First fender bender: Best advice for using insurance payout for RS4 front bumper?

[S4Gibbs]

Hi All,

I was in my first fender bender the other day; very upset to say the least. I know a lot of people use collisions as an excuse to fund OEM+ parts: e-codes, RS4 front bumper, aftermarket rear diffusers, etc.

Any advice on how best to do this through insurance? Most of the autobody shops I've talked to said they're only interested in using VIN-matched parts when dealing with insurance, to avoid potential fitment headaches.

Thanks in advance!

[sacandagaD]

Hi All,

I was in my first fender bender the other day; very upset to say the least. I know a lot of people use collisions as an excuse to fund OEM+ parts: e-codes, RS4 front bumper, aftermarket rear diffusers, etc.

Any advice on how best to do this through insurance? Most of the autobody shops I've talked to said they're only interested in using VIN-matched parts when dealing with insurance, to avoid potential fitment headaches.

Thanks in advance!

A good body shop should be working for you and with you, and not really mind you upgrading parts on your own dime. The insurance estimate is going to be for returning the car to it's pre-crash state. Any upgrade costing more is the out of pocket difference to you. If there is a fitment problem and cost over run due to you buying crappy quality parts, they should just charge you more personally.

[TEB]

One option is to get a cash pay-out from your insurance company and then work directly with the shop yourself.

[Gberg888]

Dont do ^

There is always damage you cannot see and you will get screwed unless your shop and insurance company agree to pay for any additional damage found.

[TEB]

Dont do ^

There is always damage you cannot see and you will get screwed unless your shop and insurance company agree to pay for any additional damage found.

I didn't say it was a good option for all situations. It depends on the amount of damage, your confidence level in the estimate, and your willingness to accept risk.

I did this several years ago. Sourced the parts myself, had them painted, did the installation and final tweaks myself = profit + I knew everything was back together correctly.

[brilliant_black]

In my case, the after market RS5 bumper and grilles kit was $100 cheaper than the insurance estimate for an oem bumper and grille.

[S4Gibbs]

I didn't say it was a good option for all situations. It depends on the amount of damage, your confidence level in the estimate, and your willingness to accept risk.

I did this several years ago. Sourced the parts myself, had them painted, did the installation and final tweaks myself = profit + I knew everything was back together correctly.

Thanks all for your input. I'm thinking I'll take the cash like you did and source+install the parts myself.

Any input as to how to gain leverage on an insurance adjuster to make sure I get a check for all the damaged parts? Right now, insurance is trying to push for trying to repair the hood: sheet metal work + bondo + half-hood paint color blend, as apposed to getting installing and painting whole new hood + blending paint on driver's fender...

[SteveYem]

Thanks all for your input. I'm thinking I'll take the cash like you did and source+install the parts myself.

Any input as to how to gain leverage on an insurance adjuster to make sure I get a check for all the damaged parts? Right now, insurance is trying to push for trying to repair the hood: sheet metal work + bondo + half-hood paint color blend, as apposed to getting installing and painting whole new hood + blending paint on driver's fender...

Following up my last PM on this topic - I'd urge you to give the body shop I mentioned a look at this. In my experience with them, they would not recommend or condone the type of repair job that your insurance is pushing for. For example, the main result of my minor front end collision was a relatively small dent in the bumper. I was pretty sure they could heat it to pop it back out into position, use a small bit of plastic filler and repaint - but they said there was a chance that it wouldn't turn out perfect and therefore elected to replace the bumper. In other words, I was willing to settle for a lesser job but they wouldn't do it because ultimately their reputation is at stake.

[S4Gibbs]

Following up my last PM on this topic - I'd urge you to give the body shop I mentioned a look at this. In my experience with them, they would not recommend or condone the type of repair job that your insurance is pushing for. For example, the main result of my minor front end collision was a relatively small dent in the bumper. I was pretty sure they could heat it to pop it back out into position, use a small bit of plastic filler and repaint - but they said there was a chance that it wouldn't turn out perfect and therefore elected to replace the bumper. In other words, I was willing to settle for a lesser job but they wouldn't do it because ultimately their reputation is at stake.

Thanks, I'll definitely take a look at the shop you mentioned: the reviews look great! I'm sure most reputable body shops will refuse to attempt sheet metal work on a hood, but I'm mainly looking for a shop that is also willing to install the front end parts that I want.

Now if I can only find a good place to order a set of E-codes...

[SteveYem]

Thanks, I'll definitely take a look at the shop you mentioned: the reviews look great! I'm sure most reputable body shops will refuse to attempt sheet metal work on a hood, but I'm mainly looking for a shop that is also willing to install the front end parts that I want.

Now if I can only find a good place to order a set of E-codes...

If you're willing to buy used, take some risk and find a seller willing to ship (then expect to wait a while for DHL to deliver), ebay.de could be a good place to start!
If you want to buy new, my body shop had good luck working with Alex @ Europrice to source my replacement E-code headlight.

[chrisucf99]

An aftermarket RS4 bumper is going to cost LESS than an OEM S4 bumper... so just tell the repair shop what to buy, they will work with you.

[TEB]

Any input as to how to gain leverage on an insurance adjuster to make sure I get a check for all the damaged parts? Right now, insurance is trying to push for trying to repair the hood: sheet metal work + bondo + half-hood paint color blend, as apposed to getting installing and painting whole new hood + blending paint on driver's fender...

This doesn't sound good. Is your adjuster the only one looking at the car? You aren't able to get a few estimates from shops?

[bberg22]

When I had a front end accident, I saved enough money on using aftermarket RS grille, Euro headlights, etc that it actually paid for my insurance deductible. Slight silver lining to a shit situation, but an accident can be the opportunity to get aftermarket mods you were going to do anyway and at a lower price that OEM.

[S4Gibbs]

This doesn't sound good. Is your adjuster the only one looking at the car? You aren't able to get a few estimates from shops?

I'm managed to get a few partial estimates from shops, but they're just pushing for me to send over the estimate the adjuster created as a base. My insurance adjuster is saying that I may indeed need a new hood instead of repairing the old, but he needs a shop to tell him that aparently - doesn't help my cause trying to get a full insurance payout check so I can arrange parts repairs myself...

When I had a front end accident, I saved enough money on using aftermarket RS grille, Euro headlights, etc that it actually paid for my insurance deductible. Slight silver lining to a shit situation, but an accident can be the opportunity to get aftermarket mods you were going to do anyway and at a lower price that OEM.

This is what I'm trying to do as well. I assume you too the cash-out check and order/installed the parts yourself?