My husband was involved in a car wreck last week with our 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup. The accident wasn’t his fault. He was hit by a teenage driver carrying a carload of friends to school. The boy’s insurance company told us we could get the vehicle fixed for $2407.56. When we took it to an auto body repair shop we know for an estimate, we were told there was more like $4,000 in repairs that needed to be done to fix the truck the way it should be fixed. Do we have the right to dispute what the insurance company adjuster told us or do we have to take what they say it can be fixed for? We are not crooks trying to take advantage of anyone. We just want to be paid what they owe us.
Sarah
Dayton, Ohio
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I have a well-kept older sports car that is all dressed out with custom accessories and a nice set of factory aluminum wheels. This car is a real head-turner and loads of fun to drive. As usual I was driving way too fast on some mountainous roads and not paying close enough attention, when without warning I hit a pothole that nearly made the false teeth fall out of my mouth. The impact was so hard that it ruined both the tire and wheel on the right front of the car. I think there are probably some other damaged parts as well, but nothing too serious – at least I hope not.
I’m not going to turn this claim in to my insurance company because I don’t want my insurance rates to go up. The tires were weather-cracked and I was planning on replacing them with new ones anyway, so I was prepared for that expense.
As for the wheel, I can save quite a bit of money if I buy a reconditioned wheel instead of a brand new aluminum wheel from a dealer. The company says the reconditioned wheel will be as shiny as a new one, but that’s where I have a problem. If the new wheel is really shiny, it will probably stand out like a sore thumb against the dulled aluminum wheels on the rest of the car. What can I do to make dulled aluminum wheels shiny like new or reconditioned wheels?
Chuck
Charlotte, NC
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I bought car insurance on my Corvette from Progressive. After having a bad experience with another auto insurance company on an auto accident where I wasn’t even at fault, I saw the television commercials that promised a friendlier approach to claims and thought I’d give Progressive Insurance a try.
The insurance quote I received was lower, just as the television commercials said it might be, and I got comparisons on the spot that showed the hundreds of dollars I could expect to save over buying from other insurance companies. My greatest hope was that with Progressive Insurance being headquartered in Ohio where I live, I might stand a better chance of being treated fair than if I bought an insurance policy from a company headquartered in another state. By exploring coverage at other insurance companies, I hoped I might luck into finding an insurance company that really would be on my side, if you know what I mean.
Overall, Progressive Insurance seemed like a great deal. It was certainly better than I had with my previous insurance company, so I bought insurance coverage on the Corvette and another car.
Now, after having this new insurance policy a few months I’m hearing that Progressive Insurance may be hard to deal with after an auto accident. I’ve read some horror stories on Corvette Forum and other websites that give me reason to be concerned. I know you can’t believe everything you read, but there seems to be a lot of people who are not getting their cars repaired and their claims paid as they believe they should.
What is your opinion of Progressive Insurance and their new approach to claims?
Rick
Cleveland, Ohio
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In a recent auto accident I damaged the front bumper on my Toyota. I went to an auto body repair shop near my home in Cincinnati, Ohio that is supposed to be very good at auto collision repair, but they didn’t want to fix the damaged bumper. They suggested I use an aftermarket part to repair my car because it would be cheaper.
When I looked on the Internet to learn more about aftermarket parts, I realized very quickly that an aftermarket part, especially a bumper, might not be the best choice for me. Since there is only about $50 difference in the price between aftermarket parts and genuine Toyota parts needed for this repair, I’m leaning on the side of genuine Toyota parts.
Like most other people, I want replacement auto parts that fit like they’re supposed to and protect me should I get into another auto accident. From what I’ve read, there is some question if aftermarket parts can do that as well as genuine Toyota parts.
Another auto body shop just across the river from Cincinnati in Kentucky suggested I consider CAPA certified parts for my car. The guy said CAPA parts are tested and approved. Another secondary alternative he suggested was getting a used part from a wrecked Toyota in an auto salvage yard.
There are too many choices and I am confused. My Toyota is not a new car, so I’m not going to be overly fussy. But, I don’t want my safety compromised, especially over $50. Straight up, would you suggest new Toyota parts, salvage parts, CAPA certified parts or regular aftermarket parts for the repairs?
Jason
Cincinnati, Ohio
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