Insurance company and my Yellow Cabrio

[drmickeyer]

One month and 2 days after taking delivery of my yellow cabrio I came out of the store with my son and discovered someone had hit the right rear panel and left a dent with blue paint. After the anger had settled, I called State Farm. I was given a claim number and told someone would come to my home and estimate the car. In the meantime I took the car to my Smart dealer and got an estimate, $490.13. State Farm arrived yesterday and told me they would not authorize the dealer to do the repairs although I am free to take it where I want. The estimator told me they would use a heat gun to mend the dent and then repaint the panel. I explained that the panel is not painted, but rather a molded colored plastic and I was told that "we do it all the time". Long story short, I held firm and they finally gave in and authorized my dealer for the repair at full cost - THIS TIME ONLY because "the Smart is not in their database"! I told them I might switch insurance companies and take my 6 cars and 2 homes with me! Beware the insurance companies.

[Smartfor2guy]

Switch to Liberty Mutual. They are Smart friendly!!

[a2jack]

Drmick. You might have won the battle, but lost the war.

Long ago in LA we had a VW micobus camper that thieves striped the interior out of during the night.

Our insurer AAA, quoted us a three month repair wait, as all the shops were full due to a recent earthquake. We insisted on sub-contracting out the work ourselves subject to AAA's inspection. They did not like the idea, but by law they had to go along.

Long story short , they paid off, then canceled our insurance and would not renew.

Moral of this long story? Switch insurance co's BEFORE renewal time as they may try to get back at you for going around them. A2Jack.

[drmickeyer]

Thanks for the advice A2.

[paroyboy]

We switched all of our insurance policies from State Farm to Travelers. MUCH cheaper and MUCH better customer service

[cranberryroo]

If anyone is eligible USAA has been nothing but awesome for my family. I'm third generation USAA. They have lots more than insurance too. I have a lot of things with them and car loans are pretty cheap. They once represented my mom in court for some lady trying to scam us.

[smartHHO]

Originally Posted by drmickeyer

One month and 2 days after taking delivery of my yellow cabrio I came out of the store with my son and discovered someone had hit the right rear panel and left a dent with blue paint. After the anger had settled, I called State Farm. I was given a claim number and told someone would come to my home and estimate the car. In the meantime I took the car to my Smart dealer and got an estimate, $490.13. State Farm arrived yesterday and told me they would not authorize the dealer to do the repairs although I am free to take it where I want. The estimator told me they would use a heat gun to mend the dent and then repaint the panel. I explained that the panel is not painted, but rather a molded colored plastic and I was told that "we do it all the time". Long story short, I held firm and they finally gave in and authorized my dealer for the repair at full cost - THIS TIME ONLY because "the Smart is not in their database"! I told them I might switch insurance companies and take my 6 cars and 2 homes with me! Beware the insurance companies.

I have had progressive forever. In fact, I still have a year policy, which you can't get anymore, and I also have a $98 payout instead of those $250 or $500. So when I do have my car fixed now and again, the lady at the desk always says, "OMG, $98!" I say yep, isn't it grand? Never had a problem with them at all when it comes to fixing my cars.

[meaux61]

I have had WONDERFUL service from Liberty Mutual on my smart.
I hit a deer on Tuesday morning. They took care of everything. They are even paying to have the car towed to Indy to have the windshield replaced and the airbag light reset.

The total estimate for my repair is: $2387.39.
I know that the left front quarter panel cost $155.00.
To rewrap and ship is $525.00.
So, say my car was not wrapped, the whole repair cost would be $1862.39

So, the $1862.39 includes the windshield with rain sensor, left front quarter panel, left side mirror, left tail light, towing back and forth from Urbana Il to Indianapolis (130 miles each way), and labor. I also got a rental car unlimited, since they originally towed my car to a liberty mutual partner body shop.

Meaux

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by drmickeyer

I took the car to my Smart dealer and got an estimate, $490.13. State Farm arrived yesterday and told me they would not authorize the dealer to do the repairs although I am free to take it where I want. The estimator told me they would use a heat gun to mend the dent and then repaint the panel. I explained that the panel is not painted, but rather a molded colored plastic and I was told that "we do it all the time".

Your repairs from the dealer is only $490.13. Less than $500.
Here is my question, What is your deductable? if it is $500 or more then why even bring the insurance company into it unless you know who hit you?

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by meaux61

I have had WONDERFUL service from Liberty Mutual on my smart.
I hit a deer on Tuesday morning. They took care of everything. They are even paying to have the car towed to Indy to have the windshield replaced and the airbag light reset.

The total estimate for my repair is: $2387.39.
I know that the left front quarter panel cost $155.00.
To rewrap and ship is $525.00.
So, say my car was not wrapped, the whole repair cost would be $1862.39

So, the $1862.39 includes the windshield with rain sensor, left front quarter panel, left side mirror, left tail light, towing back and forth from Urbana Il to Indianapolis (130 miles each way), and labor. I also got a rental car unlimited, since they originally towed my car to a liberty mutual partner body shop.

Meaux

Nice to hear that you have been "very" well taken care of All we ever seem to hear about is the "bad", nice to hear the "good" (which actually is MOST of the time ) for a change.

You definitely have a "class" act with Liberty. I wish/hope we all did !!!