mr-z

Of course you wouldn't just let the body shop handle the insurance. Your involved too. That is why you are bringing it to the body shop of your choice. Also, never sign a release to the body shop giving them approval to go ahead with anything. This would give the body shop more control over what parts they use and what they repair. Let the body shop call you when the parts come in and check with them regularly to see what they are doing. If you know a good body shop, they won't ask for a release and they will handle the adjusters to get what you want for your vehicle. If the body shop does have any problem, they will call you and let you know if the insurance company has denied anything, and then it is up to you to call the insurance co. and demand what you want repaired or replaced. They will probably tell you that its all they will pay, and you have to make up the difference. That is when the fun begins and you will have to take legal action. The ins co will usually back down, because it will cost them more to go to court, knowing that they will lose on a 1 to 3yr old vehicle.

Also, with older exotic or specialty cars, where parts are not as readily available, you may have to settle for used parts.
But here is a hint....if you have a good enough body shop and they specialize in exotic, antiques or specialty cars, their workmanship is usually higher and these cars demand that type of craftsmanship to bring it back to original condition, because of the rarity and collectibility, and without saying the resale value of such cars. When you find an educated repair shop, they will be able to help you along and know how the ins. co's work and can guide you in the right direction. Because is will cost more for a better job, the ins co. would like to be in full control.. don't let them. Same goes for the body shops.

vp69435

All good advice. You are correct to a certain degree but Allstate is gambling that no one will seek litigation. They can however refuse to pay our labor rate.

vp69435

That is incredibly offensive to hear about. The girl should have been deported for starters and your insurance company should not penalize you. I feel for you.

vp69435

We really are the exception in our area as far as specialty shops. As far as the vintage Corvettes we see work from coast to coast and companies like Chubb, Hagerty, Heacock and several others are happy to have a shop that can accomadate their customers and willingly pay $92.50.
Regarding your last sentence I respectfully disagree. Corvette owners want their cars kept indoors, which we do and repaired to an undetectable standard. It requires the best of the best technicians to consistently provide that level of perfection, which we do.

vp69435

non supporting vendor info removed

CORVETTE007

You really seem like you have some personal issues here. This isn't even YOUR vehicle and you got yourself all worked up about it. In the wrong forum no less.

1st, I don't recall directing any of my comments towards you.
2nd, There is a spell checker in the upper right hand corner.
3rd, From your responses, I'd say that they had an issue with your shop for some reason. Maybe your "I'm the best in the Country" attitude. Please.
4th, As one other person stated, I would want my Insurance Company to stand up and question costs. This is part of what keeps MY rates as low as they are. If every Insurance Company just paid whatever the shop felt they were worth, we'd be paying 4 times what we do today.

I am in no way defending ANY Insurance Company here. What I am saying, is that Insurance Companies are in business to make money the same as you or any other business owner. Do you just pay whatever your suppliers want, or do you shop around and know what things should cost.

Higher Premiums for a Corvette? Don't know about you, but I pay $52 more every 6 months for my '08 Z06 than I do for my '08 Prius. I would want one repaired the same as the other if something happened to it.

Personally, I think this post belongs off in the "Off Topic" section as it's not directly related to the Z06.

JLMounce

All one needs to do is google Allstate + McKinsey

hint the title of the McKinsey documents which is the claim guidelines set in place by Allstate is "From good hands, to boxing gloves."

In short, Allstate's claim handling procedures are to offer a quick "low ball" settlement knowing full well that 90% of the individuals seeking claim will take the offer instead of fighting it.

From there if an individual disputes the offer, Allstate goes to bat with it's full lawyer force causing years in trial and court proceedings, most often to the detriment of the individual seeking claim.

There is currently class action against the company in regards to this. Allstate has been subpoenaed to give the McKinsey files to the courts but is still refusing to do so based on it's claim of proprietary industry information. Of course it's proprietary, it's a set of documents aimed at large intake of premium, and decreasing indemnity by screwing the customer.



