I was recently in a minor accident with 2008 HHR. I was stopping at light car behind me hit into my car causing my car to hit car in front of mine. Insurance office recommended that I get an estimate. I just wanted to ask whether it is best to go to auto body shop vs. dealership? Pros/Cons. Thanks.

 

That's kinda like asking which gas station should you go to.

Either will do assuming they both have a good reputation. Check with BBB.

 

There is absolutely no reason to go to a dealership body shop over any other body shop, they are all the same.

Whose insurance company recommended an estimate, rather than going to their adjuster? You have a complicated accident there. Technically, your insurance is liable for the damage to the car in front of you and the insurance company behind you is liable for your damage. Did anyone get a ticket, there had to be more than $1000 damage.

Usually the person that does estimates at body shops is the insurance company adjuster. At some shops they are employees of the insurance company, sometimes they are contractors.

You need to notify your insurance company anyway, I found out the hard way.

 

In my limited experience, (one accident in 45 years) it's the insurance company that does the estimate... Have they dropped this as a cost savings these days or are you with one of those cheap fly-by-night companies?

 

I have found that it is best in this kind of thing to let my insurance company deal with it.
If the decide the other guy is at fault the will subrogate. In the mean time I get made whole and don't have to worry about either other guy.

That's what I pay them $1000 a year for.

 

I was advised by state farm customer service rep. I could go to auto body shop or dealership. The claim is open on the person who hit me who will also be responsible for the damage to the car I hit. He did get a ticket and there is a police report.

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. You can have it repaired at whatever shop you choose. Period.

 

That is true!

A dealership body shop has nothing to do with the dealership other than who owns it, they don't know or have access to anything that the guy down the street doesn't. There is NO advantage!

Basically what they are saying is any body shop will give you a valid insurance estimate, if you go to a State Farm estimator they will probably hand you a check and the written estimate that you can take to any shop you want, or keep the check for yourself. At any other shop they will give you the estimate that you can take to any shop to have the repairs done at the expense of State Farm, or you can take it to State Farm and get a check.

Any shop can give you an estimate. That estimate is good at any shop. If there are any missed costs the shop doing the work will bill State Farm. If you take a check you can cash it and say thank you.

 

thanks for feedback.

 

When Gregg was rear ended, the lady who hit me had full coverage (thank god) and all expenses were paid. I brought the car to my local chevy dealership for repair (mostly because they have easier access to parts and paint color and such, and the repair was free). The car was inspected by the adjuster and repaired at the dealership. After 8 days I got it back, with a total repair bill of just under $4,000 dollars (covered by Ins.). They even paid for rental car for the duration of the time the car was being repaired, and I had to bring it back because they failed to repair the exhaust properly, which was also covered by the ladies insurance and the new rental car was as well. I had it easy though, and made the claim through the ladies insurance right there at the accident scene, and just made a notification to my insurance. She had admitted fault with her insurance, and since there was no hassle in her story vs mine they automatically approved the claim right then and there. My situation was pretty clear cut, though.