How's this estimate for my car?

I asked for advice on auto-body works two days ago. My car
pics at the crash scene are at
[url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index.htm[/url] .

I took my car to a local auto body shop. They did an
estimate along with the AllSate adjuster. The estimate is at
[url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index02.htm[/url] (please
resize). Could some experts here take a look at the estimate
to see if everything looks alright?

I have questions on estimate page one, where it says
"Uni-body frame - Repair". Is that how it's done normally?
frame being repaired instead of being replaced.

Right below the said line, there is "Section, Front body -
Recycled Part - $1500". The shop said they actually will use
new part and the paper says "Recycled Part" is because my
AllSate insurance says so in my insurance policy. Can I
trust them that they'll actually put new parts on my car
after I sign the release form to release my car to them?

The whole estimate comes to $4328.11. With $500 deductible,
Allstate pays out $3828.11 as the paper shows. With this
deal, am I getting what it's worth?

This accident is getting my nerves. And I know nothing about
cars. Experts please help me out. Thanks.

"likeit" <likeit@home.com> wrote in message
news:eb44c1tjgoiagt9aqrmvtnq0u325knrtnp@4ax.com...[color=blue]
>I asked for advice on auto-body works two days ago. My car
> pics at the crash scene are at
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index.htm[/url] .[/color]
[color=blue]
> I took my car to a local auto body shop. They did an
> estimate along with the AllSate adjuster. The estimate is at
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index02.htm[/url] (please
> resize). Could some experts here take a look at the estimate
> to see if everything looks alright?[/color]

I couldn't open either page.
[color=blue]
>
> I have questions on estimate page one, where it says
> "Uni-body frame - Repair". Is that how it's done normally?
> frame being repaired instead of being replaced.[/color]

There are two basic types of vehicle designs:

A body-on-frame design consisted of a frame (usually ladder or
wishbone-shaped) that supported the engine and drivetrain and had a body
sitting on the frame. This used to the be most common construction type and
is still used in some SUV's and in full-size vans and trucks other than the
Honda Ridgeline.

A uni-body (A.K.A. unitized body, monocoque) uses formed sheet metal to give
the car its strength. This design is generally lighter and makes for a very
rigid chassis, which improves handling. Most modern cars use this design as
do open wheel race cars (like Indy and Formula 1). Because the car itself
is the frame, there is no conventional frame to replace although some
unibody designs use sub-frames to hold the suspension, engine, and
transmission.

A bent unibody is usually straightened by putting it on a frame machine and
using special attachments to pull the bent part until it is straight. If a
part is bent too severely, it is cut out and a replacement piece is welded
in its place.
[color=blue]
>
> Right below the said line, there is "Section, Front body -
> Recycled Part - $1500". The shop said they actually will use
> new part and the paper says "Recycled Part" is because my
> AllSate insurance says so in my insurance policy. Can I
> trust them that they'll actually put new parts on my car
> after I sign the release form to release my car to them?[/color]

Whether you can trust the body shop to put new parts in your car depends on
the body shop. If you do not know if they are reputable or not, the only
way to tell is to inspect the part after it is installed. Insurance
companies try to save money by using recycled or aftermarket parts. Many
states have laws that prevent the insurance companies from forcing you to
use recycled or aftermarket parts so they will use various ruses to get you
to agree to them. Read the fine print on any authrorization to repair.
[color=blue]
>
> The whole estimate comes to $4328.11. With $500 deductible,
> Allstate pays out $3828.11 as the paper shows. With this
> deal, am I getting what it's worth?
>[/color]
[color=blue]
> This accident is getting my nerves. And I know nothing about
> cars. Experts please help me out. Thanks.[/color]
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

In article <eb44c1tjgoiagt9aqrmvtnq0u325knrtnp@4ax.com>,
likeit <likeit@home.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> I have questions on estimate page one, where it says
> "Uni-body frame - Repair". Is that how it's done normally?
> frame being repaired instead of being replaced.[/color]

What they are really saying is that your car has a "uni-body", NOT a
conventional frame. There is no frame to replace. The uni-body must be
repaired.

Merritt

likeit wrote:[color=blue]
> Right below the said line, there is "Section, Front body -
> Recycled Part - $1500". The shop said they actually will use
> new part and the paper says "Recycled Part" is because my
> AllSate insurance says so in my insurance policy. Can I
> trust them that they'll actually put new parts on my car
> after I sign the release form to release my car to them?[/color]

Does your state require owner's consent for non-OEM parts?
[url]http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/genericauto/?table_sort_722000=4[/url]

That looks pretty reasonable for that much damage, if you have reason
to believe they will do the job right. My Matrix had a minor scrape on
the rear bumper cover which also wiped out a small spoiler underneath
and it was $1400 to fix.

You vehicle is not built on a separate frame, hence the need to
refinish the front ends of the box, and a front clip from a
salvage yard. If they use all new parts the loss may exceed the
value of the vehicle and they would total the car.. Toyota crash
parts are very pricey.

I've been in the business for over 50 years and the estimate
looks good to me. Your car is not hit bad, it looks worse than
it is. Not to worry, All State is a reliable company. It will
look as good as new, when it is finished.

What surprises me is, where do you live that the shop rate is
only $40? In our area the shop rate is more like twice that
amount.


mike hunt



likeit wrote:[color=blue]
>
> I asked for advice on auto-body works two days ago. My car
> pics at the crash scene are at
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index.htm[/url] .
>
> I took my car to a local auto body shop. They did an
> estimate along with the AllSate adjuster. The estimate is at
> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index02.htm[/url] (please
> resize). Could some experts here take a look at the estimate
> to see if everything looks alright?
>
> I have questions on estimate page one, where it says
> "Uni-body frame - Repair". Is that how it's done normally?
> frame being repaired instead of being replaced.
>
> Right below the said line, there is "Section, Front body -
> Recycled Part - $1500". The shop said they actually will use
> new part and the paper says "Recycled Part" is because my
> AllSate insurance says so in my insurance policy. Can I
> trust them that they'll actually put new parts on my car
> after I sign the release form to release my car to them?
>
> The whole estimate comes to $4328.11. With $500 deductible,
> Allstate pays out $3828.11 as the paper shows. With this
> deal, am I getting what it's worth?
>
> This accident is getting my nerves. And I know nothing about
> cars. Experts please help me out. Thanks.[/color]

On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 17:54:37 -0400, MelvinGibson wrote:
[color=blue]
> You vehicle is not built on a separate frame, hence the need to
> refinish the front ends of the box, and a front clip from a
> salvage yard. If they use all new parts the loss may exceed the
> value of the vehicle and they would total the car.. Toyota crash
> parts are very pricey.
>
> I've been in the business for over 50 years and the estimate
> looks good to me. Your car is not hit bad, it looks worse than
> it is. Not to worry, All State is a reliable company. It will
> look as good as new, when it is finished.
>
> What surprises me is, where do you live that the shop rate is
> only $40? In our area the shop rate is more like twice that
> amount.[/color]


And in Connecticut 3 TIMES that amount! That car would have been totalled
in CT.

[color=blue]
> mike hunt
>
>
>
> likeit wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> I asked for advice on auto-body works two days ago. My car pics at the
>> crash scene are at
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index.htm[/url] .
>>
>> I took my car to a local auto body shop. They did an estimate along
>> with the AllSate adjuster. The estimate is at
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index02.htm[/url] (please resize). Could
>> some experts here take a look at the estimate to see if everything
>> looks alright?
>>
>> I have questions on estimate page one, where it says "Uni-body frame -
>> Repair". Is that how it's done normally? frame being repaired instead
>> of being replaced.
>>
>> Right below the said line, there is "Section, Front body - Recycled
>> Part - $1500". The shop said they actually will use new part and the
>> paper says "Recycled Part" is because my AllSate insurance says so in
>> my insurance policy. Can I trust them that they'll actually put new
>> parts on my car after I sign the release form to release my car to
>> them?
>>
>> The whole estimate comes to $4328.11. With $500 deductible, Allstate
>> pays out $3828.11 as the paper shows. With this deal, am I getting what
>> it's worth?
>>
>> This accident is getting my nerves. And I know nothing about cars.
>> Experts please help me out. Thanks.[/color][/color]

Thanks Mike. You made me kinda relieved.

I'm in New York City. The shop is called "Expressive Auto
Body" located at 54-24 Flushing Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378.
It's in Queens if you know about New York City. The shop is
actually the place my car was towed to by the towing
company. I checked BBB.org, they had one complaint in last
three years. Can't judge the shop just on that. So
hopefully it's a good shop.

If $40 isn't the right labor rate, what should a good
autobody shop charge? There are lots of autoshops here so
there are lots of competitions here too. Most of shops look
crappy from outside. I can't tell how good a job they do.



On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 17:54:37 -0400,
[email]MelvinGibson@mailcity.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
>You vehicle is not built on a separate frame, hence the need to
>refinish the front ends of the box, and a front clip from a
>salvage yard. If they use all new parts the loss may exceed the
>value of the vehicle and they would total the car.. Toyota crash
>parts are very pricey.
>
>I've been in the business for over 50 years and the estimate
>looks good to me. Your car is not hit bad, it looks worse than
>it is. Not to worry, All State is a reliable company. It will
>look as good as new, when it is finished.
>
>What surprises me is, where do you live that the shop rate is
>only $40? In our area the shop rate is more like twice that
>amount.
>
>
>mike hunt
>
>
>
>likeit wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> I asked for advice on auto-body works two days ago. My car
>> pics at the crash scene are at
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index.htm[/url] .
>>
>> I took my car to a local auto body shop. They did an
>> estimate along with the AllSate adjuster. The estimate is at
>> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index02.htm[/url] (please
>> resize). Could some experts here take a look at the estimate
>> to see if everything looks alright?
>>
>> I have questions on estimate page one, where it says
>> "Uni-body frame - Repair". Is that how it's done normally?
>> frame being repaired instead of being replaced.
>>
>> Right below the said line, there is "Section, Front body -
>> Recycled Part - $1500". The shop said they actually will use
>> new part and the paper says "Recycled Part" is because my
>> AllSate insurance says so in my insurance policy. Can I
>> trust them that they'll actually put new parts on my car
>> after I sign the release form to release my car to them?
>>
>> The whole estimate comes to $4328.11. With $500 deductible,
>> Allstate pays out $3828.11 as the paper shows. With this
>> deal, am I getting what it's worth?
>>
>> This accident is getting my nerves. And I know nothing about
>> cars. Experts please help me out. Thanks.[/color][/color]

Mine was 80 bucks an hour (Florida)

On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 17:05:22 -0700, Mark wrote:
[color=blue]
> Mine was 80 bucks an hour (Florida)[/color]

$60-100 MA

My guess is they give you insurance company a special rate.
There is a shop on 38th, near the fire station, MB dealer, and
the Javits center, to whom we sell dozens of police cars. They
convert them into taxis. It looks like crapo but the do first
class work. It must be a NY thing. ;)


