My wife was in an accident with an uninsured motorist. The idiot was texting and blew a red light, clipped the driver's side front of the car. Took the body shop over a month to get all the parts and we pick it up and the shop broke the windshield. Anyway, they replaced it after a week. Pick the car up a second time, drive to a restaurant and have dinner, drive home and park in the garage. There was scratches in the paint (blemishes really). Took a buffer and wax to it, hood looks really nice; but, the blemishes (scuffing) is up under the clear coat. Decide to take it back for a reshoot and have them fix a problem with the wheel well trim not fitting correctly to the front bumper cover.

Drive the 10 miles to the body shop and now the passenger side of the front end has dropped approximately 1/2 inch leaving a big gap around the headlight and between the hood and bumper.

They said to bring it back monday and they will give us a rental while they fix the problem and reshoot the paint. I hope they get it right this time. I think I'm gonna call the insurance adjustor about the problem.

 

Mistakes happen but they need to fix it. I would call and file a complaint with your insurance company as well.

I'm guessing that you took it to a shop that your insurance company suggested. Me personally would never go with the insurance company picks unless you have heard reviews of it being good. Although they may say they work with these shops for convenience, that's a convenience in there favor and not always yours. To many times have I spoke to people that had botched jobs because the insurance company recommended it.

I would also call and ask to speak to the shops manager to make sure hes filled in on the issues just in case.

 

Agreed with M'Cooper here. I try to avoid 'Insurance Recommended' shops, because they're not usually known for turning out high quality work.

I would call your insurance provider and let them know about the quality concerns you're dealing with.

 

What happens if you take it to a shop of your choice? You are insured...bottom line. Also may need to go to small claims court to recoup any outstanding non paid nsurance claims. Things like this really are horrible......Is your wife OK? THAT's what counts. However, when some snot sniviling immature driver gets to go hassel free from the mess he created, it's time to take his butt to court.

 

That sucks, I hope they straighten it out for you.

I went to my insurance companies suggested shop, a fairly well known chain. It took nearly a month to get everything done, and I had to go back three times before the door striker was aligned properly (It was very hard to close and didn't quite line up.) but they did do a good job on the paint... just the passenger door was hit, but they shot all three panels and blended it nicely. It was a hassle going back again and and again, but in the end the car is as good as new. I hope yours will be too.

Edit: The point my insurance company made about using their shop, was that they were preauthorized to spend money, so it allegedly would speed up the process, where an indie would have to call and get approval for everything. They also gave me a new Mercedes as a loaner because MINI/BMW is a "luxury" brand so they have some nice loaners for people who are used to driving nice cars.

 

Very sorry to hear about your accident and issues with repairs. That can really be a headache when you want the car restored to Mini specs, fit and finish. I know from my own personal experience, that here in Canada (not sure if you have the same there) that Mini/BMW has their own certified body shops. These shops are certified and approved for all materials, fit and finish as specified by them. Having said that, the work is guaranteed for LIFETIME. The Mini and BMW dealers has names of the certified shops That is about the best anyone can get in the industry, whereby the manuf, stands by this. I know, and man it really separates the bad shops from the good. So my question is, was this body shop approved by Mini. Also, the adjuster can tell you where to take the car for work, but you the owner has the last say and can go wherever you want, at least here in Canada....all the best, sorry again about your delima. Hope my info will help you.

 

Well, as an update I emailed the insurance company (USAA) which is well known for their customer service, etc. Last night (sunday), I sent the email with a chronological report as to what has occurred. They actually responded within a half an hour. This morning I take the car to the body shop and we shall see what happens. I understand the insurance co is going to send someone to the shop to investigate.

The collision place is rated number 1, this episode makes me wonder...lol. I personally would have brought the car to the dealership (they have a body shop); but, wife didn't think of it. If I owned the body shop business, I would have a little better quality control and never would have delivered the car with the paint job it had and the busted windshield. Granted they aren't giving me a hassle about fixing the windshield (I could hear the denials...but they were all in my mind). They took care of that w/o a problem. Just got the car back covered in paint dust and the interior was filthy with it...shoe prints on doors and such. Almost like someone was expressing their anger. Well we shall see.

 

Take pics of the car in that condition and foward to USAA...let them know this is the type of service they are recommending....I'd be PISSED beyond belief. ALso, I would demand the car go somewhere else...you know have the ball in your court with a car returned in this condition...............

 

They get one more chance to fix it right. Talked with the manager and asked that he make sure it is right and doesn't need to come back again. They are also footing the bill for a rental while they work on it. You really can expect anymore. Now just pray another car falls of the lift and onto my car to total it. Then they can buy a new one. lol.

 

We have had USAA auto for over 50 years in my family. They are without a doubt the best I know of. They've had every reason to drop my brother years ago, or raise my rates, but never did. They'll do you right.

 

I feel your pain. My car is presently in the shop with repairs that are suppose to be done on insurance's bill. They decided they would pay one amount, then changed it. Now I'm hoping that the shop will honor the new insurance amount, I really don't want to have to pay out of pocket for an accident I could have never avoided.

Hope it works out well for both of us!