Auto insurance and your vehicle.

[dja4260]

Obviously you have to have insurance. I've never made a claim and my current provider is GEICO. I was speaking to my uncle whom works for a large auto repair chain. He works with certain insurance companies only. He stated the GEICO won't work with them and they use their own shops(because shop rates are cheap). He also stated that they are the cheapest/hardest to deal with from his end.

Since I have a 2013 car, I want to make sure that my car would be fixed using auto shops that I choose vs. being forced to use their shops.

Anyone else see what I'm getting at?

Any past experiences or advice?

Thanks,

 

[JHZR2]

I thought that was the law in most places - that you can use the shop of your choosing and the parts of your choice in a damage situation.

If you weren't at fault, I wonder how much of it has to do with the other insurance...

 

[dja4260]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I thought that was the law in most places - that you can use the shop of your choosing and the parts of your choice in a damage situation.

If you weren't at fault, I wonder how much of it has to do with the other insurance...


Well I would go through my insurance and have to repaired where I choose. My insurance would in-turn collect from the other party involved.

My father was just t-boned by someone w/ no license. He went through is insurance (American Family), and they went after the company he worked for.


I didn't care about my previous car and or repair facilities. Since my car is brand new, I'd want it repaired where I choose. I've never heard of ANY of geicos repair facilities. That bothers me.

 

[ctrcbob]

Although I can't answer your exact question, I will tell you that I have a loooooong memory, and refuse to buy GEICO.
(Government Employees Insurance COmpany). Back when I was a young man, I saw all the Geico ads, both on the radio and in print. Wanted to switch to them. Although I had no accidents, and no tickets, they would not insure me, but rather tried to get me to go with their other insurance company, called "Criterian" insurance, which would cost me twice what Geico would cost. I told them to go pound salt.

Don't know if they are now good or bad, but they will not have me for a customer.

 

[dja4260]

While living at home w/ parents I had American Family. I switched to GEICO to save $35 per month as I was in college.

I'm now making a decent living; hence the new car, and want to insure it wisely in the unlikely event of an accident.

 

[SaturnIonVue]

Laws vary from state to state, but so far as I know Geico allows you to choose the repair shop that you want to use. They offer their selected shops as an alternative and warrant the repairs for the life of the vehicle. I've been with Geico for at least 15 years, and had to have body work twice or maybe three times with and without using their select shops with no issues.

So, while some of what your uncle says may be true, I think being forced to use their select shops might not be the case. Call them and find out what they say before you jump to another company, would be my advice.

 

[dja4260]

Originally Posted By: SaturnIonVue
Laws vary from state to state, but so far as I know Geico allows you to choose the repair shop that you want to use. They offer their selected shops as an alternative and warrant the repairs for the life of the vehicle. I've been with Geico for at least 15 years, and had to have body work twice or maybe three times with and without using their select shops with no issues.

So, while some of what your uncle says may be true, I think being forced to use their select shops might not be the case. Call them and find out what they say before you jump to another company, would be my advice.



I can only us "Collision center of America" & "Collision Revision" repair centers. I don't have the freedom of choosing my own shop.

 

[dparm]

The problem is that while you may be able to choose any shop, the "reimbursement rate" for labor is likely to be under what the shop charges.


Example: You choose body shop ABC which has a flat rate of $90/hr for repairs. But Geico says we only pay our "preferred shops" $60/hr. You will get a fat bill at the end for that $30/hr difference.


Geico can get away with the $60/hr because the shops know it will bring them tons of business, and they agree to that rate. Cheaper insurance companies have lower rates and that's why some body shops won't work with them.

Here's some anecdotal evidence for you. I was getting my windows tinted at a very well-known body shop in the area last month. While I was in there, the shop foreman was talking to one of his employees about how "[customer's] lousy insurance company was only going to cover labor at $38/hr, which means I would have to take a loss". He called the customer and told her she has to pay the difference or go somewhere else for repairs, and that next time she shouldn't go for a cheapo insurance company.

 

[BradyBunch]

The laws do state the customer has a right to choose the body shop. I experienced a flimsey hood replacement using my insurance companies body shop.
The only problem is how to find a good honest shop to use.
.

 

[azjake]

JMO, but if the insurance company was guaranteeing the repairs for the life of your vehicle if you go with their preferred shop, why not do it. That doesn't mean you have to accept inferior aftermarket parts. Certainly for any repairs related to engine, transmission, suspension you could make a strong case for OEM or OEM equivalent parts. You could also make the case that any body parts used must meet the manufacturers OEM part for crash safety.

 

[JustinH]

A lot of rumors and falsehoods so far.

I've had GEICO car insurance for 10+ years. Made three claims with them, two glass claims and one accident.

All 3 times, when I made the claim the rep asked if I would take the car to their sponsored shop (which actually is one of the top shops in buffalo also). I said no, and took it to the shop that my family friend owns. They had no problem at all. Never had a problem with an adjuster. I have no problem using aftermarket/used parts on my 10 year old car, this is how they cut costs. I guess if you want OEM everything then take your car to a dealership collision shop to be fixed.

My premium with GEICO is about 40% lower than ANY other insurance company I have quoted in the past 5 years. Its not even close.

GEICO is offering homeowner insurance policies through Traveler's Insurance, I had one for about 5 years then they jacked the rate up, I cancelled and went elsewhere. The rates on their car insurance still can't be beat.

 

[dja4260]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
A lot of rumors and falsehoods so far.

I've had GEICO car insurance for 10+ years. Made three claims with them, two glass claims and one accident.

All 3 times, when I made the claim the rep asked if I would take the car to their sponsored shop (which actually is one of the top shops in buffalo also). I said no, and took it to the shop that my family friend owns. They had no problem at all. Never had a problem with an adjuster. I have no problem using aftermarket/used parts on my 10 year old car, this is how they cut costs. I guess if you want OEM everything then take your car to a dealership collision shop to be fixed.

My premium with GEICO is about 40% lower than ANY other insurance company I have quoted in the past 5 years. Its not even close.

GEICO is offering homeowner insurance policies through Traveler's Insurance, I had one for about 5 years then they jacked the rate up, I cancelled and went elsewhere. The rates on their car insurance still can't be beat.


My car isn't 10 years old. I would have a problem with the repair shop not using OEM parts. I understand that you get what you pay for in a sense. Maybe I should look at other providers that would use the shops that I would want to fix or repair my car.

 

[zmelli]

I use Wawanesa.