Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: bustednutz
Before you make that switch just remember one thing. State Farm only uses OEM replacement collision parts. Bumpers, fenders, doors, headlamps, etc...
Geico uses as much "aftermarket" repair parts as possible. As a manager at a collision center that uses Geico for a large chunk of our business, I feel its only fair to warn you.
All the aftermarket crash panels are made in Taiwan, and rarely ever live up to OEM quality. They are very difficult to fit properly. I joke that we are sometimes building Chinese vehicles. Trust me, we HATE having to do that and its a constant battle with them to use quality parts.
Bring in a German Audi, drive out in a chinese Audi. Bring in an American Ford, drive out in a chinese Ford.
Just some food for thought. You may never ever have an accident. But that one time you do, you may wish you have stayed with State Farm.
Plus using genuine OEM parts maks the job go faster and its a better quality fit and finish.
But I truly understand the temptation to go with what suits your wallet. As I do the same.
+1. You truly do get what you pay for with these discount insurers. I would stay with State Farm.
Doesnt one have a say in terms of what shop is used, and what parts are used? I thought that the person getting repairs done had a lot of say.
If I were hit by someone who has geico (and was at fault), would they only give me aftermarket junk, even if I were insured by State Farm?
Fortunately Ive never had to go through this to know...
YES, you do have a say in what parts go on your vehicle and where you can have it fixed. Don't any of you ever forget that. Its YOUR car. You do have rights, and never let them "steer" you to a shop that they prefer. Thats illegal and they shouldn't be doing that.
The majority of people think that insurance companies will take good care of you (you're in good hands). So the majority of people never think about it till they get into a wreck. Or they pick up their vehicle and something just doesn't fit quite right. Only to find out that parts from Taiwan or a junkyard were used in the repair.
Before the market collapse a few years ago the insurance companies were raking in hundreds of billions in profits. Now they are only making tens of billions. They've tightened their belts and the collision industries belts in the process. They are working harder then ever to put on a super glossy appearance, yet behind the scenes are working equally as hard at bending over the consumer and the repairer. Trust me when I tell you its a very bitter battle between the two. They are going so far as to tell the repair shop where they can and cannot buy parts from because they may have a special deal with a vendor 100 miles away. Yet your local Ford or GM dealer may have them in stock, and not be a vendor that sold their soul to the Ins. company. Its truly becoming absurd.
