State Farm Insurance Problems

[10-G]

Ive just about had it with these people.



I had a fender bender the other day in my truck. It needs a new front bumper. State Farm tells me they will only pay for a remanufactured/recycled bumper that costs about half of a Mopar replacement. I tell them I want a new bumper not a recycled bumper and my truck is only 19 months off the lot. They say "it ain't gonna happen". They say the warranty on the recycled bumpers is as good as a new one etc... The guy reads me the reman. warranty. It talks about not corroding yady yady yah. When I ask about structural integrity, metal rigidity,where the bumper came from, this guy starts repeating policy. Whe I started talking about decelleration and the proper deployment of air bags I got silence and then more repeating of policy. At that point I realized that I was dealing with a professional arguer and I was getting nowhere.



I am really wondering, if they are going to really dig their heels in over $250 what will they do over a bigger deal. I have 4 policies with them including homeowners!!!!!!!! What if something serious happens to my house. Will they try to use salvage products in the repair of my home? Will they quibble over 2 grand or more?



Im calling on my diesel brethren. Any advice from similar experiences. Any success stories with dealing with obstinate insurance companies. Any tips on how to tactfully approach this. I would rather not hire an attorney over $250. 00 but at this juncture in the road it is a possibility.



Tks in advance

 

[dresslered]

I had that same issue with a previous insurance company. I wouldn't even consider a remanufactured bumper. You have no way of knowing what kind of shape that bumper was in before it was straightened out. It will probably never be as strong as a new bumper or have the same tolerances. I don't think that they can force you to accept it nor can they force you to accept aftermarket parts. My insurance company finally gave in when I asked them to give me a 'written' lifetime warrantee on their remanufactured bumper.



P. S. Next time your premium comes due, call them up and quibble over the cost. Tell them, naw, it is only worth this much.

 

[Rman]

The best thing you can do sounds to me like moving policies. Let them know why, write letters all the way up the chain. Sounds to me like you're going to have to just eat it... typical when dealing with insurance scum (no offense to any salesman on the board) I can't stand insurance at all... the govn't mandates it but doesn't regulate it in any fashion... how convenient.

 

[duaneparks]

I have State Farm as well, and have had to deal with my agent on a couple of issues to get them resolved the right way.



I say call up your agent and talk to him/her about the situation. That's what they're there for, and they can go to bat for you.



HTH.



Duane

 

[RustyJC]

Remember those funny-colored riders that come with the premium notices from State Farm? I remember the one about the use of aftermarket parts. They are written so that, by paying the premium, you are effectively agreeing to the rider. In other words, by contract, they have the right to do this unless you took some action to the contrary when the rider came in.



If all the protests and pleas don't work, one approach would be to offer to pay the documented cost difference between the new OEM and the aftermarket part, but at the same time you should expect to share in the decreased labor costs involved in fitting new OEM parts.



Rusty

 

[dresslered]

Interesting article

Seems as if State Farm has been here before...



http://www.ican2000.com/news/article_detail.asp?article=20&printable=yes

 

[10-G]

Well whaddya know. I talked to some more State Farm people and their stance is the bumpers are off of late model trucks (bumper not older than the one that came off of my truck) that have been hit from behind-the front bumper undamaged and "recycled". Any bumper that has dents or any damage ARE NOT USED. They encouraged me to call the supplier. So I did.



Luckily I ended up talking to the General Manager of the remanufactured/recycled bumper supplier. Whe asked ,he said they straighten,hammer,rechrome and polish. When asked if the bumpers are structurally as strong after they are bent,straightened and hammered out, he replied , uhhhh probably not. He also advise that the bumper could be as old as a 1994. At least the guy was truthful-so refreshing.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

My understanding of State Farm's policy is as you described it in your latest post. I have had State Farm insurance since I started driving (18 years) and have never had a problem with a claim. As a matter of fact with a $500 deductible I've always walked away from the deal with some money in my pocket because I do what part of the repairs I can do myself - so they do an estimate of what it would cost to have done at a shop and cut me a check for $500 less than that amount. As it's been explained to me by the adjuster when he was working up the estimate they have to make 2 phone calls to try to get a used OEM bumper and it has to save them at least some amount (I think it was 10%). It HAS to be an OEM part - not an overseas knock off and it HAS to be straight and undamaged and not repaired. I think it also had to be off of your year vehicle or newer (not 100% sure of this one). I would talk with the adjuster or with your agent about what you found about this company. I would bet that the company is trying to pull a fast one on State Farm and is telling them that it's a used take off 100% straight and undamaged and isn't disclosing the repaired part.

 

[JPope]

OEM Replacement Parts

Several thoughts:

1. I like Steve have had State Farm since the first drive(though probably for a few years longer as I am a little older:{ ) and he is giving some good advise.

