Expert: Bennie719 - 4/12/2008

Question
I recently had an accident in which I rear ended another vehicle.  The whole
front end was smashed and both driver and passenger airbags deployed. For
the repairs  I went with the the body shop that the insurance company
suggested. I got the car back yesterday (over 3 months after the accident)
and drove approximately 30 miles before the transmission gave out on the
freeway.  As I pulled off the road onto the shoulder, I realized that the hazard
lights do not function.  First and foremost I'm concerned with how well they
repaired the vehicle and second was it even legal for them to release the
vehicle to me without the hazard lights functioning?  It seemed like a serious
safety hazard as I was parked on a narrow shoulder hoping I wouldn't get hit
by a passing motorist who didn't notice me. The shop says they guarantee
their work and I can bring it back to be repaired but I no longer have faith in
their work.  What should I do and how should I go about it?

Answer
Hi Kevin,
You need to report this problem back to your insurance company.
They will want you to go back to the same shop due to the guaranteed repairs, it would mean no extra cost to insurance company.

You need to get the insurance company to agree to pay the cost of having an independent adjuster inspect the repairs and test drive the car before you accept it back from the second round of repair.

I hope this information is helpful.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area