mike hunt



likeit wrote:[color=blue]
>
> Thanks Mike. You made me kinda relieved.
>
> I'm in New York City. The shop is called "Expressive Auto
> Body" located at 54-24 Flushing Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378.
> It's in Queens if you know about New York City. The shop is
> actually the place my car was towed to by the towing
> company. I checked BBB.org, they had one complaint in last
> three years. Can't judge the shop just on that. So
> hopefully it's a good shop.
>
> If $40 isn't the right labor rate, what should a good
> autobody shop charge? There are lots of autoshops here so
> there are lots of competitions here too. Most of shops look
> crappy from outside. I can't tell how good a job they do.
>
> On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 17:54:37 -0400,
> [email]MelvinGibson@mailcity.com[/email] wrote:
>[color=green]
> >You vehicle is not built on a separate frame, hence the need to
> >refinish the front ends of the box, and a front clip from a
> >salvage yard. If they use all new parts the loss may exceed the
> >value of the vehicle and they would total the car.. Toyota crash
> >parts are very pricey.
> >
> >I've been in the business for over 50 years and the estimate
> >looks good to me. Your car is not hit bad, it looks worse than
> >it is. Not to worry, All State is a reliable company. It will
> >look as good as new, when it is finished.
> >
> >What surprises me is, where do you live that the shop rate is
> >only $40? In our area the shop rate is more like twice that
> >amount.
> >
> >
> >mike hunt
> >
> >
> >
> >likeit wrote:[color=darkred]
> >>
> >> I asked for advice on auto-body works two days ago. My car
> >> pics at the crash scene are at
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index.htm[/url] .
> >>
> >> I took my car to a local auto body shop. They did an
> >> estimate along with the AllSate adjuster. The estimate is at
> >> [url]http://www.geocities.com/eroticsmurf/index02.htm[/url] (please
> >> resize). Could some experts here take a look at the estimate
> >> to see if everything looks alright?
> >>
> >> I have questions on estimate page one, where it says
> >> "Uni-body frame - Repair". Is that how it's done normally?
> >> frame being repaired instead of being replaced.
> >>
> >> Right below the said line, there is "Section, Front body -
> >> Recycled Part - $1500". The shop said they actually will use
> >> new part and the paper says "Recycled Part" is because my
> >> AllSate insurance says so in my insurance policy. Can I
> >> trust them that they'll actually put new parts on my car
> >> after I sign the release form to release my car to them?
> >>
> >> The whole estimate comes to $4328.11. With $500 deductible,
> >> Allstate pays out $3828.11 as the paper shows. With this
> >> deal, am I getting what it's worth?
> >>
> >> This accident is getting my nerves. And I know nothing about
> >> cars. Experts please help me out. Thanks.[/color][/color][/color]

We operate in six easter states, including Florida, and that is
what we see $80 to $110.


mike hunt



Mark wrote:[color=blue]
>
> Mine was 80 bucks an hour (Florida)[/color]

I'm not sure why you're so involved in the process. Way back in '92, my
beloved '87 Corolla got mushed at 1 am whilst parked on the street,
while I was sleeping. I called my Toyota dealer in the morning, asked
them who they recommended for repair, AAA towed my car to that shop. I
called my insurance company, told them where my car was, they dealt with
the repair shop. I didn't do a thing until I picked my car up, looking
and running like new. Why are you doing your insurance company's job?
Don't you pay them enough?

[email]MelvinGibson@mailcity.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
> You vehicle is not built on a separate frame, hence the need to
> refinish the front ends of the box, and a front clip from a
> salvage yard. If they use all new parts the loss may exceed the
> value of the vehicle and they would total the car.. Toyota crash
> parts are very pricey.
>
> I've been in the business for over 50 years and the estimate
> looks good to me. Your car is not hit bad, it looks worse than
> it is. Not to worry, All State is a reliable company. It will
> look as good as new, when it is finished.
>
> What surprises me is, where do you live that the shop rate is
> only $40? In our area the shop rate is more like twice that
> amount.[/color]

I noticed that, too. It would be $4500 in California, IF
they didn't gouge you another thousand on parts.

My guess is that is because of California goofy environmental
laws and the extranodinarly high price of Japanese car parts.


mike hunt



Joseph Oberlander wrote:[color=blue]
>
> [email]MelvinGibson@mailcity.com[/email] wrote:
>
>[color=green]
> > What surprises me is, where do you live that the shop rate is
> > only $40? In our area the shop rate is more like twice that
> > amount.[/color]
>
> I noticed that, too. It would be $4500 in California, IF
> they didn't gouge you another thousand on parts.[/color]