2. Check out what your state laws or insurance regulations are on OEM parts, as they vary from state to state.

3. Work with the adjuster on a personal basis, as some are better than others to deal with. Sometimes they will help you work it out the way you want, if you work with them. Try to avoid the anger factor!!

4. Work with the shop doing the work. In a lot of cases they can find better deals through their sources and get what you want for the insurance company dollars, as the shop often deals directly with the insurance company (i. e. HIDDEN damage discovered during removal etc. ) They want you happy for the referral.

4. Maybe you can negoiate the best deal for dollars and apply it towards a aftermarket replacement from one of the nice aftermarket bumpers that are available. Do a search and look at pictures on different rigs, and pick what you like. Even if it costs you some extra $$$ you may be ahead on the cool factor Oo.

 

[10-G]

Thanks for the info. It has been very helpful.



I have had auto coverage with State Farm for 17 years. The only other claim was due to the big April hail storm. I brought up the fact that I have been a long time customer. This seemed to bring moody disinterest from the agent and claims people.



Their estimate was low all the way around. The labor hours were quoted at 1. 4 for a whopping $50. 40. That is for pulling bumper,trim and mounts and then replacing the bumper. After the $500. deductible I'm left with $7. 00.



I believe that State Farm knows exactly what kind of bumpers they are giving their customers. You would never be able to tell what condition the metal is on these bumpers unless you saw the bumper before they start the process. They are re-chromed. The warranty is for corrosion resistance, fit and finish. There is nothing in the warranty about strength or performance in a collision.



I talked to my Agent today and she is going to sit on the sideline in this one. She suggested that I drive down to the bumper place and handpick a bumper for them to remanufacture. It is an hour each way in traffic and located in a notorious area. Anybody wanna ride shotgun.







I have a call in to the claims center. I will try to talk to the section manager and write some letters tomorrow.

 

[dseabaugh]

My truck got hit 3 times year before last. Only one time did we know who did it so my insurance (state Farm) paid for the repairs. I told each estimating body shop that I flat out refuse to accept any aftermarket parts. The truck was genuine Chrysler when it was damaged and it WILL be genuine chrysler parts when repaired!. When I got it back it had the chrysler emblems on the headlights, signal lights, etc. I gave absolutly no room for anything else. I told them if I wanted an afteremarket piece of crap I would have bought a truck with a salvage title that the paint peals and rusts out everywhere and that the light lens's turn too yellow to see through. I didn't buy that I bought an all original undamaged genuine dodge truck and that is what I intended to have when they were do. An insurance company enters into a contract with you to indemnify you for your loss. They insured origninal parts, they must replace original parts or they are not meeting their contractual agreement. . End of subject! My daughted is an insurance claims litigater and just hates people like me.

 

[Philip]

State Farm Insurance Problems

Been there and had problems with them. I dropped them about a decade or so ago. The problem that did them in was they "Lost" two of my vehicles for a total of 6 months. Their books did not list them as being covered or even owned by me. These were lost at the corp level. I was not refunded any money for the times they were not covered. Even tho the dues had been payed up. I found out when the state of Indiana sent me a notice saying my registration was canceled on the vehicles. Due to no insurance.



It was time to run out and find a better company.

 

[merryman]

Oxymoron; Strong oem bumper--

I have had State Farm since 1971; no bad experience yet.



Vaughm

 

[catoiler]

Let them put that junk bumper on and just keep going back and complaining. The chrome is rippled,it has a hump in it,it don't fit right. on and on get the point? they will get so sick of you and they will gladly put the oem bumper on just to shut you up!

 

[10-G]

They finally smartened up. They are paying for a new bumper.



I wonder how many State farm customers are driving around with salvage bumpers covered with pretty chrome.

 

[smartineau]

glad to hear you got an OEM bumper.



If your agent sat on the sideline, and did not help you, find a new agent and very likely a new insurance company.





steve

 

[10-G]

Steve I'm on it.



Affirmative on the new insurance company. We will be able to get USAA thru the wifey. USAA is going to do a roof inspection after the holidays. They require one for a new homeowners policy.



I have heard Progressive is pretty good for settling claims.



Merry Christmas

 

[WDaniels]

10G,

Stay away from Progressive. They are a rip off company. I left Allstate for them due to my premiums were to high. After I had progressive for about 1 year my insurance jumped to 199. 50 per month. I have no tickets and no claims or wrecks on my insurance. When questioned about this all they would say was that they readjusted the premium's in Alaska and that is what they would be. They didn't even notify me of the increase.

 

[Scot]

WDaniels: If you think Progressive's rates are bad, wait till you have to make a claim. Apparently their MO is to pay quite a bit less than what the vehicle is worth if they total it. They tried to pay me about 75% of what my truck was worth when their customer crushed it. I was able to get my insurance company (USAA) to subrogate it fairly.



A friend of my wife had her vehicle totalled by a Progressive customer and they did the same thing to her.



AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE!