Oops,,,,I forgot to upload them....OK, just added them to my first post... Thanks!

Originally Posted by hestersu

Interesting that they would use non OEM parts. We have another user on the org that swears California requires all new OEM parts when repairing cars. Check with the State Board of Insurance to make sure that Farmer's is following the law and check your rights under your policy.

Hmmm......interesting point....will check on that....Thanks!

The bumper cover (fascia) is plastic. I wouldn't use a re manufactured part for the cover. At some point, what ever has been repaired will eventually show up. The fascia is around $250 or so new. You might look into buying the part yourself or chipping in to get the proper part. The OEM part comes pre primed and will take paint a lot better than some re manufactured part.

The new VW bumper cover is being quoted at $472 and the reconditioned one is $325. So, we'd need to pay about $150 to go for the new one...

The reconditioned one also comes primed too....

[larryziegler]

Originally Posted by hestersu

Interesting that they would use non OEM parts. We have another user on the org that swears California requires all new OEM parts when repairing cars. Check with the State Board of Insurance to make sure that Farmer's is following the law and check your rights under your policy.

The bumper cover (fascia) is plastic. I wouldn't use a re manufactured part for the cover. At some point, what ever has been repaired will eventually show up. The fascia is around $250 or so new. You might look into buying the part yourself or chipping in to get the proper part. The OEM part comes pre primed and will take paint a lot better than some re manufactured part.

Calif has no law requiring use of OEM parts....some insurance carriers use nothing but OEM parts, some will allow you to purchase extra coverage that will pay for OEM only parts, others have a policy of using OEM parts in the first 2-3 years of age of the vehicle, while others have no particular claims policy for the use of OEM/non-OEM parts. Non-OEM parts are made to OEM specs though, but are made by companies that don't supply their parts directly to auto manufacturers. Quality of fit is usually the culprit of the dislike of non-OEM body parts. The use of re-conditioned bumpers and wheels is quite common. What is commonly behind the bumper is styrofoam or a styrofoam-like material that flexes in minor collisions covered by the usual vinyl cover that is typically either the body color or black. As with wheels, there is a company that rehabs wheels with aesthetic issues, such as scratches in the finish that are structurally sound and made to look brand new. In the end, if the non-OEM part doesn't fit properly, then a good insurance company will pay for the OEM part. As with windshields, the cheap Chinese made windshields may meet minimun DOT requirement, but they typically have optical quality issues as compared with companies that make OEM windshields such as PPG or Carlite. The use of reconditioned parts is no different than using remanufactured starters, alternators, and racks. The auto insurance policy is not one of replacement value (new for old), but one of "actual cash value", so depreciation is also commonly taken on wear and tear parts, such as tires, upholstery, electronics, and paint. In the case of Farmer's use of "preferred body shop network", this, too is a common practice, though in Calif it is against the law to require use of a particular body shop or the gathering of estimates. The claimant is allowed to choose the bodyshop of his/her choice. "Preferred" shops are usually given extra latitude if they find hidden damage to initiate repairs with just providing documentation, the insurance carrier usually warranties the work done at that shop for as long as the person own s the car, and also can act as an advocate of the claimant in case of a problem in the work after completion. If the person chooses their own shop (not the carrier's preferred shop) and has a problem with the shop's quality afterwards, they are on their own, since they chose that shop.

[hestersu]

Larry -

I actually agree with you on this. I don't actually believe that CA would have those kinds of law. I know CA has some unusual rules, but the requirement for only OEM parts seems silly - especially for a state that seems to be a leader in recycling. If a part can be reconditioned and work correctly, then why not.

The cover is plastic/vinyl and I would worry about it being damaged. If the OP can look over the part before it being installed (and before painting) to check for repaired damage, he can decide for himself if the part is acceptable.

I'm sure Farmers is somewhat like State Farm (my insurance). When you use a preferred shop, if the shop finds additional damage, the insurance company will pay to have the car properly fixed. Go to a shop that is not preferred and you may or may not get everything taken care of (without a fight).

[ArchiMark]

Thanks Larry and hestersu for you comments...very helpful!

Think I get the situation now about using insurance company preferred and non-preferred shops...

[CASilBug]

Deer damage to my right bumper, headlight and front hood came to $3,000. Which the insurance covered. In your case, it looks like it calls for body shop work - hope you filed an insurance claim.

Good luck.