Just got off the phone with Hertz claims; adjuster says they won't replace my rear bumper if
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AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
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Just got off the phone with Hertz claims; adjuster says they won't replace my rear bumper if
it's repairable. I need some info on what people have done to get it replaced when in a similar situation.
The story is I was rearended in stop and go traffic. He put 2 holes in my rear bumper from the license plate screws, scratches on bumper and valence, and dinged one of my ASP TD exhaust tips.
Estimate for repair is about $500 after insurance adjustment(down from initial $600 estimate from shop). The shop's estimate for replacing the bumper is $980.
Neither estimate includes the damage to the exhaust, which the shop says is not repairable. An independant adjuster is coming out in the next couple business days to look at it.
I really don't want the thing repaired, but they say since it is a 2001 the bumper wasn't new so they are not required by law to replace it.
I need some suggestions.
The story is I was rearended in stop and go traffic. He put 2 holes in my rear bumper from the license plate screws, scratches on bumper and valence, and dinged one of my ASP TD exhaust tips.
Estimate for repair is about $500 after insurance adjustment(down from initial $600 estimate from shop). The shop's estimate for replacing the bumper is $980.
Neither estimate includes the damage to the exhaust, which the shop says is not repairable. An independant adjuster is coming out in the next couple business days to look at it.
I really don't want the thing repaired, but they say since it is a 2001 the bumper wasn't new so they are not required by law to replace it.
I need some suggestions.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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The adjuster is paid by Hertz...
and they get paid based on how much money they save Hertz. More money saved, more money for them. So get your ducks in a row before that adjuster shows up.
I would consult your insurance company first...and see what they suggest. Talk to the body shop as well. I've been in a similar situation, however the bumper was only slightly dinged. The car was pristine before the accident, so I insisted on a new rear bumper. Body shop went to bat for me with the adjuster (sent by my insurance company), but warned me that it's entirely fixable, so it's a tough case to make. I appealed with my insurance company, they took the old bumper back and evaluated. Ultimately, they would only pay for a refinish, not a replacement. If it had a hole in it or it was deformed, they would have replaced it.
I would also dig up a receipt for the exhaust, and some documentation from the body shop that shows it's beyond repair. They won't give you the full amount (ask for it anyway!), but at this point you just want to pad the bill to make up for the loss you might take on the bumper.
I would consult your insurance company first...and see what they suggest. Talk to the body shop as well. I've been in a similar situation, however the bumper was only slightly dinged. The car was pristine before the accident, so I insisted on a new rear bumper. Body shop went to bat for me with the adjuster (sent by my insurance company), but warned me that it's entirely fixable, so it's a tough case to make. I appealed with my insurance company, they took the old bumper back and evaluated. Ultimately, they would only pay for a refinish, not a replacement. If it had a hole in it or it was deformed, they would have replaced it.
I would also dig up a receipt for the exhaust, and some documentation from the body shop that shows it's beyond repair. They won't give you the full amount (ask for it anyway!), but at this point you just want to pad the bill to make up for the loss you might take on the bumper.
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Joined: May 2004
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Remember, the insurance has to put the bumper back to the state it was in before the accident
repairing a bumper can work... sometimes. One body shop wanted to repair mine after I was rear ended. The other shop told me that repairing (the bumper had to be heat molded to be fixed) is sometimes only temporary. After a while it will change back to its damaged shape. So if the bumper is crushed or bubbled in anyway push for a new bumper. If it is just scratched and the holes are small... i should be fixable and look just like a new bumper. If you are using an approved body shop the insurance company will usually garuntee the work for a certain amount of time too.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
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2nd -
chances are they will "know" about it anyways b/c in most states you exchange insurance information at the scene of an accident (in ca is required by law to have proof in car) and you should ALWAYS call the cops to take evidence/notes of the scene to insure that you are not found at fault for any reason.
there should be no reason to be dealing with anything but your chosen bodyshop and your insurance adjuster. its your car bring it where you want.
btw they HAVE to replace/fix exhaust they damaged it and NO they don't have to replace bumper unless there was other "internal" damage to supports or the stryofoam stuff inside. My insurance co has always had them fixed its cheaper than having you come back later.
there should be no reason to be dealing with anything but your chosen bodyshop and your insurance adjuster. its your car bring it where you want.
btw they HAVE to replace/fix exhaust they damaged it and NO they don't have to replace bumper unless there was other "internal" damage to supports or the stryofoam stuff inside. My insurance co has always had them fixed its cheaper than having you come back later.
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Thread Starter
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
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I want to get the Euro S4 bumper. I may leverage the exhaust to get the Euro.
or just have the new one put on and sell the old one for the difference I'm paying out of pocket for the bumper.