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

[fitz19d]

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)

[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.

[Snowman78]

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.

+1 This is great info!,

[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.

[spleify]

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.

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.

[Snowman78]

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.

I, as an insurance adjuster have NEVER under paid a claim in "hopes they will take th check and move on". They may be some "crooks" in insurnace but I don't know any. But I have had a lot of body shop do some shady stuff....

[spleify]

I, as an insurance adjuster have NEVER under paid a claim in "hopes they will take th check and move on". They may be some "crooks" in insurnace but I don't know any. But I have had a lot of body shop do some shady stuff....

You clearly have not been in the industry very long then. And you obviously have never actually WORKED on a vehicle.

[Snowman78]

You clearly have not been in the industry very long then. And you obviously have never actually WORKED on a vehicle.

Hello Buddy,
I have worked as a insurance adjuster for 6 years. Befor that I was at 2 body shops for a total of 6 years (Paint prep, body man & combo guy) befor that I was a mechanical tech for 3 years (Honda dealership). I am a I-Car Gold tech and ASE master tech. So, YES sir I have worked on many vehicles.
Take care

[Tinelement]

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.

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.

Both of these....

I posted to be funny last night. But seriously, get it fix properly. You pay thousands in insurance. Use it! I am also a long time auto body guy, coming up on 24 yrs now. Your insurance doesn't just pick a dude off the street, there is a reason for that. You mentioned your car isn't perfect, which one is? Get the 1/4 put on properly. You would be surprised how easy it is to eff that repair up and you would never know! Remember, on a unibody car, your 1/4 is part of the strength to the car. Get it fixed wrong, the next accident might cause you injury because the welds fail........

[Irving]

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.

If you really work with insurance companies from your shop than you know better than to post stuff like this.