Auto body repair question. (Cash offer vs Geico $500 deductible.)

So I had dipshits across from my parents back into my car while in Taiwan. Can't prove it. Geico quote was $800 for them to replace left rear quarter panel on a 08 VW R32. $500 decutible.
While parking today cursing the continuing pile of shit breaking. (Faucet for my rodi unit, blew a tire on I25 today) Had a guy in a white truck with an auto body sign on the side flag me down as I was parking at home anyways. Offered $300 cash to basically pull the area and then reshape/rework the area with rubber mallets etc and supposedly get it close to good as new. I said I wanted to double check if Geico was also pulling or whether it was a full replace and I had to take care of replacing the tire right away first anyhow. He countered the price down to $200. But I stayed strong and got his number.
$500 Replace (Rate jump?) Vs $200 random body shop person repair. (3rd option do the same thing cheaper somewhere known?)

I'm not a handyman so I'm looking for suggestions on what might be the right choice? I am thinking as long as it's not rippled warped like a retarded child with a hammer was doing on it, I can deal with not perfect, just lot less noticable than now. Car whenever I sell it already won't be worth much probably. (Continuing wierd problems and be a while anyways before I sell it, so would have >100k miles)

Typically, a not-at-fault claim won't effect your rates. Even if you can't prove it, it should be classified as a hit and run. You'll have to pay your deductible, Geico covers the rest and everyone moves on. Personally, I wouldn't trust someone flagging me down in a parking lot compared to a body shop. If he has a legit business name, shop, etc, then you could go through him, save a few hundred bucks compared to paying your deductible. Just be aware that once he starts messing with it, it'll be hard to get geico to cover it later on.

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Originally Posted by Dave_L

Typically, a not-at-fault claim won't effect your rates. Even if you can't prove it, it should be classified as a hit and run. You'll have to pay your deductible, Geico covers the rest and everyone moves on. Personally, I wouldn't trust someone flagging me down in a parking lot compared to a body shop. If he has a legit business name, shop, etc, then you could go through him, save a few hundred bucks compared to paying your deductible. Just be aware that once he starts messing with it, it'll be hard to get geico to cover it later on.

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+1 This is great info!,

Very unlikely you'd get a quality repair for $300 and No way in hell for $200. A nice car like that should get fixed proper. I'd guess that $800.00 quote is even low.

What Dave underscore L said. See what it costs to just get a new fender and have it painted.

Use your insurance.

Would you buy seafood from a dude on the side of 25??

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Originally Posted by Tinelement

Use your insurance.

Would you buy seafood from a dude on the side of 25??

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Yea I have....
freshest Rocky Mountain oysters I ever had. Was not a cow in the field next to him that would look at him in the eyes though [Coffee]

[mop]

[ROFL2]

[pick-me]......Dude, you have an R32 dub, not some Hyundai! Get it done correctly from your insurance company. You have a very rare car there, "only 5000 made in 4 colors", it will hold its value for a long time. Get it fixed right!!!!!



http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps739d9dad.jpg

[Beer]......................FUCKINGROOOOVIN

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Originally Posted by ben4372

Very unlikely you'd get a quality repair for $300 and No way in hell for $200. A nice car like that should get fixed proper. I'd guess that $800.00 quote is even low.

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This is the most accurate response. I would say the repair will be double once you actually get it to a shop. The insurance companies write "estimates" at about 50% if not less in hopes you will take the check and move on. Make a claim and get the car repaired properly. I have been dealing with insurance companies in the auto body repair industry for 22 years now and the are crooks. Use the insurance that you have paid for many times over.