So to make a long story short, I was rear ended and I had the appraiser come out to ride me an estimate of only $1500. This was way less than I expected because when I went to get my door panel replaced at Nissan, that alone cost almost $600 with labor. Heres a picture of what was damaged. The tail light is cracked and there is some frame damage behind the bumper. Question is what is the best way to get this fixed. Should I take it to Nissan to see if they can fix it for that price and if additional money is needed to contact the insurance, or should I just order the new parts and find a place to fix and paint it cheaper

 

Take it to a reputable shop, insurance and shop have to agree on a price to repair, especially if you were not at fault.

 

A lot of the time insurance companys will have you go to an approved repair shop and generally the insurance company will warranty the work. The insurance company of the person at fault is soley responsible for a damages resulting in the accident. DO NOT TAKE A CHECK FROM THEM. Get your car fixed at an approved repair shop and have them bill the insurance company. if you take a check from them before you get the car fixed and cash it then the insurance company will say that they matter is resolved and you will be screwed out of the difference. Don't be afraid to bully the insurance company around. I did and I went from receiving $495 to about $1100 just because I told the adjuster I would sue if the matter was not resolved to my satisfaction. If you feel like they are going to screw you just get a lawyer. You never know..... your back and neck might start hurting it may cause you to miss work or live an usatisfactory life which incase you would be entitled to restitution. Moral is.... the insurance company isnt the one in charge here you are. You were hit by their driver. They are responsible for fixing the car back to the way it was before or as best as it can be. Dont be cheap when repairing your car just because a adjuster said they feel like it should only cost "x" amount to fix somthing.

 

Do not go to the dealer for body work. Dealers only do one thing good, and that is sell cars. 99% of them flat suck when it comes to paint and body. Find a good independent body shop and they will work it out with the insurance company.

 

that looks worse than it really is. Where do you see frame damage?

From the looks of that one pic, you'll need the Q-panel fixed, rear muper cover replaced along with the tail and side marker. $1500 sounds a bit low for an insurance job, you might ask for a new Q-panel if you don't want body filler on your panel, then again, can't tell how far in the panel is by the pic. Bring it to a shop and have them take off the parts and get a saplement done if theres more damage than adjuster could see.

 

Take it to a good bodyshop, let the bodyshop do the estimate and call the insurance.

 

remember that basically all insurance companies are in cahoots (sp?) so your own insurance co. will try to save the at fault driver's insurance co. money. its BULL S**T

 

do all that and the dance....................j/k

 

That's a lot more than $1500 damage. Insist on new Nissan parts. Also, if that is pearl paint it is a 3 stage process and it costs more. Another thing is get a rental car for your troubles. You should get to choose the body shop, if unsure check with AAA auto club.

 

$1,500 is just to start. As they rip it down, I'm sure the cost will go higher. Come on bro, Drop it off at any legit body shop and get estimates. If you feel better, Get a bunch of writeup estimates and pick the highest amount. Either way, You will still have to pay your deductable. Good luck fixing the damage.

 

+1
once the shop pulls everything off they will have to get a supplement for the rest of the damage. 1500.00 is way off.....I am lucky to have a friend who owns a body shop and when he does work for me, he sticks it to the insurance co.

 

That's the kind of thinking we need around here, stick it to the man. I bet while your "friend" is sticking it to the insurance company you get to stick the extra cash in your pocket. Totally wrong and not acceptable.

 

bro i just had the same accident but a little but worse take it to a nissan dealership and have it fixed. once u give it to the shop and they money your insurance company gives u, the body shop can ask for more money if more repairs are needed. take care of it cause frame damage can be a pain in the a**. my doors were not opening on mine but they fixed and frame damage lifetime warranty on all the work they did. take it to a shop insurance company doiesnt want to pay u need to get tall the money u need to replcae it especially if not at fault

 

when mine got done it was around $8000