Auto Body Shop estimate vs insurance appraisal?

[PoPPeR]

To keep it short and simple

Two body shops in the eastern bay area (jim's auto body walnut creek, mikes auto body concord)

Jim's estimate: $2500
Insurance Appraisal Guys estimate: $3000
Mike's Auto Body Estimate: $3000+

I heard that insurance appraisals were usually purposely inflated somewhat over what a standard auto body shop would estimate. I called our local acura dealership and they told me they send all their cars to Mike's, which is why I went there in the first place. Both, from what I hear, have very solid reputations, but what can cause such a drastic price difference when the cost of physical replacement costs are very similar across the board ($400-430)

 

[BoomerD]

Compare the actual estimates. No telling what one included that the other one didn't. Might be one allowed time on the frame machine that the other one didn't. Could be a number of factors, including labor rates, but I'd think most shops in the area would be pretty much about the same on that.

 

[PoPPeR]

since the bill is being footed by the other parties insurance company, should I just take it to whatever body shop acura recommends? I'd rather not deal with the whole situation, and my parents were just happy at first that we were getting a $3000 check when the first estimate was only for $2500.

 

[laketrout]

Good call BoomerD. I wonder if both shops are using the same number of OEM parts. Is labour involved in the cost as well? That does sounds like quite the discrepency.

That sucks that you have to have ANY major body work done at all. My condolences to your Acura.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
since the bill is being footed by the other parties insurance company, should I just take it to whatever body shop acura recommends? I'd rather not deal with the whole situation, and my parents were just happy at first that we were getting a $3000 check when the first estimate was only for $2500.

Regardless of who is footing the bill, you'll want the best repair you can get. If there's any frame damage, consider selling/trading the car once it's fixed. Frame damage, even once straightned can lead to all kinds of headaches down the road...bad tire wear, suspension issues, etc. My personal opinion, is that anytime there's significant damage to a vehicle, you get rid of it once it's repaird. Yes, a fender/hood MIGHT not be too bad, (depending on what was damaged UNDER the hood, but IME, any significant collision tends to shift things around in ways they weren't meant to be, and the car is never quite right again afterwards...

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

if you haven't submitted the bill yet, head over to brooks motors in oakland near the airport. they are one of the best body shops in the area, have them give you an estimate, then you can either have them fix it or have someone else fix it.

 

[PoPPeR]

thanks for the advice. I couldn't believe that it would cost over $3000 for what looks like such minimal damage in the first place. Here are some pics:

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[imported_weadjust]

$3000 doesn't sound bad. I used to do auto appraisals/estimates as an independent ins. adjuster.

Make sure the gap between the door and rear quarter panel is consitent when the repair is complete. White paint is the least expensive and easiest to match. Should not be noticable if job is done correctly.

 

[MasterAndCommander]

Wow...that's $3k of damage? I had a fender bender recently and it ended up costing the insurance $2335 to fix mine.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1884590&enterthread=y

 

[essasin]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
To keep it short and simple

Two body shops in the eastern bay area (jim's auto body walnut creek, mikes auto body concord)

Jim's estimate: $2500
Insurance Appraisal Guys estimate: $3000
Mike's Auto Body Estimate: $3000+

I heard that insurance appraisals were usually purposely inflated somewhat over what a standard auto body shop would estimate. I called our local acura dealership and they told me they send all their cars to Mike's, which is why I went there in the first place. Both, from what I hear, have very solid reputations, but what can cause such a drastic price difference when the cost of physical replacement costs are very similar across the board ($400-430)

I highly recommend you go to Newark Collision over on Thorton Ave. Coming from 880 going southbound make a right on Thorton and keep going all the way down. Speak to Eddie he did an excellent job on my car. I have a showshine paintjob and super clean body. This guy does A LOT of cars from classics to imports. Tell him Brian with the green mustang convertible sent you. My car was fubared and if you live in the east bay you can check out the job he did on my car. It is a night and day difference.

What usually happens is that you bring the car to the body shop and the adjuster comes over to look at the car. The adjuster then gives the estimate to the body shop. The adjuster then gives you the check. Once the intial estimate is done, the body shop does a complete tear down to check for any more dmg.

 

[jupiter57]

This thread reminded me of a situation I was in a long time ago concerning Body Shop and Insurance estimates.

Got hit in the side by a lady as she pulled out of a parking lot.
Got estimates on the repairs (all said "Totalled), though one guy said he could fix it for $1200.
First thing Monday morning, insurance adjuster comes to my house, looks the car over and asks me how much I would take to keep the car and just settle. I was thinking $400-$500, but went all out and told him that I was quoted a price of $1200 to fix it.
He kinda sighed and started with his calclator, when he was finished, he said"Looks like your guy was not far off", said he comes up with $1187.00!
I asked him what he meant by that? He then asked me if I would take $1187 and settle?
I said yes, of course.
Funny thing was, I had the car for 3+ years, bought it used for $350, and had driven it over 100,000 miles.
Parked it in the yard, put a "For Sale" sign on it, and sold it for $350!

 

[CellarDoor]

Check out the warranties of these shops as well. I had a thread a while back about my car with $12,500 in damage. The car was fixed at the place my insurance used, and at the very least, they have a lifetime warranty on all the things they fixed.

 

[fitzov]

Originally posted by: jupiter57
This thread reminded me of a situation I was in a long time ago concerning Body Shop and Insurance estimates.

Got hit in the side by a lady as she pulled out of a parking lot.
Got estimates on the repairs (all said "Totalled), though one guy said he could fix it for $1200.
First thing Monday morning, insurance adjuster comes to my house, looks the car over and asks me how much I would take to keep the car and just settle. I was thinking $400-$500, but went all out and told him that I was quoted a price of $1200 to fix it.
He kinda sighed and started with his calclator, when he was finished, he said"Looks like your guy was not far off", said he comes up with $1187.00!
I asked him what he meant by that? He then asked me if I would take $1187 and settle?
I said yes, of course.
Funny thing was, I had the car for 3+ years, bought it used for $350, and had driven it over 100,000 miles.
Parked it in the yard, put a "For Sale" sign on it, and sold it for $350!

how much did you pay for the insurance over three years?