Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 4/4/2009

Question
Hi and thank you,
I have a car accident recently and got moderate damage to the left door and left fender and left wheel. Geico told me to go to their body shop. I have a full coverage and Police report indicated that is not my fault.
When I came to take my car from body shop I was shocked the job was negligent and horrible. The auto adjuster from geico told me that it is because of after the marked pieces!? My car is from 2007 and I expected that everything will be like in new car after the repair.
The body shop representative didn't speak with me only insurance adjuster is pushing their horrible job.
I don't know what to do to sue my insurance company or to start sue body shop. Could I leave the body shop without paying my deductible or not?
I am sure that other body shop could do a good job in new car.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Emil

Answer
Hi Emil,

Now you know from now on to never take your car to a body shop referred by an insurance company even if it is your own insurance company.

You need to set up a meeting with the manager from Geico and the body shop manager and you. You need to make a written list of the items you are not happy with. At the meeting, go over your list and have each of the managers put their initials next to each item that they agree the work is not good. Make 2 additional copies of the papaer after they have put their initials on it. Give one to the body shop, one to the insurance comapny and you keep one. Then you will leave your car for them to correct the problems. Either the body shop or Geico should provide you with a rental car while they re-repair your car. When you go back to pick up your car bring your written list. Go over the car in detail to see that everthing on the list has been corrected to your satisfaction. If not then you need to tell the body shop nmanager what you are still not happy with. If they are not willing to make any more corrections, you will need to go to another body shop to get a re-repair estimate and then you will file suit against the 1st body shop and Geico.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh