Front end is smashed

jlh0799 · March 10, 2003

I have a 2002 Z71 Ext. Cab. Someone pulled out in front of me and I clipped them with my front left. The other guys insurance wants me to take it to a ford dealer ship (Park Cities Ford), although they can't make me, I just wanted input on where I should get it repaired? I have been wanting a grill guard and I am thinking about taking it to Friendly Chevrolet b/c they carry ranch had grill guards and bumbers and will install them. Damage estimated at about $2,500. ???

jlh0799 · March 10, 2003

Go here to see a pic of my truck.

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL113/973891/inbox/t-60818.jpg

MattDewalt · March 10, 2003

Bring it to me! Probably a little far since I'm in PA. In our area, dealers have the worst reputation for doing quality body repairs. Although other parts of the country the exact opposite is true. Where you live, I'm not sure. Call your insurance company and see who they reccomend. Ask some friends and family who have had repairs done recently. Call some shops and ask what their backlog is. We're running 8-9 weeks right now. When people are willing to weight that long, you can be pretty sure that the shop does good work. If a shop can start on it today, you have to wonder why they don't have any work. Look for a shop that has at least one, if not both, of I-CAR and ASE trained technicians. As far as a Ford dealership versus a Chevy dealership, I would take my Chevy to get fixed at a Ford dealer in a second if they are known to do a quality job and the Chevy dealer has a bad reputation. The guys insurance may want it taken to the Ford dealer because they have a DRP (direct repair program) with that shop. This usually saves them money because they don't have to write an estimate (the shop does it) and they may have negotiated lower than normal labor rates with the shop in exchange for bringing work to them. In some instances this affects the quality of repairs, in others it doesn't. We have DRP's with many insurance companies, some pay us more than our standard rate and some pay us less. But, we do the same quality of repair no matter what kind of car it is and who is paying the bill. Again, asking people who have had work done recently will probably give you the best results. Two third of our work comes from repeat customers or new customers referred by old customers.

03 HD · March 10, 2003

Well stated. I get this question all the time and I finally came up with the answer.

" The repair to your vehicle is only as good as the person doing them"

CapnDean · March 11, 2003

Bummer!

Well...FWIW: I am fortunate, we have a local body shop here that is the BEST. Of course they are also the most expensive too. But that's the insurance company's problem.

Personally I prefer my local favorite...if you don't have one...ask around, ask people that have had serious damage repaired...were they pleased?

Lastly...there is a positive to having the dealership do it even if your dealership is not the top dog of the body shops... If your dealer does it and you ultimately wind up moving outta town....another dealer will have to honor the warranty should the need arise.

jr.parrish · March 11, 2003

Well a very similar thing ALMOST happened to me yesterday, but I was able to avoid it.

If I were you, I would have the new front end replaced with that of a 02+ Escalade since its the other guys insurance. I'm not sure of the legal aspects of this though, can anyone advise.

03 HD · March 12, 2003

No legal problems involved with repairing your vehicle anyway you want. The vehicle belongs to you and not the insurance company. The insurance company only owes you for the same type of parts that are damage (i.e. Chevrolet) and not Cadillac. You would have to spring for the differance in the parts being replaced and Cadillac parts do cost more.

jlh0799 would have to come out of pocket a big chunk of change to replace the whole front clip with the amount of damage on his vehicle.

seadoons · March 27, 2003

Their insurance company will probably ask you to get a couple of estimates. Take it to the dealership to get those, the dealership is ususally most expensive. You can then take it to a good bodyshop (there are several here in Houston) and they will charge you a lot less, and it will leave you some extra money to buy the accessories you want.