Progressive Insurance and "Upgraded" Parts for Accident Repair??

**Charles** · 11-25-2008 12:51 PM

Ok, so some douchewank hit my car. I'm assuming the whole front end/headlamps/hood/radiator will have to be replaced. I was hoping that I could swing a USP bumper out of this mess and possibly some Ecodes. I have Progressive. Has anyone been able to do something like this under Progressive Ins? Obviously I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but if the prices for parts are relatively similar maybe I could pay the difference or the body shop could just give the estimate with the USP parts??

**HOFFY11** · 11-25-2008 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Charles

Ok, so some douchewank hit my car. I'm assuming the whole front end/headlamps/hood/radiator will have to be replaced. I was hoping that I could swing a USP bumper out of this mess and possibly some Ecodes. I have Progressive. Has anyone been able to do something like this under Progressive Ins? Obviously I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but if the prices for parts are relatively similar maybe I could pay the difference or the body shop could just give the estimate with the USP parts??

what you do is get the 3 quotes to fix your car at the worlds biggest rip off places you can find...they get the quotes, send you a check, and you find good deals on aftermarket parts..dont even mention anything to insurance about getting upgraded parts from them...they only will repair to factory specs

**kwik_shift** · 11-25-2008 01:04 PM

Every insurance company is different. I'm sure the body shop would be willing to get usp parts and you pay the difference. But Hoffy11's idea sounds pretty good too. Do you know if the Progressive pays the body shop directly or will they be sending you a check.

**Charles** · 11-25-2008 02:10 PM

Damn, I certainly hope they don't total it out. It's a 2003 5sp sport pkg, and on the Progressive site, they estimate its worth at 13.5K. I owe 14.5K on it.

Well, as it stands, it's at the VW dealership that's owned by the same company that owns the Audi dealership. The Audi dealership doesn't have a body shop so it got towed there. I'm not sure how I'd get multiple quotes with it not running and sitting on their lot. At this point, I'm just going to go over there and talk to the bodyshop guys.

**msharifi** · 11-25-2008 02:50 PM

One thing I have learned is that when you get a Quote there is 2 Quotes.. Out of pocket or Insurance... Body shops give discounts to insurance company and if you get a quote for insurance and the insurance pays you after you go to body shop to fix it might be more then what the insurance gave you.. Sure insurance can give you more if you prove it was more than what the insurance cut you a check.. They will want to see the car or call the shop.

Just be careful. If you pay the shop the difference I would think thats the fastest and less pain in the ass...

**Charles** · 11-25-2008 04:56 PM

Ok, talked with the Body Shop manager and she told me that she couldn't outright lie and say the USP part was stock on the car, but they'll make sure that every little thing that "might" look damaged is listed to be replaced. I took that as "we'll inflate the estimate so you won't have to pay that much out of pocket for the USP bumper"

We'll see!

**Undisputed** · 11-25-2008 05:15 PM

GL with that. I tried to do the same thing with Progressive when it came time to fix my car. It didn't work out. I have a USP and I had to fight with them just to get them to get me OEM parts. I wanted an aftermarket bumper, but I'm glad that I at least got all new stuff. If you need more info PM me and we'll talk.

**Chopstixs** · 11-25-2008 05:44 PM

What you should have done (maybe the rep. didn't tell you) is get the custom parts coverage and keep all your receipts.

My car was broken into and they were able to get my JLW7 and ripped up my nitrous and W/E setup, all I had to do is show Progressive the receipts and get an estimate from my shop to reinstall everything.

**Dolphin18T** · 11-25-2008 05:46 PM

Worked for me. I just had them get the USP parts and then paid the difference. Make sure you call your local dealership and ask them where they get the body work done. Its always best to find a place that is used to working on Audi's.

**boy412** · 11-26-2008 03:11 PM

Not to thread-jack, but I've been wondering about whether my insurance company would cover damage done to one of my aftermarket wheels? I haven't asked yet.

They were re-paving in my 'hood and a manhole cover was sticking up about 4 inches or so. Swerved so I didn't hit it straight on, but scored a direct hit on one of my wheels. Big ding on the back side, and one of the spokes is center-bent (not repairable). I'd rather not spend $1000 for a new wheel.

Rollin' on winter wheels now...