I'm not disagreeing with you which is why I didn't pick your post apart. Fine, you win. You're right, I'm wrong. Happy?

I never said there was anything wrong with insurance or that it was "evil" (your words, not mine). I'm sorry you took it that way. My point all along has been insurance is too black and white. You said it yourself.... rates will go up no matter what your claim is, who was involved, etc. You're a customer for 10 years, you have a little fender bender, and all of sudden you're treated with rates that make you feel like a teenager again (for better or worse). Obviously that's not true for everyone and there are decent companies out that do give people the time of day. (For what it's worth, contrary to my example, State Farm is actually one of the higher rated companies, according to Consumer Reports so a company can cut both ways.)

Is that a compliment or an insult? It's actually a music reference. I'm sorry but when you start attacking someone's username, that crosses a line and I exit. I never attacked you, just the industry you work in. Forgive me for bailing here but this isn't really helping the OP. Friends?!

 

You're spinning again. Do you understand the other meaning of "spinning" ? Political officials are good at spinnning and it has nothing to do with records.

What I ACTUALLY said was this: And somehow you twisted that into the garbage you just posted.

Now, rates do not go up if you're involved in an accident in which the other driver is at fault. In fact, they don't always go up if you ARE at fault in an accident. Most companies, including mine, offer accident forgiveness if you've been with us long enough to have earned it.

Now, you don't have to bail in the debate with me. You are more than welcome to continue this through a private message or e-mail to me. I would rather enjoy educating you on insurance since you are so grossly misinformed. I'd rather you not go around spreading the misinformation.

 

Just a note and I'm not starting anything but. As a Collision Estimator I know that there are many different types of Insurance Companies and well as different types of policies, And I see it all the time. Folks never and I mean NEVER read the policies they purchase. I realize they are written on the see thru paper in the smallest lettering. but we as consumers need to learn to read. Yes GEICO insurance requires you to pay a premium increase for additional coverages. The increase is minor and well worth adding it to your policy. And as a note to everyone on NAM, check your policy limitations, add Rental Car coverage, Audio Equipment & Electronics Coverage, Custom Wheel & Tire Coverage, Custom Paint & Body Modification Coverage. and If possible on some of the classics and heavy modifief vehicles have a Appraised or Stated Value Policy. When shopping for the best rate. you also need to shop for the correct coverage. Sorry for the rant but I've seen to many customers not covered learning the hard way. Mark--

 

so an update - estimate total close to $3500. Geico/body shop feel confident that a local company can repair my ACS bumper to like new condition. Interestingly enough though, according to how they ran my VIN, the representative had my car listed as a JCW model (which to my knowledge it isn't) and argued with me that I had xenon headlights (I have halogens - I've replaced the bulbs [H7's]) but I guess if they wanna throw a set of xenon headlights in my car....

 

Looks like it'll work out pretty well for you after all.

Not sure how they could possibly confuse that for a JCW based on the VIN. And I'm not sure how the shop can't know the difference between xenon's and halogens, but both work out in your favor.

And given it's GEICO, let them pay more than they should... of all the insurance companies I work with (and there are hundreds) in trying to resolve claims , they are by far my least favorite.

Keep us posted.

 

I thought that was interesting as well. There's nothing encoded in the VIN itself that distinguishes a JCW from an 'S', and if they actually contacted MINI to get the details about the car, I can't imagine MINI making that kind of mistake.

Regardless, I'm glad it's looking like everything will work out.

 

I agree it's weird. But all over the estimate posted on-line with the vehicle data and the specifics re: what will be repaired, replaced and removed, installed, they describe my car as 2005 MCS JCW (here is a cut/paste from the estimate: 2005 MINI COOPER S JCW 4-1.6L-SC 3D H/B RED INT:BLACK VIN: WMWRE33445TD92771) This appears at the top of every page.

and also as mentioned was the line item for replacing one xenon headlight (here is the line item:
REPL RT HEADLAMP ASSY XENON 1 613.95 INCL.
12 AIM HEADLAMPS 0.5
13 R&I LT HEADLAMP ASSY XENON INCL.
14 COOLING
The Geico agent insisted that I had all the assembly and electrical components for xenons (trust me - i've taken the headlights out to replace the bulbs, etc - there ain't no xenon components anywhere)

The line item for the bumper is this:
REPL RECOND BUMPER COVER W/AERO 1 270.00 INCL. 2.4
PKG.
6 ADD FOR CLEAR COAT 1.0

So, given fact that my car is being described as JCW, the bumper descr as w/aero package, initially representative said I wouldn't get ACS part covered and should anticipate either OEM MCS bumper or JCW part and the line item about xenons - I emailed him to 1) clarify what bumper I was getting and 2) what was the xenon thing. I'll admit, my initial thought was that he tweaked the estimate to make my car a JCW with xenons to inflate the cost in order to replace my ACS bumper (and naturally I wanted to ensure I wasn't going to get stuck in the middle of anything fraudulent).

I'm happy they'll be repairing the bumper - I hope it looks like new (I've been told that my car may one of the only R53's in the US with this kit). A new set of xenons would be great, but I'm smart enough to know that it's not a plug and play thing and since they're only focusing on the passenger side, it'd look damn stupid to have one xenon and one halogen (of course I know electrically that wouldn't work either!)

 

Maybe just Maybe the field adjuster over-wrote the claim a little to make sure your collision center is covered for what you really need done. It happens, not a lot, but company adjusters have a bit of leeway. Also the adjusters for GEICO know your going to get a Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Overall most insurance companies want a satisfied policy holder, but now you know to add the additional coverage for the protection you need. Hope every thing works out well. - Mark