I have my mini cooper 2008 (got it on July which I shipped to san antonio texas from nj recently. Last week when I was driving in highway at night I ran over some hazardous/truck board which is lying on the road(I am not able to see becoz of dark). This made my all the tires worn out and rim got affected. Now I have my car in san antonio tx mini cooper dealership.

I am trying for a claim from my insurance company 21st century. They are not willing to pay the Texas San Antonio Mini Cooper dealer's labor charges as stated below becoz they believe it is 4 times the cost of normal body shop rates ($120/hour but the mini gave a labor total charge as $1020 as listed below). So they wanna move to some other body shop. I need help in recommending any other mini cooper auto/body shop to fix the below things. In case if you have any other idea/suggestions please feel free to let me know. As this is my new car and now it not drivable condition I want it to get repaired in mini authorized dealer shop.

If they refuse, shall I tell them that I will complaint to Dept Of Insurance Texas?
Do you think the below rates outrageous? This is my first post in NAM forum.

1. 3 TIRES
515.28 PARTS
150.00 LABOR

2. 4 WHEELS
1128.40 PARTS
50.00 LABOR

3. FRONT STRUT MOUNTS
236.46 PARTS
625.00 LABOR

4. 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT
195.00 LABOR


Any idea about this body shop in san antonio tx:
1. Loredo oaint body shop
2. The Ancira Body Shop is located at
5901 Wurzbach Road,
San Antonio, TX 78238

I also attached the pictures in below link.
http://www.ampminsure.org/start/about8144.html#48221

Thanks,
Selva

 

It's not the insurance company's decision where you get your car fixed - stick to your guns.

 

Those prices don't seem outrageous for a dealership. You shouldn't really go to a body shop for those repairs so their comparison to a body shop isn't applicable.

I'd switch insurance companies once you get this worked out and realize that the best price on insurance doesn't always (or ever) get you the best coverage. I pay probably $350 - $400 more a year for insurance through Travelers then I would if I just went with the best price and but whenever we need something done what and how we take care of it and who we choose to do the work is our choice. Period.

 

Yes, two hours of labor to mount wheels and tires is outrageous. BUT - it's what you'll get charged at a dealership. Have the insurance company call the dealership and work it out or ask them for an "approved" shop and then call the places on the list and ask if they've ever worked on a MINI before.

 

I'm dealing with the same problem myself. What State Farm explained to me is that they will pay to fix the damage but they only pay what the current average among numerous shops in the area is. I can elect to have it fixed at a BMW dealer although I would be responsible for any amount above and beyond what was estimated. If you contact your insurance company that is probably what they mean. I called the BMW dealer and they recommended several shops they deal with on a regular basis and I chose one of those. Good luck.

 

My dealership works directly with the insurance company and they decide together what the estimate is. No hassle.