Insurance Claim Question

[Sidekicknichola]

My fiance's car - Lexus IS250 recently came into contact with a turkey which caused the headlight to crack - all cracking is on the engine side - no damage was seen on the outside of the housing, we thought all was well. .... these cracks at the mounting brackets allowed water into the headlight and the water sat on the ballast for the HID bulbs - didn't take long before it corroded and now the HID bulb won't light up (the bulb will run on the passenger side - so I know its the ballast).

Here is what I'm hoping to do - file a claim with the insurance company ($250 deductible and no premium increase because it was "Act of God/Nature") and hope the Lexus dealership will allow me to replace the housing (both passenger and driver side) using these:
http://is.sewellparts.com/accessories-catalog/Exterior/IS250-2006/2400.html

.... since Lexus does NOT sell just a ballast, if the insurance company questions why I need both, do I have a legit argument with insurance saying I want them both replaced at the same time seeing as headlights are a safety feature?... and the link above is for a package deal only.

Just one standard housing from Lexus is $1200 without bulbs, where-as the package above is two housings, bulbs, and ballast all together in one plug-n-play kit.


What are my odds of getting her the new 2012+ headlights?.... any other thoughts on how to get this accomplished?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

If you're doing this through the dealer then it's fairly unlikely. You might be able to find an independent repair shop that would do it, but IMO just go with the stock lights. I have yet to see a true OEM quality replacement headlight setup.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

I have yet to see a true OEM quality replacement headlight setup

These are OEM - they are through Sewell Lexus in Texas.... they take a 2012 headlight housing and alter the wiring clip so it fits up with 2006-2010 ISX wiring clips. It has a Lexus part number associated with it.

 

[NutBucket]

Totally depends on the shop. An independent might be willing to get the 2012 part as the insurance replacement leaving you to buy the other light. You really need to talk to some shops and see what they're willing to do.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

These are OEM - they are through Sewell Lexus in Texas.... they take a 2012 headlight housing and alter the wiring clip so it fits up with 2006-2010 ISX wiring clips. It has a Lexus part number associated with it.

Ah, gotcha.

In my experience with car dealers and insurance repairs such as this, the dealer submits an actual line item work order of what they will replace. You're effectively asking the dealer to falsify some of the documents which is likely considered a form of insurance fraud.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

You're effectively asking the dealer to falsify some of the documents which is likely considered a form of insurance fraud.

That was I am afraid they'll see it as.... it honestly works out to being about $200 more expensive for the insurance company to have to replace both housings with the link above than just one the "normal" way....

Totally depends on the shop

The insurance company wants it done through a Lexus or Toyota dealership, I was hoping to just get the check cut to me and replace them myself, but they weren't having any of that.

 

[NutBucket]

Because otherwise there's a good chance you'd take the money and run. I was cut a check once when I got hit but that's because the person that hit me (and her insurance) was from another state.

Also, there's no way they'll replace both housings if only one is damaged.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

You might try asking your insurance company to have an advisor look at it and cut you a check. Tell them you want to do the work yourself, they may work with you on it.

The risk is they write you a check for $1400 or whatever as final payment on the incident, then they open it up to discover another $1000 in unknown damage which you would be unable to recoup.

 

[uclabachelor]

My fiance's car - Lexus IS250 recently came into contact with a turkey which caused the headlight to crack - all cracking is on the engine side - no damage was seen on the outside of the housing, we thought all was well. .... these cracks at the mounting brackets allowed water into the headlight and the water sat on the ballast for the HID bulbs - didn't take long before it corroded and now the HID bulb won't light up (the bulb will run on the passenger side - so I know its the ballast).

Here is what I'm hoping to do - file a claim with the insurance company ($250 deductible and no premium increase because it was "Act of God/Nature") and hope the Lexus dealership will allow me to replace the housing (both passenger and driver side) using these:
http://is.sewellparts.com/accessories-catalog/Exterior/IS250-2006/2400.html

.... since Lexus does NOT sell just a ballast, if the insurance company questions why I need both, do I have a legit argument with insurance saying I want them both replaced at the same time seeing as headlights are a safety feature?... and the link above is for a package deal only.

Just one standard housing from Lexus is $1200 without bulbs, where-as the package above is two housings, bulbs, and ballast all together in one plug-n-play kit.


What are my odds of getting her the new 2012+ headlights?.... any other thoughts on how to get this accomplished?

Good luck trying to convince the dealer and insurance to do that. Unless you know someone that works at a dealership, they are not going to hack a part to make it fit your vehicle because they will be liable for it if something goes wrong.

You have infinitely better chances of getting your car fixed under insurance at the dealer, selling the newly installed lights yourself, and using that money to upgrade to whatever you want.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Or how about this novel idea - pay the extra out of your own pocket for the upgrade.

If you don't want to do that, then just settle with the original replacement.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Good luck trying to convince the dealer and insurance to do that. Unless you know someone that works at a dealership, they are not going to hack a part to make it fit your vehicle because they will be liable for it if something goes wrong.

No hacking required - they are plug and play. I just got an email back from the dealership that said they'll order from the TX dealer if insurance is cool with it.

Or how about this novel idea - pay the extra out of your own pocket for the upgrade.

If it was my car I might consider it, but since it is for the Mrs. a working headlight is #1, if, I can get the new fancy once thrown in all the better.... I really don't want to pay more than the deductible

 

[SpatiallyAware]

No hacking required - they are plug and play. I just got an email back from the dealership that said they'll order from the TX dealer if insurance is cool with it.


If it was my car I might consider it, but since it is for the Mrs. a working headlight is #1, if, I can get the new fancy once thrown in all the better.... I really don't want to pay more than the deductible

Just stick with the stock headlights.