In Feb, my Xbf wrecked my '01 bmw 325xi, I had state farm insurance at the time (Had them for 22 years !)...They used junkyard parts on my car and now the control arm, ball joint has gone bad...AND it'll need lined up and two new front tires..I'm still waiting to hear from State farm as to what they're going to do about it..The adjuster apparently picked apart my car trying to somehow blame the part failure on me...The owner of the shop that did the work is almost as angry about it as I am because he didn't want to use the junkyard parts to start with !
I guess my question is, if State farm does'nt want to pay for all the repairs, what can I do ?
2007-12-23 04:31:37 · 9 answers · asked by toefu 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
The contol arm and ball joint were replaced after the wreck...He messed up the front end pretty bad, to the point both front wheels were going in different directions...They also put a used wheel on it that has a pretty good gouge out of it...I didn't complain at the time because I was soooo glad to have my car back...The adjuster tried to say that I hit a curb and that's why the ball joint went bad, until the owner of the shop got out his records to show him the wheel was like that when it was installed...He keeps excellent records and has a great memory.
2007-12-23 04:56:54 · update #1
Is your car a junkyard BMW? No? Why not? Just because it isn't new doesn't mean the parts aren't quality and afterall, your car is over seven years old -- every single part on it is used. Second: why on earth would a repair shop put a damaged part on your car (the wheel)? State Farm doesn't want inferior parts on any vehicle they insure and it's up to the REPAIRER to inspect and assure the parts are of equal or better quality than what is presently on your vehicle. Third: State Farm gave you a written warranty on any used part that was used on your car and they will stand behind them IF the vehicle hasn't been involved in another loss since yours was repaired. If I were you I would have some serious issues about a shop that would install a damaged part on your car. I know for a fact that State Farm would NOT insist on using an inferior part of any kind for repairs.
P.S. -- to the idiot that thinks insurance companies can't use recycled parts -- think again, bozo. If you have insurance, (and if you can read) pull out your policy and look it up. Lawyer --- don't make me laugh. State Farm doesn't give one good rats-a** about lawyers. They have hundreds working full time for them.
2007-12-23 09:57:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) State Farm is an insurance company. They don't repair cars, and in my experience, they don't even make recommendations on who does make the repairs. They just pay the bills.
2) The shop that repaired your car MAY have tried to save a few bucks by installing used (and possibly defective) parts, but they are ultimately responsible for the quality of their work, an if they didn't do the repair properly, THEY are the ones who should do it over again.
2007-12-23 05:17:02 · answer #2 · answered by JetDoc 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First off... every insurance company in the world uses so called "junkyard parts". In reality... its a part thats perfect condition from another car your year. Why should you get brand new parts on a car thats not brand new? Do you haev any idea how much insurance would be if that was the case?
Now.. Being that your vehicle is 6 years old... its about time that wear and tear happens to your car and things need to be replaced. Suspensions dont last forever.
What is wrong with the control arm and ball joint? If it is truly a defective part they put on.. sure they definately owe you for it. But.. how can you prove it? What makes you think its a defective part as opposed to a six year old vehicle that is getting old?
Insurance companies dont go around thinking of ways to screw people over.. yes.. i know it hard for people to believe.. but its true. Insurance companies deal with insurance fraud every day and must take steps to prevent it. On the other hand, no one every wants to blame themselves. Once people are in a car accident they think its a free ticket to get every problem on their car fixed ever. Of course your body shop is going to agree... they dont wanna pay for your repairs- they are looking for a way to get money as well!
So sorry.. your just as suspicious as the insurance company and the body shop are. If you truly think its a defective part... get a second opinion from another body shop. Have them write up a diagnosis of why they feel its accident related.. and if you get one or two of these.. im sure the company (state farm) will back down.
The world isnt out to get you.. i promise.
P.S. Dude above me.. TOTALLY WRONG. It is perfectly legel for them to use those parts.. he has no idea what hes talking about. furthermore- no lawyer would touch this with a 10 foot pole. Plus.. dont you know a lawyer would cost WAY more then replacing that part is? Ugh.. some people have no sense.
2007-12-23 04:42:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just for the record... salvage parts _are_ OEM. Sheezzz...
As others have mentioned, what needs to be determind is _why_ those parts failed. Were they not in good shape (as the salvor represented)? if they were not in good shape, why did the shop still install them (a minor point but a good question and one I'm sure SF has). How long was it between the installation of the parts and when you noticed a problem? You don't mention this. I'm guessing it was quite awhile, hence, SF's position that it was wear and tear you caused.
I agree 100% that you should probably have 1 or more other repair shops inspect the parts to give their opinion as to what the parts failed. This may be your ace in he hole and they only way you can prove your case.
2007-12-24 04:27:44 · answer #4 · answered by Todd C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An insurer who uses used parts there has some answering to do, unless they couldn't get the OEM stuff, OR they thought the originals were pretty gone anyway, and they decided not to pay for new ones (should be documented & be discussed with repairer at assessment). If no records-someone doesn't know their job! Sounds a bit tight as.. to me, but that's how they often work. Sounds like you'll have to fork out then seek recovery. Good luck, I think you'll need all you can get.
2007-12-23 04:43:33 · answer #5 · answered by friedach 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most states do not allow the use of salvage suspension parts - so check the state farm estimate - most likely the adjuster wrote to replace the damaged suspension parts with new and applied part betterment.
If State Farm does not pay - you will have to.
2007-12-23 05:01:23 · answer #6 · answered by Boots 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Used (a.k.a. junkyard parts) are acceptable replacement parts on a vehicle as old as yours. You need to get a diagnosis perhaps from the dealership on why these replacement parts failed. It could have been a result of wear and tear given the age of your vehicle.
Getting a second opinion is alway best.
If statefarm still refuses to pay ask them why. If they say it was a result of wear and tear ask them for proof. Unless they can definitively show the damage is not as a result of the replacement of these parts from the accident they should cover the repairs.
If you still feel they are not covering this as they should report them to the board of insurance.
2007-12-23 12:01:57 · answer #7 · answered by robert g 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
maximum all the areas you call are an identical on a 305 as a 350 the only diff in the two are are the 350 has a larger bore. consumption cam manifold are an identical the 350 head might decrease compression plenty. in case you had a 350 the 305 heads might paintings on that making use of the 305 gasget boosting compresasion plenty
2016-12-18 07:16:35 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
State farm screwed you. They can't make you use junk parts. You should have treatened to hire a lawyer. They respond nicely to that when they are trying to pull something illegal.
2007-12-23 04:39:41 · answer #9 · answered by BFH 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