Our car was repaired by an inept bodyshop twice and both times it was in their possession the car was broken into, ie; the tops of both front doors were pulled out at the top. The A/C isn't working now, because of the bodyshop's shotty workmanship, and the State Farm Insurance is telling us we HAVE to take it back to the bodyshop that has already messed our car up twice. After the first fiasco, we were told that the bodyshop was allowed to try to fix their poor work and we gave them that chance but other things got messed up that had nothing to do with the required repairs. It was as if they were trying to damage our car intentionally.
Can State Farm Insurance force us to take our car back to an inept bodyshop for the third time?
2007-03-16 03:56:58 · 9 answers · asked by muffinabundant 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
State Farm recommended the body shop. It's one of their "Service First" associates.
2007-03-16 04:47:03 · update #1
The car is a 2007 model.
2007-03-16 06:52:49 · update #2
I guess it depends on who is paying the repair bill. If your insurance will cover the repair - yes they can dictate where you go. If you are going to pay the bill yourself - you can take it wherever you want.
2007-03-16 04:00:21 · answer #1 · answered by Tamborine 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
In this case I would suggest you take it to another shop, show them the the FINAL estimate from all repairs done and let them tell you what the problem is.
If it's a workman ship issue the new shop will bill State Farm, they will pay, and State Farm should pursue the initial shop for reimbursement of the initial payments. In this case it's best if you use another service first shop, but ultimately it's up to you. If you use another shop that ISN'T a service first...they will have to review everything & contact State Farm for supplemental work.
If you live in CA contact the Bureau of Automotive repairs...they oversee all body shop & mechanics in the state & this is what they are there for. If you don't live in CA....see what agency, if any, does the same. The DMV would be able to direct you.
Your issue is with the shop, not State Farm....the shop "repaired" the car, State Farm only paid for the repairs.
2007-03-16 20:49:27 · answer #2 · answered by bundysmom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They cant force you to take it anywhere. Is the repair shop the one that St Farm suggested you go to? If it is in their preferred repair program then you have a little more power than if you took it to another shop. What you should do is ask St Farm if there is any other preferred shop you can take your car to so it can be done correctly. Otherwise you may have to take it to another shop and sue either the original shop or the insurance company to get it repaired correctly. If State Farm is your insurance you will also want to make sure that they note all of the issues that you are having with this shop so they can look into removing them from the preferred repair program.
2007-03-16 04:36:43 · answer #3 · answered by joeinchino2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. You can have your vehicle repaired anywhere you like -- just be sure to notify the State Farm claims dept before you approve any corrective repairs with another shop. They will need to inspect your car before work begins and bill the former bodyshop for costs to correct anything they may have screwed-up. State Farm does NOT want this sort of thing happening in their direct repair program and they will never force you to return three times to a shop you are unsatisfied with.
2007-03-16 04:58:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can require you to take in their. Part of their "Guarantee" of repairs through their service first shops meant that if you arent happy with your repairs you can TAKE IT BACK TO THAT SHOP- to have them done again for free. Therefore- they have every right to make you take it there.
As far as they saying that some of the repairs wont be covered as it is unrelated.. it may be that you have an older car.. and while it was in their possession something unrelated to the accident started to go wrong.. just cuz your car had wear and tear .. if this happened.. how is it their problem? Its just an issue your car started having and it would have got in whether or not it was in the shop. As they to explain to you why its not related.
2007-03-16 05:51:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to use that repair shop again. Just tell them that you refuse to take it back there. State Farm is very stingy with their payouts. I would find another insurance company. You may want to try a website that compares multiple companies at once to get you the best price. I am paying less than ½ after I did.
Go to: http://www.insureme.com/landing.aspx?Refby=616165&Type=auto
Take care,
Casey
2007-03-17 00:52:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your coverage organisation could be coping with the declare and not you. deliver something you get (make copies) on your guy or woman organisation and characteristic them handle it. no you are able to nevertheless comprehend in the journey that your husband replaced into at fault or no longer...yet whilst all 3 say it replaced into he, i do no longer think of you have a leg to stand on. you may could take this to courtroom yet what despite factor your coverage organisation does not pay, you're in charge for the damages. stable good fortune.
2016-10-02 05:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by megna 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. You own the car and can take it wherever you want for repairs, or not repair it if you so choose.
2007-03-16 05:49:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
by law, you have to give the repair shop 3 chances to fix the problem. after that you can take it elsewhere. this is the consumer protection law. save all the receipts everytime the car is brought back. this is your proof for the judge if you want to win the lawsuit.
2007-03-16 04:03:11 · answer #9 · answered by LEXUSRY 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