Car Wrack Today, Need Advise Please!

As a parent of two twenty-somethings and one still teenager who between the three of them have totalled more cars than I care to count, I can tell you that the adjuster will be telling you what will happen -- not the other way around. It sucks, I know!

Yes, the repair center will most likely use "used/salvaged" parts depending on the age of your vehicle. Your insurance's only requirement to to repair your vehicle to the value it was prior to the accident. Therefore, if using salvaged parts will get the job done, that's what will be used -- rather than new.

Now, with that being said, if you're using a reputable repair center, you will more than likely be satisfied with their work. That you do have rights about. It's easier to use a shop that will work directly with your insurance carrier and generally better; but not always. However, all reputable repair shops have to guarantee work they did on an insurance claim.

Visit with the adjustor. I have a feeling you will be satisfied with their response. If you're not, call your insurance agent/carrier and speak to the adjustor's supervisor until you are satisfied.

Good luck. I know this is hard. Been there too many times to count!! :))

R.

My little family was in a car accident about five months ago. It was determined the other driver's fault, car fixed, etc. We went to trade in the vehicle last month and they gave us about 1500 less because of accident even though fixed to "like new". I would strongly encourage you, if it is determined NOT your fault to get diminished value payment up front. We didn't and didn't want to hassle with insurance companies when we made the trade.

From experience, if you are in any pain in the morning,...any at all go directly to the emergency room. My side collision was on North Tarrant Pkwy so the speed was not high. At the time of the accident I thought I was fine and did not require an ambulance. The next morning my body was so sore. The accident caused a protruding disc between the C4 and C5 at 7mm and them also disc damage to my lower back. The X-Ray's will not show this, you will need to get an MRI to be sure of the damage to your body. If you need advice on a great lawyer, e-mail me.

I am one of those dreaded insurance adjusters, and I can tell you that most of us actually do what we do for a living because we want to help people. You have rights as a consumer, and those rights should have either been told to you when you reported the claim, or in a letter. You have the right to choose where you repair your vehicle, however most companies have repair facilities they recommend. Also, you have the right to request whatever parts you want for your repairs (OEM=new LKQ=used Aftermarket=generic) however, the insurance company is only required to pay for "actual cash value" or ACV. In other words, if your vehicle is a 2005, you had parts on your vehicle at the time of the accident that were 4 years old. The insurance company owes you for the same as what you had, not better or worse. The positive for used parts is they usually come with a better warranty than the new ones. The days of a body shop going out to the junk yard and hammering off a part are long gone, too. Used parts are found at parts warehouses that shrink wrap and store the parts for shipment. They are original manufacturer's equipment that meet the specs for your vehicle for fit and function.
A word about diminished value--you can't receive payment for it if you are filing on your own coverage, you can only request it from the other carrier if they are accepting liability, and then only after the vehicle has been repaired. There is no guarantee you will receive payment for diminished value as it is a very subjective issue. There is some validity to DV for some vehicles, but not all.

The repair person is probably right. Most insurance companies only allocate for used parts unless they can't be found. Check with your insurance company. Also, as a poster said, you will probably be sore tomorrow. I would go to a doctor to get check out. Also, if you are planning on suing, please talk to an attorney before you talk to the insurance company about what happened. I used to work for Personal Injury attorneys in Maryland and you will be surprised at what some insurance companies and attorneys will do to get out of fault and can use your words against you, even if it is not your fault.

typically your insurance company would have requested all "New" parts. Unfortunately due to the recent Automobile company problems "new" parts are very difficult to come by NEW, and repair centers are turning to salvage yards for parts in order to get their customers cars repaired withing weeks and not months. Don't worry Salvaged parts are still good and they will actually save you money on your repair bill.

S.,

What the collision center told you is probably what your insurance company is willing to pay for. If you want new or (LKQ) like kind and quality parts, you might have to pay extra for them. What collision center did you take your vehicle to? If there is a Service King near you, you might want to get a quote from them. I work for an insurance company and I go to Service King for continuing education classes and I am very impressed with them. They seem to be very community oriented and they won't use parts on your vehicle that they would not guarantee. I would take my own car to them. Good Luck wherever you go. That is never an easy task.

Sincerely,

L.