My parked car got hit and other party took responsibility. I want to get it fixed. If I pay for it body shops charge $3k. If insurance pays for it the body shops will "milk" the insurance company and charge around $5k, that's fine with me. But, I'd like a piece of the action. Do body shops usually do this if asked?
2007-06-05 15:46:23 · 7 answers · asked by Daniel G 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
No, that would be insurance fraud. You and the operator of the body shop could both end up with criminal records, and possibly jail time depending on how much of a message the courts want to send. Where did you get a difference in figures that great, or did somebody just tell you? Perhaps it costs $3,000 to fix your car the cheap way that just looks good for a year or so, and $5,000 to fix it the proper way.
2007-06-05 15:52:32 · answer #1 · answered by Fred C 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Don't be thinking they are going to split the excess with you. If the insurance company pays, the body shop will use new parts, and dealer parts, both are more expensive than other ways of making repairs. I wouldn't be testing the limits of insurance fraud, unless you don't mind a small sized room to sleep for awhile.
2007-06-05 15:55:36 · answer #2 · answered by fisherwoman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can go to Jail for insurance fraud. So I believe the question you should be asking is...
... is it worth going to jail for a cut of $2,000?
I'd say no! I bet the fines alone would cost more than that.
2007-06-05 17:58:48 · answer #3 · answered by brandiwine72 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Uh - short answer - this is insurance fraud (read "illegal"). If the shop agrees to it and the insurance company discovers it, they'll lose their privileges to repair any other cars covered by them.
2007-06-05 15:59:57 · answer #4 · answered by motoenth2000 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YOu can't just "milk" an insurance company.... why do you think they do their own estimates on the vehicles? To keep scum like you from making a profit.. so good luck what that.
What goes around comes around..
2007-06-06 02:36:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they get all dealership items when insurance is paying for it, they'll use used parts if you pay for it, they aren't getting an extra cut, just using higher quality parts.
2007-06-05 15:50:01 · answer #6 · answered by Aaron M. 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they're ready to defraud an insurance company, don't be too sure they won't be all that honest with you too. Once a liar, always a liar....
2007-06-05 16:03:05 · answer #7 · answered by paul h 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