I didn't mean in a negative way that 21st "owes" me - they just owe me the service I'm paying for, of course! I don't harbor any ill feelings toward the auto-insurance industry.

As for State Farm accepting liability, they called me today, asked me if I was okay and if 21st was handling the repairs. I said "yes," and they thanked me for calling. I hope to hear from 21st tomorrow with an update.

Brecht will revise their estimate tomorrow (yeah, it's taken a week), then 21st's inspector will go out there Monday to approve it.

 

Yeah, I know you didn't mean it that way, bee... tried to say I wasn't directing it at you as much as others who might read it that way.

Yep, sounds like SF has accepted laibility if they're asking you if 21 has handled your property damage.

Good luck on the rest of the repair process.

 

Since you're on the topic of insurance reminders, I'd like to ask a question! Normally, I'm a mostly-intelligent individual, except when finances and business-babble start up. If we're only (ok, primarily) paying for peace of mind for SO many years of faithful payment/membership/insured-ness, why do premiums go up if we have an accident? I haven't had an accident on any of the (many) vehicles I've insured over the past ten years, but my insurance company warned me the premiums would go up. But said "they'd think about it" and would take into consideration time-in-membership, as well as time-since-last accident. Wow. Isn't that kind of them?

 

Because you're not *only* paying for the peace of mind, of course.

The premium you pay is related to the risk you present to the insurance company. And insurance companies have compiled miles and miles of actuarial statistics which show that drivers who have been involved in one or more accidents in which they were at-fault, are more likely to be involved in an accident in the future for which they are at-fault.

Now, yes... your insurance company was certainly being kind of you if they said they would consider not increasing your rates. I say this because normally it's a black-and-white proposition. Either you have earned "accident forgiveness" through years of being insured with them without at-fault accidents, or you haven't. For them to say they will consider it, tells me you haven't earned it but they might give it to you anyway.

And FYI... you have to have earned "accident forgiveness" on each policy for each vehicle, it doesn't apply across the board on every policy in your HH. It gets complicated.

Also keep this in mind: Insurance companies cannot set rules about raising premiums without proving to the respective State's Dept of Insurance that the increase is justifiable through actuarial data. It's not arbitrary, I assure you.

 

Ok. I get that. I don't completely AGREE, but I get it. Regardless of how much I deserve it (which i DO!), I still wouldn't trade my insurance company for anybody else. They have done enough for me in the past -- kindnesses and significant consideration, if you will -- because of my loyalty (and extent of coverages) that I will keep them. I shouldn't be sarcastic (it's my NATURE) about them; they've been my high-standards watch-dog for a long time. Ok. Chastised.

 

Sounds like you have a good company. Mind sharing who you are insured with ? I'm sure they'd love the good publicity.

 

I'm insured with USAA. I usually say this in a low voice, as it makes me sound very decadent, but I had so many vehicles insured with them at one point, that they gave me an $80-per vehicle "fleet discount." I ended up saving my husband (who had a separate policy to start with) a little over $1,200 one year, just for putting him on my policy. We were paying less than $200 a month for insuring six vehicles, four of which were in Germany! (Very expensive insurance in Europe.) They've also been very careful about who they refer their clients to -- for auto repair, house repair, realtors, banking/mortgages, etc. I am a HUGE fan of USAA, no matter how sarcastic I get.

 

I've been following this thread since the beginning, and I thought I would pop in for...

+1 to USAA, if you meet their membership requirements, I recommend them completely.....of course, my rates include homeowners and all my vehicles.

 

+1 to USAA from me as well. Been with 'em for auto insurance for 25 years now since my very first car as a teen. Carry homeowner's and life insurance with 'em as well (along with some of their non-insurance products). Can't say I've always agreed with every single thing they've done over the years, but always felt the customer service was excellent and they were always very responsive (I've heard the occasional horror story about their service, but never had a problem myself).

 

Being retired from the Air Force, and now employed by State Farm, I'm fully aware of USAA's service. Agree, they are a good company.

 

I too have read this thread in its entirety. It has taken many directions since its start.

Some comments seem to be a lot of personal opinion that may or may not be relevant.

My concern, being in the repair industry, is to see the finished product. And to get the owners degree of satisfaction with the work performed. I for one can not, and will not attempt to deliver a repaired vehicle that I myself wouldn't accept.

Insurance Companies do, without a doubt, have a huge say these days in the how, when and why of repairs. One very strong reason for that, is "SURVIVAL". The small shops are being gobbled up by the "Super Shops" that can and will give Insurance Companies the discounts they demand. They can afford it since they usually have more then one company to deal with.

Numbers don't lie, people do. Having been in the industry for nearly 32 years, I've seen and heard quite a lot of crazy stories. I like to believe that my repairs and refinishing skills are second to none, my CSI will attest to that. However, there are lots of shops out there whose idea of a good repair, is to just get it done quickly, and get that customer out of that rental car. Sadly, "that rental car" is considered to be such a big part of the repair process.

With that said, some posters in this thread would believe that all body shops are crooks to some degree or another. While others think exactly the same of the Insurance Companies. People, ya gotta love 'em

Here in VA, the going labor rate is about $40./hr for body repairs. Yet nobody batts an eye lash at $100. + / hr for mechanical rates....go figure. I have to, by law, put your car back to "preaccident condition" if I'm going to be considered as doing my job right. Not to knock the mechanics out there, but how hard is it to do a mechancal repair once it's been diagnosed by a computer (problem pinpointed for you) and replace a part? Dosen't seem that challenging to me, but, I chose to do what I do, as I get much more satisfaction from the results.

Next time you have your cars body repaired and refinished, look it over thouroughly. Anybody with good vision can tell if it looks good or not.(I HOPE). Other then getting back a smooth idle, or better acceleration, nobody is going to know that your car is running better today then it did the day before.

My point is, get some pictures up here once the car is done and allow us all to be the judge.........IF YOU DARE.

 

Be very careful about accepting the vehicle. My wife nearly totaled her Focus and when it came back I found 14 major flaws. Included among them were a wavy Airbag, glass everywhere, paint drips, a bent subframe member to the point that they hadn't bolted some fender supports to it!

And this was from a highly recommended shop!

 

MD-IN-UK: I'd have to agree with you whole-heartedly...unfortunately (just like any other profession) one or two bad apples ruin the reputations of the bunch! I've been of the opinion that good auto body shops are pretty much artists! I'd just like to make sure I find the GOOD artists, ya know!?

I mentioned that the going rate for labor for my poor baby was $40/hr...but what I was impressed most about this auto body shop (not that I've seen their work yet!) was how much emphasis they put on that final product, especially the body work and paint jobs, particularly the blending. I left my camera (and pics of damage) at home, so I'll have to remember to post those later. This body shop also didn't pull any punches -- the time estimate they gave me to get this "good job" done was about three weeks. THREE WEEKS with NO MINI!? Sigh...I must resign myself if it means a good job done.