[ft1330]

Had my 2014 335i less than a month and I got rear-ended while stopped at a traffic light by a frigging Audi!!! Why am I so unlucky.

It was a light hit and resulted in some scratched up paint and dents on the rear bumper. I've called my insurance and they said my best bet was to contact the at-fault party's insurance so I would get paid faster. If I go through my insurance I will have to pay up-front up to my collision deduc and then get reimbursed only after my insurance goes after the other insurance, which can take up to 9 months. So I decided to go with option 1.

Called the other insurance and they forced me to go to their in-network body shop to get the appraisal. I specifically asked if I could go to my own shop for the actual work and they said yes, even if there is a price difference. I think it's the law in PA.

That's when I'm starting to doubt. The BMW dealership where I bought the car sends their cars to an independent high-end body shop that works on exotics etc. Obviously they must be more than the in-network shop. If I take my car there are they forced to pay 100% of the cost of am I responsible for the difference (assuming a large difference)?

[BavarianFanatic]

They'll adjust as necessary once the shop you're using gets into it.

This is why I love my carrier. They handle the claim directly and then THEY go after the other insurance company. Hell, they even send an appraiser to me so I don't have to go get an estimate myself.

[ft1330]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

They'll adjust as necessary once the shop you're using gets into it.

This is why I love my carrier. They handle the claim directly and then THEY go after the other insurance company. Hell, they even send an appraiser to me so I don't have to go get an estimate myself.

That's what they said but I found it weird that they would let me use anyone and pay up regardless of cost. If you know Karosserie in KoP that's my preferred choice or Classic Coachwork of the Main Line (both places belong to the same co.) I think those are high $$$ places especially Karosserie. Can they go after me for the price difference? Assuming Karosserie is 2x as much as the crappy place they had me appraise at.

What is your insurance co? Mine is State Farm. I thought they would go out and battle it out for me but I guess not??

[BavarianFanatic]

Both good shops. The appraisal is to quantify the damage, not the cost. Labor rates obviously vary. These guys do insurance work all the time. They'll take care of the details. They'll also tell you up front if they anticipate any problems. State Farm is usually decent. Did you press the issue of them covering it up front? PA is a no fault state anyway so I would think they are primary and it's their issue to collect from the other carrier. I have Amica.

[IM2C]

Had that happen to me back in 08 with a 2 week old e92. It sucks. It sucks. Then again it's a car. It'l get patched up.

[claykin]

Just make certain body shop uses OEM bumper and other parts (if needs to be replaced) and OEM specified paint (usually BASF). BMW actually provides paint to body shops (with BMW logo on can).

Then ask shop if they spray water based? If they do, be sure they have gone through the BASF certification program. You can call BASF USA and get the name/nunber of the local refinish rep who can confirm for you.

[lighthousemoon]

That sucks. I have State Farm too and am in Montgomeryville and had a bike fall on my 2001 BMW 330i and State Farm let me use Thompson's detail and collision shop and paid for it all. Both State Farm and Thompson took great care of me!

[newoldbeemer]

How do geico and aaa compare in situations like this?

[rallybull]

OP, I had the same issue. A few points:
1) the insurance company cannot "steer" you towards any body shop. That is illegal.
2) go to the shop that is an approved BMW collision center. Talk to them that you want original BMW replacement parts. They will talk to the insurance company on your behalf.
3) finally file a claim with the insurance company due to "diminished value" as a result of the car now having an accident history. Just google for how to do it.

[ft1330]

Originally Posted by rallybull

OP, I had the same issue. A few points:
1) the insurance company cannot "steer" you towards any body shop. That is illegal.
2) go to the shop that is an approved BMW collision center. Talk to them that you want original BMW replacement parts. They will talk to the insurance company on your behalf.
3) finally file a claim with the insurance company due to "diminished value" as a result of the car now having an accident history. Just google for how to do it.

1) Agreed.

2) There are "approved" body shops in that the dealer uses them. And then there are the real deal "BMW certified body shop" of which there are a handful in the northeast. The closest one to me is 40 miles away in another state...

3) For a small bumper dent?

[rallybull]

Originally Posted by ft1330

1) Agreed.

2) There are "approved" body shops in that the dealer uses them. And then there are the real deal "BMW certified body shop" of which there are a handful in the northeast. The closest one to me is 40 miles away in another state...

3) For a small bumper dent?

2) that's unfortunate.
3) yes, check the car fax for your car after a few weeks. It will report a minor accident. You will lose a few customers right there. The rest will low ball you citing that the car has a less than perfect history. It's a pain.

[Presario]

Sorry to hear about this. Some great advice here. Hopefully it gets fixed as good as new!

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by rallybull

2) that's unfortunate.
3) yes, check the car fax for your car after a few weeks. It will report a minor accident. You will lose a few customers right there. The rest will low ball you citing that the car has a less than perfect history. It's a pain.

Not all states record minor accident events so that's not a given. Just document the damage and keep the invoices to show potential buyers the insignificance of the damage.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

Not all states record minor accident events so that's not a given. Just document the damage and keep the invoices to show potential buyers the insignificance of the damage.

+1 on that. Car will diminish in value if it gets to carfax record. So make sure you have a proof to show the potential buyer how minor it was

[ft1330]

I'll make sure to keep all the records. Truth be told my goal was to keep the car a very long time. Now if it keeps rattling on me I may have to part out earlier than I anticipated but that's a different story...

[cchan21]

geico is the same thing, in NY if matters.

gave me 2 options, contact the other insurance and go from there. or let geico handle it for you, but you front the deductible and they hope to get it back.

they got my deductible in about 2 months.

[JamesMA]

Same thing happened to me last year (same time of year) after having the car for 2 months (stopped at a light in construction traffic with cops around too!? - asshat 2 cars behind hit the guy right behind me, who was launched into me). Ended up with a new bumper cover (guy in between not so lucky). Assumimg the car is otherwise drivable, and based on time of year, I was recomend you play this out and get the other guys insurance to pay everything and get the work done in the springso car will have time to cure in warmer temps.

[mrich1353]

I don't think you can get diminished value in PA regardless of damage.

[ft1330]

Originally Posted by mrich1353

I don't think you can get diminished value in PA regardless of damage.

I looked it up, it looks like you can. I may give it a try. This is going to be a little tricky though because I have to give numbers and prove them...

[BavarianFanatic]

Diminished value is really only relevant for significant damage. A bumper cover isn't so significant. I wouldn't bother.

[James550i6spd]

As someone said, you are not required to take it to their shop of choice. Once the insurance company admits responsibility, you have the right to take it to any licensed repair shop. The insurance estimator will call that shop and either accept their rates or negotiate with them.