Can anyone recommend a good autobody repair shop in the MD area? I rear-ended someone yesterday and while there's no damage to her Jeep Cherokee, the front end of Estrella has been mashed. It's drivable, thank goodness.

My insurance company suggested a couple of autobody shops like Tru-2-Form, but I'm nervous they wouldn't have the first clue as to fixing a MINI.

I no longer have warranty on the car, so taking it to Tate is out of the question, unless Tate is accepted by my insurance.

This is the first accident I've ever caused of the 8 years I've been driving and I don't want to make a wrong decision in who I choose to repair her.

 

Sorry to hear Kat. I'm no help on body shops.

 

If the body/frame isn't damaged, take it to Tate and they can order replacement pieces. Insurance will/should pay for it.

If the damage is more than just replacing pieces, like bending structural pieces back into shape and whatnot, look for a good body shop. You can try PM'ing Will M. (former Tate service advisor) here on NAM @ username ApexinM3... I believe with his new line of work he may have some advice/guidance for ya.

 

Thanks. I doubt that the body/frame is damaged, but I was too exhausted when I got home to even take a really good look at it, so I'm not 100% sure.

If I were to call Tate and they ordered replacement parts, would any body shop more than likely put them on?

I'll PM Will M. and ask for his sound advice.

 

Kat couldn't you just take you car to Tate and have their body shop do all the work and they bill your insurance?

 

See I don't know if Statefarm will cover that or not. I already have a $500 deductable, I don't want to have to pay more than that to get my car fixed.

**EDIT**

Just spoke with my insurance co. and Tate's Auto Body actually falls under their service first option, so I can actually go to Tate, have them fix everything and then bill the insurance co.

For those that have taken their cars in for service and received loaners, did you receive the loaner because it fell under your warranty? Did you have to put down a certain percentage? I was thinking that since I have rental insurance I could get a loaner pumpkin, like mdsbrain, but if receiving a loaner falls under warranty, I won't be able to.

Oh, another question: Are there any recommended rental car agencies out there that allow persons under the age of 25 to rent?

 

We took Stella at Tate for some minor repairs to her bumper. They did a good job and had the car ready when promised. A friend of mine, however, got her BMW repaired at Tate and they did an OK job. Forgot to put a panel door back and small stuff like that. She was not pleased.

Wagnbat's suggestion to contact Will M. is a great idea. Wiil worked for MINI and if he still working at the body shop can give you a professional advise. In any case, take your MINI where you feel more confortable.
Keep up posted..

MD STREGA2
22 GS

PS; When Stella was at Tate no loaner was offered even if the car was only 1 mo old and still under warranty.

 

My sister's MCC was repaired @ Tate. A small fender bender. The body shop did a great job to repair it but it sat there a long time due to a backordered part.

 

Thanks all.

I PM'd Will M. and am actually going to Tate this afternoon for an estimate. Will keep everyone posted on what they say.

 

Lots of agencies allow under 25 to rent, but charge more. Do you have rental coverage on your insurance?

As for Tate loaners, somewhere I read something saying loaners are for service and warranty only, not insurance work. I'm not sure if I read it at Tate or another dealership, but I do remember reading it.

 

Yeah, the rental coverage is like 80/20, where I pay 20%.

And Steve explained that he thought loaners were simply for service only too and that the only car they could possibly give to me was on loan. It was a Chevy Cavalier. I just have to find someplace that doesn't charge you gas prices for the time you rent. Heh.

 

Just a minor update:

I PM'd Will M. as Wagnbat suggested, but unfortunately due to the whole proximity thing and his shop being in Kent Island, I won't be able to take it to him for repair. Although he did say, and cross my heart it doesn't happen, that if I need an autobody shop anytime soon, he'd be more than willing to help out. Thanks, Will for pointing me in the right direction.

I took the little one to Tate yesterday and it's going to take them 10 working days to fix it. I didn't realize that I hit the Jeep that hard, but I guess it being a titanium tank and all, it didn't matter how hard I hit it. Dave didn't open the trunk when he took the estimate, so right now it's at $1500. Luckily, the insurance company is taking care of half of that. I drop it off on Monday and that's it for 2 weeks - no Estrella. No zipping around corners, no downshifting, no more sunroof for those nice upcoming warm days. I have a rental car, but I'm not sure what kind of little car they're going to give me. Maybe a Kia? heh.

 

Good to hear.

Whatever their Enterprise rental service has at the time. They use mostly Chev since they are right there.