Bodyshop Raises Estimate from $3,000 to Almost $9,000 - Are they Full of Poop?

[ARK]

I got into a small accident a few months ago that did some damage to my front right (other car drifted into my lane on a curving road).

The other guy’s insurance denied the claim, and I haven’t wanted to submit to my insurance for a worry of a rise in premium regardless of fault.

The other guy’s insurance inspected it, they estimated around $1,300. The bodyshop I went to initially gave me an estimate of $3,000. I know adjuster estimates are often way too optimistic, so the bodyshop’s number didn’t surprise me too much.

When the body shop inspected, they raised their estimate to about $8,800. I was shocked, the only thing they uncovered when they took it apart was some fender damage necessitating a new panel and some hood damage requiring repainting. By their own numbers, this should have raised it by only about $1,100 or so (since they already knew they had to repaint the fender, they just thought they could reuse the existing one).

Anyway, I’d walk away, but they are insisting on charging me $650 just for the inspection. I am telling them I shouldn’t have to because their estimate was so off.

Do you guys think the estimate from the body shop is reasonable/unreasonable? I’m posting a picture of the damage (scuffs on some panels, light, and wheel, and apparently hidden deformation of fender now hitting hood), they want to replace light, wheel, say fender can’t be reused.

Insurance estimate

Bodyshop estimate

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[Earplug]

My Estimate of Record (preliminary) was 16,121.98
Final Cost of Repair was 24,139.94

 

[ARK]

You should have your insurance fight the denied claim.

I'm worried that they will raise the rate, even if they don't find I am at fault. Between the deductible and raised rates for multiple years, I'm not sure it ends up being a good idea to turn it over to insurance if I can convince them to do the work closer to the original estimate of $3,000.

As part of their estimate, they also included 12 hours of time to recalibrate all the sensors and cameras which I think is preposterous.

 

[RickMachE]

[Shakes head]

 

[ARK]

[Shakes head]

Would love to hear the takedown of me and/or the body shop.

 

[RickMachE]

Your insurance pays for repair and goes after his. Use it.

You won't convince body shop of anything.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

To answer your question directly, I’m unaware of any body shop estimators as part of this forum. Anyone else commenting about the cost would be speculating.

I agree with the two fine gentlemen that you should file with your insurance. They already know about the accident and could/ probably would raise your rates with or without one.

I think you’re putting yourself at a significant disadvantage for no tangible benefit.

 

[BMT1071]

I got into a small accident a few months ago that did some damage to my front right (other car drifted into my lane on a curving road).

The other guy’s insurance denied the claim, and I haven’t wanted to submit to my insurance for a worry of a rise in premium regardless of fault.

The other guy’s insurance inspected it, they estimated around $1,300. The bodyshop I went to initially gave me an estimate of $3,000. I know adjuster estimates are often way too optimistic, so the bodyshop’s number didn’t surprise me too much.

When the body shop inspected, they raised their estimate to about $8,800. I was shocked, the only thing they uncovered when they took it apart was some fender damage necessitating a new panel and some hood damage requiring repainting. By their own numbers, this should have raised it by only about $1,100 or so (since they already knew they had to repaint the fender, they just thought they could reuse the existing one).

Anyway, I’d walk away, but they are insisting on charging me $650 just for the inspection. I am telling them I shouldn’t have to because their estimate was so off.

Do you guys think the estimate from the body shop is reasonable/unreasonable? I’m posting a picture of the damage (scuffs on some panels, light, and wheel, and apparently hidden deformation of fender now hitting hood), they want to replace light, wheel, say fender can’t be reused.

Insurance estimate

Bodyshop estimate

Where's the original body shop estimate? Without that it's hard to make any comparison.

 

[RickMachE]

Policies often require you to notify them.

 

[jay1122]

That is why you need a dash cam. OP is not wrong to not involve own insurance if the damage is less than $3000. Between the deductible and raised rate, it probably will be even. Unless you are so confident your insurance can beat theirs. Without video evidence, it will be hearsay. Other side probably said you are the one drifted into them. It likely will end up split the fault. I just got to say, that shop is terrible. I got the whole back side rear ended and replaced the liftgates and bottom panels etc. Cost $11K. You tell me a tiny scratch to the fender cost $8.8K? Literal BS.

Are you sure you cannot buff it out and make it look better? If it is decent enough after you buff it. I would not even repair it. Embrace the spirit of the French, the paint is just the wrapper for the car. The car is what matters.

 

[RickMachE]

I think it's great the body shop expertise on this forum, who knew?

Unfortunate that there isn't also expertise in insurance claims. When you contact your insurance company, they will assign an adjuster. That adjuster will work with the body shop on the estimate. So, if they say 12 hours of recalibration, the adjuster says "it's 3 hours", and that's that.

I have 3 vehicles, two of them EVs. My annual auto insurance cost is just over $4,000. Michigan is the 2nd highest cost state, was the first. Just had a hail storm in June. Roofing company that did repairs a few years ago came and found damage. Made claim, adjuster verified damage. Getting a roof for over $30,000 for $1,000 deductible. Nature did it. Will rates go up? Maybe. But that's what I pay insurance for, to protect me and my assets.

This is all in systems, the time and costing. It's guess-work on some of it, because until they take things further apart and power up new things, they don't know. That's what the adjuster is for, and the insurance company.

The wheel is also damaged, per the estimate.

Spend all the time you want fighting the body shop. Good luck!

 

[Phill62]

Looking at the estimate, they are charging you door rate. Basically the customer pay rate as opposed to a negotiated insurance rate. Ford workshop manual requires a pre and post scan anytime components that may require calibration are to be removed and installed or replaced. I assume the headlamp tabs are broken necessitating the headlamp replacement. You're better off going through your insurance and have them subrogate the other guy's insurance company.

 

[tuminatr]

First off, get it fixed that's what you have insurance for.

I work in automotive not auto body. Auto body is more of an art than mechanical repair and there are many ways to do the same thing. And there are many levels of skill.

A direct example is my old MME had the charge door ripped off by a car wash. The door / cover just snaps on and off and the wash removed it. They were able to find the part and we were able to reinstall. It also put a dent in the fender right at the body crease. I took the car to a local body shop they gave me a $3700 estimate. I thought that was a lot and asked about it they told me the fender is aluminum and cannot be fixed by paintless so needs to be replaced. The rest is paint and blending.

I took the car to a local dent wizard (seriously an artist) he fixed it for $900. I did get the wash to cover.

 

[IMDIDOC]

I got into a small accident a few months ago that did some damage to my front right (other car drifted into my lane on a curving road).

The other guy’s insurance denied the claim, and I haven’t wanted to submit to my insurance for a worry of a rise in premium regardless of fault.

The other guy’s insurance inspected it, they estimated around $1,300. The bodyshop I went to initially gave me an estimate of $3,000. I know adjuster estimates are often way too optimistic, so the bodyshop’s number didn’t surprise me too much.

When the body shop inspected, they raised their estimate to about $8,800. I was shocked, the only thing they uncovered when they took it apart was some fender damage necessitating a new panel and some hood damage requiring repainting. By their own numbers, this should have raised it by only about $1,100 or so (since they already knew they had to repaint the fender, they just thought they could reuse the existing one).

Anyway, I’d walk away, but they are insisting on charging me $650 just for the inspection. I am telling them I shouldn’t have to because their estimate was so off.

Do you guys think the estimate from the body shop is reasonable/unreasonable? I’m posting a picture of the damage (scuffs on some panels, light, and wheel, and apparently hidden deformation of fender now hitting hood), they want to replace light, wheel, say fender can’t be reused.

Insurance estimate

Bodyshop estimate

I got into a small accident a few months ago that did some damage to my front right (other car drifted into my lane on a curving road).

The other guy’s insurance denied the claim, and I haven’t wanted to submit to my insurance for a worry of a rise in premium regardless of fault.

The other guy’s insurance inspected it, they estimated around $1,300. The bodyshop I went to initially gave me an estimate of $3,000. I know adjuster estimates are often way too optimistic, so the bodyshop’s number didn’t surprise me too much.

When the body shop inspected, they raised their estimate to about $8,800. I was shocked, the only thing they uncovered when they took it apart was some fender damage necessitating a new panel and some hood damage requiring repainting. By their own numbers, this should have raised it by only about $1,100 or so (since they already knew they had to repaint the fender, they just thought they could reuse the existing one).

Anyway, I’d walk away, but they are insisting on charging me $650 just for the inspection. I am telling them I shouldn’t have to because their estimate was so off.

Do you guys think the estimate from the body shop is reasonable/unreasonable? I’m posting a picture of the damage (scuffs on some panels, light, and wheel, and apparently hidden deformation of fender now hitting hood), they want to replace light, wheel, say fender can’t be reused.

I can sympathize. I hit a rock and the estimate was $1,500 but in the end was over $5,000. More recently the front air dam part of the bumper hit a curb and the estimate is $1,500-$2,000, and that is just using epoxy to fill in the grove. Paint is very expensive, and the labor rates are crazy. Even the local Goodyear labor rate is $170/hour.

 

[MotownMachdoc]

I got into a small accident a few months ago that did some damage to my front right (other car drifted into my lane on a curving road).

The other guy’s insurance denied the claim, and I haven’t wanted to submit to my insurance for a worry of a rise in premium regardless of fault.

The other guy’s insurance inspected it, they estimated around $1,300. The bodyshop I went to initially gave me an estimate of $3,000. I know adjuster estimates are often way too optimistic, so the bodyshop’s number didn’t surprise me too much.

When the body shop inspected, they raised their estimate to about $8,800. I was shocked, the only thing they uncovered when they took it apart was some fender damage necessitating a new panel and some hood damage requiring repainting. By their own numbers, this should have raised it by only about $1,100 or so (since they already knew they had to repaint the fender, they just thought they could reuse the existing one).

Anyway, I’d walk away, but they are insisting on charging me $650 just for the inspection. I am telling them I shouldn’t have to because their estimate was so off.

Do you guys think the estimate from the body shop is reasonable/unreasonable? I’m posting a picture of the damage (scuffs on some panels, light, and wheel, and apparently hidden deformation of fender now hitting hood), they want to replace light, wheel, say fender can’t be reused.

Insurance estimate

Bodyshop estimate

If the estimate changed after they took it apart, that is not a surprise. If they charge you for the process when you don’t have them complete the repair that’s not surprising they charge for that labor. I question is there a police report. That is one thing the insurance companies want to know. My experience (a repair a year ago) is that if you have an insurance company that uses a certified repair center they have a process based on analytics to deal with changes with estimates. Labor is the biggest cost.

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