I'm sorry I didn't read the entire thread on this, but working in the property and casualty business for the past near decade, this is a BIG issue. Big enough that this could turn in to a breach of trust against Allstate which could cause the downfall of the company...

food for thought if you're dealing with them, or insured by them.

vp69435

I am the one who is being asked to make it perfect again. Pertinent topic in the correct forum.

And?
Thank you spelling is critical.
I don't recall saying that, although we are the shop of choice for thousands of Corvette owners from across and outside the United States.
I charge a fair labor rate. Why do plumbers charge $90+ per hour? They have less than 1/2 the overhead.
I use suppliers who provide the best product consistently, price is secondary. Quality trumps price. Would you be happy with "cheap" paint on your car. I don't use the garbage.
You are not a typical Corvette owner with expectations of perfection for collision repair.
You are entitled to your opinion, you are also welcome to use the ignore button if the posts I intend to inform Z06 owners offend you/

saplumr

Now it's about to get personal. Exactly how would you know how much overhead a plumber has? BTW...I do not charge $90/hr and we come to you, so our shop is mobile at roughly 225K/truck.

vp69435

Not to change the topic but I suppose that did not come across well. That is what I was charged at my home and asked him what his overhead was. His business adjusted for 20 people compared to my 25 came out to 1/2 the overhead. That said I was happy to pay the price. He did a stellar job installing new Buderus equipment and I could not have been happier to write the check. No way I could have done that job myself. BTW he was the most expensive quote I got but gave me the most confidence. He has a profitable business and I wish him continued success and will use them again.

vetteship

Had All State, didn't like them, went with AAA of So. Cal, really outstanding service, 2 minor not at fault claims, no issues what so ever, and they replaced with original parts everywhere.
I can appreciate the body shop going to bat for the owner of the ZO6, but the owner is paying the premiums and as such, he/she should demand better service.

RoatanMan

Dont rag on him... This is good information...

slwhite

There have been a number of news stories recently about how Allstate rips some people off. They have become much more profit-motivated than in the past. The "good hands" company apparently has 2 standards: "good hands" if you take what they offer and "boxing gloves" if you don't. Most of this publicity was associated with homeowner's insurance but after reading these accounts I would never insure with Allstate for any reason.

mrwrenchphd

I pay my techs $80+ as well. Not necessarily referring to you but people seem to have a problem with blue collar/dirty hands type people making that kind of money, go figure.


But would you want your insurance company to send you to Earl Shibe's? Or to someone who will do it foe a 6 pack?

mrwrenchphd

I forget that exact facts, maybe someone can chime in, but didn't Allstate try to buy a bunch of body shops in Texas so they could run all there claims through them? Then the Govt. stepped in & stopped it from happening?

mrwrenchphd

You have to remember, we are just low life auto techs/body-man and are suppose to work for minimum wage & sell our goods at cost. The Government will help help us with the rest, I'm sure.

outnumbered

Insurance companies for household claims will actually pay companies cheap rates to perform work that they aren't even insured to perform the specified work. They constantly call us to do service work/ storm damage but are only willing to pay half of my cost! So the poor homeowner ends up with crack heads, criminals and non experts working at their house.

vp69435

I had a situation at home where my entire county had a powerful electrical surge. It actually caught my surge protector on fire, (no exaggeration). I notified my insurance company and they said they would send out an appraiser and then line up contractors to do the work. I told them to send the adjuster but dont even bother with the contractors. I lost my well pump, and air handler motor and a Sub Zero fridge. I paid out of pocket for the repairs and then faxed my agent the receipts. They paid the claim with no issue. (Nationwide) I do want to switch to Chubb at some point though.

vp69435

I know you are kidding but at some folks feel that way. No one said ever said it better than Frank LLoyd Wright when he told a client " without artisans, your money would have no value whatsover" this was of course after he exceeded his original quote by 3 times. Not to suggest I could carry his pencil bag, the man had a point.
That said. I have had to turn many jobs down over the years for the simple fact that my standard of quality could not be achieved for what the customer was willing to pay. It is tough when you are slow but it pays in the long run.
As far as the government goes, we get the government we deserve.

vp69435

Allstate has a company owned production shop 2 miles from me, they have conceded that they will not work on Corvettes. They used to call us all the time with problems they were having. Incompetence at its height.