bbrain

an older gentleman backed into my car but was kind enough to leave a note. progressive contacted me to come in for an estimate as they have accepted fault in the claim =)

before i went in i stopped by a mercedes certified collision center and got an estimate of $3,080.56 and progressie is ready to cut me a check for $1.937.48.. if i bring this in to the benz collision center will progressive need to work with them and fix everything as they see fit?

Link to Pix

thanks for any input. i will try to scan the estimates if that helps

bbrain

or also, anyone know a good body shop in arizona?

thanks

Yidney

My wife's Volvo XC90 was recently hit by someone insured by Progressive. You have the right to take your car anywhere, and they will pay what it costs. The only exception is if the repair place charges super high rates, but I don't think any actually do or they would have no business. I'm sure your MB shop has contacts at Progressive and works through these claims all the time. Progressive's estimate means nothing and they know it. You can still take the check. Progressive will just add to it based on what the shop says.

Mka77

I would take to a couple other places. At the least another quality body shop.

bbrain

thank you for the advice and information

Rudeney

MBZ certified repair centers will always be more expensive than a "regular" body shop. I had some damage to my ML (two passenger doors and rear quarter panel) and the certified center quoted almost $6K for the repair where another body shop that I have used many times before fixed it for less than $4K.

The difference is that the certified shop was going to replace all the rubber seals on the door and the lock and latch mechanism - even the exterior pull handles as they were "worn looking". My shop reused the existing parts. Also, the B-pillar was very slightly bent out of alignment (by 3mm). The certified shop wanted to replace the entire pillar where the other shop simply straightened and repainted it where they welded a bracket in place for doing so with the frame puller. The shop manager said he felt better about straightening it as it was less intrusive to the structure of the vehicle than welding in a a new part.

Even though I had a choice as the at-fault driver's insurance would pay the higher quote, I chose my trusted shop over the certified repair center. They did a great job and other than using a paint thickness gauge, I could never tell it was ever damaged and repaired.

bbrain

thanks Rodney.. but for me i have no trusted shop yet.. i know Larry Miller body shop in AZ is ok.. but i am thinking either certified or Progressives choice.. has anyone had experience with Progressive?

ahmadk

My sister in law had an accident a while back in her honda civic and she fixed her car at van's collision center here in scottsdale... they do a good job
google them and call them if you want

Louie D

Call you local MB dealer ask for a SA or parts manager and ask who they recommend some dealers just farm the repairs out.

Rudeney

Most insurance company's "preferred" shops are reliable. Only once have I known of a serious problem using one. My brother had a Honda Civic that was that odd pinkish/brownish/purplish color. The at-fault's insurance company recommend a local Chevy dealer's body shop and they did a terrible job matching the color. The insurance company stood behind it, but it ended up meaning additional panels were painted for "blending". Personally, I didn't like that. Luckily, my favorite body shop happens to be on "everyone's' preferred list.

betrezra

My wifes C63 was hit by an uninsured motorist last summer..... we are insured by Nationwide and here's how our story went:

1. Nationwide was pursuading my wife to take her 10K mile C63 to a ford dealership to get repaired..... because it was a "preferred" service provider for Nationwide.....
2. She was dealing with a 3rd party broker who work on behalf of Nationwide.... this keeps Nationwide from being the badguy.
3. I got involved after she was getting no-where with 3rd party guy..... Fred. I called Fred and asked him if he REALLY believes with the premiums I pay every month for this benz that I should have to get it fixed at a Ford Dealership..... at whichpoint "fred" makes an about face..... and says... oh no sir... I suggest you go to your "preferred shop"....
4. shortly there-after Nationwide calls asking how it's going...... and I give them more than they want to know.....
5. in the end we went to the rec paint shop per our local MB dealership..... it was more expensive.... but you could not tell visually or mechanically that anything happened.

Here's the real kicker at the end of the day..... when you get hit by an unsured motorist you get the pleasure of paying your deductible.... plus the joy or driving a rental POS for 2 weeks.... THEN should you trade in your pride and joy which was fixed for a reputable shop and has not visual/mech issues..... carfax shows accident.... which cuts value of your trade-in by 5-10%...... Oh joy....

GL.

Rudeney

You should have made the insurance company pay you for vehicle depreciation as well. Most policies cover that, but they don't volunteer it - you have to demand it.

And another thing - many people believe that an "uninsured motorist" policy is what pays to repair your vehicle when damaged by an uninsured motorist. It does not; that is covered under your collison policy whcih carries a deductible. Uninsured Motorist policies pay your medical bills, which, ironically, the insurance company will pay anyhow if you are in your insured vehicle when injured regardless of who is at fault, plus your health insurance may also cover. It will also pay "pain and suffering" benefits, and that's what makes it so expensive. We don't carry it. And being good drivers, with good credit and good vehicles, we pay just over $122/mo for full coverage, $250 deductibles, on the two MBZ's plus a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

bbrain

I think i will talk more with the insurance company and not go with their own shops.. also thanks for the heads up on the "vehicle depreciation" i did not know about that one.. i will ask