Car Struck by a Plow, Need a Little Advice

[Prosperity]

A few years ago my truck got hit by an 18 wheeler in a parking lot. The truck was backing up and ran right into the rear quarter panel and kept backing up pushing my truck along with it. The driver had no idea he'd even hit anything :doh:

So after running out and yelling at him to stop, he finally sees. The trucking company was ESTES and they told me something similar... to get 2 estimates and they would write me a check for the lower of the two.

I said fine, whatever- went to the Ford Dealer, got one estimate, and told Estes to write me a check or I'd be happy to get the insurance company involved . They wrote me a check.

Bottom line- your apartment complex is just trying to do what's right from their end. But trust me- make a fuss and they'll back down.

Now is the time to put away the nice guy hat for a few minutes, meet with the property manager, and tell them how things are going to be. Trust me- he/she is not going to press the issue.

Get your car fixed where you want it fixed. And don't spend hours chasing your tail to make their lives easier. They're the ones who hit your car. By writing you a check for the damage, they're getting off easy. This needs to be your position, and you need to make it known. That' YOU are getting the shaft by them writing you a check even with one estimate, much less 3. What they SHOULD do is write you a check for the damage, get you a rental car, buy your meals when you drive out to the dealer to get the estimate, and pay you for your time.

So, make that your opening when you speak to the property manager. "Settle" for just getting a check for the one estimate so she feels like she won

.......

If I were in your place, knowing what you know now, I would have gotten several estimates, picked the highest to show and get a check written out for that.

[zoony]

If I were in your place, knowing what you know now, I would have gotten several estimates, picked the highest to show and get a check written out for that.

I just wanted my car fixed back to factory spec with Ford parts by a reputable dealer. I wasn't interested in trying to make money

[TheGreatBuzz]

If I were in your place, knowing what you know now, I would have gotten several estimates, picked the highest to show and get a check written out for that.

And that attitude is why you always have to watch your a** in todays society. So they hit you. They are willing to fix it for you. Maybe it is a little inconvienent for you but that's LIFE! Of course, in todays society, I'm surprised no one has suggested you sue for thousands of dollars for "mental anguish" or some crap.

Whatever they do, I hope they make the check out to the SHOP instead to the person. Makes it harder to work the system.

[Prosperity]

And that attitude is why you always have to watch your a** in todays society. So they hit you. They are willing to fix it for you. Maybe it is a little inconvienent for you but that's LIFE! Of course, in todays society, I'm surprised no one has suggested you sue for thousands of dollars for "mental anguish" or some crap.

Whatever they do, I hope they make the check out to the SHOP instead to the person. Makes it harder to work the system.

Ehh I see your point on the other hand, I don't see the problem in making someone pay a little bit extra for inconveniencing you. They're a business, their motive is making money. I would have a much different attitude if the offender was a human. But, that may also be an inconsistency in my ethical system.

though, I've also been screwed over by my rental homes property owner/management that I wouldn't mind screwing them over given the chance. If my management were different I may feel differently.

[TheGreatBuzz]

Ehh I see your point on the other hand, I don't see the problem in making someone pay a little bit extra for inconveniencing you. Their a business, they're motive is making money. I would have a much different attitude if the offender was a human. But, that may also be an inconsistency in my ethical system.

though, I've also been screwed over by my rental homes property owner/management that I wouldn't mind screwing them over given the chance. If my management were different I may feel differently.

I would say if his complex was crappy and always screwing him, then use this as a time to get retribution...but other then that I can only say I'm reminded of a saying....went something like....

DO UNTO OTHERS....

[Prosperity]

I would say if his complex was crappy and always screwing him, then use this as a time to get retribution...but other then that I can only say I'm reminded of a saying....went something like....

DO UNTO OTHERS....

yeah that's what I should have said

[TMK9973]

Everyone jumping....

Geez - The Apt complex said they would pay for it, left you a note, and asked you to get three estimates.

