Question re Auto Accident and Geico Claim

[Anonymous]

I was rear-ended the other day while stopped at a light, the force of the car that rear-ended me also propelled my vehicle into another in front of me. The driver who rear-ended me has accepted fault as has their insurer Geico.

However, their estimate is low and does not cover all the areas of impact. Is it better to negotiate at this point or just take it to a body shop where they can show all the damage and prepare a thorough estimate?

Also, is it more likely they will pay for full cost including new not after-market if I go to a Geico-approved shop vs selecting my own auto body preference shop? Does it matter?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

just take it to a body shop where they can show all the damage and prepare a thorough estimate?

This is what I did. The guy laughed at the original estimate and lifted up some panels to show me the damage the estimate had missed.

[Anonymous]

If you bring it to Geico approved they will fix it no cost to you.

[Anonymous]

Is it in a body shop or is this the useless field estimate based on an adjuster looking at your car? The cost shouldn't matter (unless your frame is damaged and car should be totaled) since the shop has to agree to costs Geico proposes but if they aren't going to fix all the damage take it somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

PP here. So far they have just seen photos of the car and provided an estimate online - of course I will not accept - though I note they have a ticking clock now in their email to accept the offer (lol). They said "we can always do a supplemental later" per the adjustor on the phone.

I prefer another body shop who will prepare an estimate and then it's negotiation time.

Or I guess I could take it to one of their partners including the local dealer who has a Geico office next to the dealer. I was just concerned they were in it together to minimize value for me and not make me whole (meaning my vehicle).

Thanks for the feedback, odd I know but have never been in this position.

[Anonymous]

Went through this recently. Took it to our own shop, who also guarantee their work. Cost was at least 3x the first estimate once they opened up car. I think we had to accept the initial estimate but no issues afterwards with them approving the supplementals.

[Anonymous]

I had this happen, though I was the first car. I had to take my car to a geico appraiser. I got to pick the body shop. The appraiser can only see outside damage. Once the body shop got the bumper off, there was more stuff crushed and they called the geico guy to get the ok to pay it. It took way longer than it should shed because of this, but at least I picked a Mercedes body shop so they gave me a free rental car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you bring it to Geico approved they will fix it no cost to you.

True but you have the right to bring it to any shop and personally i would
Not bring it to a geico shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. So far they have just seen photos of the car and provided an estimate online - of course I will not accept - though I note they have a ticking clock now in their email to accept the offer (lol). They said "we can always do a supplemental later" per the adjustor on the phone.

I prefer another body shop who will prepare an estimate and then it's negotiation time.

Or I guess I could take it to one of their partners including the local dealer who has a Geico office next to the dealer. I was just concerned they were in it together to minimize value for me and not make me whole (meaning my vehicle).

Thanks for the feedback, odd I know but have never been in this position.

You're allowed to take it to your own shop. The first estimate is based on looking at outside of your car or photos. The shop will take a closer look and do supplemental estimates as they find more damage. I didn't take my vehicle to the insurance shop so not sure if there's any advantage - mine ended up totalled at my shop so pay out would have been same in that case.

[Anonymous]

I normally take my Toyotas to Geico approved shops with no problem. Last year I got into an accident with my Tesla and had to take to a Tesla approved shop. Geico's estimate was a fifth of Tesla shop's estimate. The shop worked with Geico and they paid the shop based on the shop's estimate.

[Anonymous]

If you take it to a Geico shop they guarantee the work for life and there is less hassle and no out of pocket. That said choose a decent shop from the list of geico approved if you go that route. You don’t want to waste your time bringing it back for crappy work