Rep Power: 361

I had an idea on the way to work today. .

I have some serious hail damage on my car from a storm this summer.. So. . I've decided to get it fixed, now that the storm season is coming to a close. Anyways. . I know that the estimate is going to be a lot of money. . I'm not sure how much yet, but I was thinking.

After I get the estimate. . I should compare and see how much it would cost to get a carbon fiber hood and trunk instead of repairing the OEM ones. . Then get the rest of the hail damage fixed on the roof. . .

If it turns out being less $$ for the carbon fiber hood and trunk, does anyone thing that my insurace guy will let me do that instead?

 
Rep Power: 414

WRONG FORUM......moved.

 
Rep Power: 0

get a quote, ask them to give you the money, and get all of it done on your own. you won't have a problem if you do it that way.

 
Rep Power: 420

Exactly. That's what I did. I had the option of taking it to a body shop so that they simply take care of it, or getting it appraised by the insurance company and getting a check straight from them. That's what I did. I got $3,695. I bought a CF hood, the Tsunami T2001 front bumper, and some other misc. stuff. The repairs only cost $2,040. I was happy.

 
Rep Power: 361

Does anyone know if insurance companies generally give you more money than what is needed to get the reapairs? Am I looking to have money left over? What's the risk they wont give me enough?

 
Rep Power: 420

Yes, they always give you more. You will always find soeone who will do the job for less than what the insurance company gave you. You will also see that every body shop simply wants you to fork over all of the money that the insurance company gave you. Simply tell them that it isn't the insurance company that will be paying for the repairs. It's you. Don't tell them you received any money from the insurance company. Lie! You also do not need to get a piece of paper signed that states that the repairs were completed. You know if they were copleted or not. The insurance company uses this trick to try to get you to use all of the money they gave you at the body shop.

Anyway, guess why they do this? The appraisers get kick-backs from the body shops as do the adjusters. It's a dirty little business.

 
Rep Power: 0

I'd say, if you want to ensure you get enough money to do that, take it to the dealership. They overcharge for damn near everything, so get a quote from them, take that to the insurance company, and find a reputable place that will do the work for less (shouldn't be that hard). If the insurance co. wants more than one quote, take it to a big autobody chain, and tell them you want "Quality Honda OEM parts", the price goes way up right there.

Good luck, and post pics of the hood and front bumper when you get them.