This is a follow up to this thread, with a few new questions...... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184591 The car got to the dealership repair shop, and now we are having trouble with the insurance company. The car has two wheels that are cracked, the front bumper needs to be replaced, the tie rods are messed up along with other parts of the suspension. With damage to the suspension we want to bring the car to a certified BMW shop to make sure everything is done well. The problem is that the insurance company says that they will only pay 48 per hour labor for bodywork, and either 58 or 68 per an hour to the other types of damage. I think that is a load of crap, as it will cost more than 48 per hour almost anywhere, let alone a BMW repairshop. What are our options for getting reimbursed fully for getting the car repaired correctly, without having to pay out of pocket.
First, get the car over to the BMW shop that you want to do the work for you. Have them prepare an estimate of the cost. Submit the estimate to the insurance company and demand that they pay for the repairs by the shop of your choice. If they refuse or give you a low-ball offer (Your shop said $XXXXX, but we will only pay $XXXXX - 50%), threaten to sue them for coverage if they are unwilling to work out a reasonable settlement. When you deal with them, it is a negotiation. They want to pay as little as possible for the repairs. You want them to pay for a top notch job with new, OEM parts. There will probably be a compromise somewhere, but you don't have to roll over and play dead with them. Just because they say that's all they will pay doesn't mean you have to accept that. And don't sign anything without reading it really carefully.
bring the car to the shop and have the insurance deal directly with the body shop. Once they approve the claim they usually negotiate with the shop on the back end as far as # of hours it should take and an agreed upon labor rate. Insurance fraud stems from people going to places that charge $150/hr for the estimate, then after they get the insurance check going to Jimbo's Discount Auto Repair and pocketing the rest. Insurance companies will always fix your car properly and pay for it at any certified body shop. Just drop the car off to get repaired and leave the settling of the bill to the shop and your insurance company. When the appraiser sees the work get done you have nothing to worry about and you'll get your car repaired and handed back to you. There is no way around paying your deductible, that will be your only out of pocket expense and possibly a rise in your insurance rates.