Go to them and say "Getting three estimates is a REAL pain in the butt. I'm going to just take it to the dealer and expect you to pay that. Also a rental for while I'm getting it fixed"

I bet they say "Ok"

[goodolboy]

Hey, I'm an auto insurance claims adjuster and just sent you a message... check it out. Privacy laws mean I can't discuss a specific situation on the board, but here is how the hypothetical situation would play out...

The apartment complex owes REASONABLE costs to restore your vehicle to pre-loss condition. Thats why they want three quotes, so they can take the average. They're actually barred by law from taking the lowest bidder just for the fact that they're cheap. You do, however, have the right to take your vehicle anywhere you would like for repairs (the insurance company just may not owe the whole bill if they can prove its excessive). ALWAYS tell your insurance company. We make sure everything goes smoothly and nobody gets screwed. You pay for our services, let us do our job and fight for you. A parked/unoccupied vehicle hit wont hit your rates.

Oh, and DButz65, what branch?

[herrmag]

Your complex let YOU know that someone they hired screwed up. Do the right thing. Do what they asked. They never had to inform you.

[dfitzo53]

Or, the plow operator was an employee of the complex and not an independent contractor

Bingo. They have a few maintenance trucks and popped plows on the front of them.

I would say if his complex was crappy and always screwing him, then use this as a time to get retribution...but other then that I can only say I'm reminded of a saying....went something like....

DO UNTO OTHERS....

I'm not out to make a fast buck, and I don't want retribution. The complex is generally pretty good.

There are a couple reasons I'm hesitant about the three estimates and just getting a check. One, it's just a waste of my time. I'm not the guy who screwed up here. Even if they pay the entire bill, it's a frustrating process.

Two, it would probably end up meaning either taking the car to a place I've never used before, or paying part of the bill out of pocket. If they screw something up or the work is terrible, then what? It seems to me that with my insurance company I have some recourse if something goes wrong (and I have someone working on my behalf who knows exactly what I should and shouldn't expect from the complex.)

As far as whoever made the post slamming insurance companies, my insurance is USAA and they've been nothing but good to me.

Anyway, I appreciate all the advice. I don't have much experience with all this, which is why I asked.

[TheGreatBuzz]

Bingo. They have a few maintenance trucks and popped plows on the front of them.

I'm not out to make a fast buck, and I don't want retribution. The complex is generally pretty good.

There are a couple reasons I'm hesitant about the three estimates and just getting a check. One, it's just a waste of my time. I'm not the guy who screwed up here. Even if they pay the entire bill, it's a frustrating process.

Two, it would probably end up meaning either taking the car to a place I've never used before, or paying part of the bill out of pocket. If they screw something up or the work is terrible, then what? It seems to me that with my insurance company I have some recourse if something goes wrong (and I have someone working on my behalf who knows exactly what I should and shouldn't expect from the complex.)

As far as whoever made the post slamming insurance companies, my insurance is USAA and they've been nothing but good to me.

Anyway, I appreciate all the advice. I don't have much experience with all this, which is why I asked.

I have USAA also and am very happy with them. I think it is a personel choice about if you want to tell your insurance company or not but I wouldn't fault you for it. I agree that it is frustrating but it's life. And if that is the biggest problem in your life (not saying it is) then thank your lucky stars. I would talk to some people around the area and find out what is the best body shop around. Take it there. Then get two other estimates. They should still be close even if they don't have the best quality of work. Tell the complex that you want to take it to the one with the best reputation. As long as it isn't drastically more expensive, I'm sure they will approve it.

[MikeInJc aka M.I.A.]

Your complex let YOU know that someone they hired screwed up. Do the right thing. Do what they asked. They never had to inform you.

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a while. I'm speechless on the whole "they never had to inform you".

There's other things that play into this. If it were me I would have to take time off work to get the requested "three estimates", so if they wanted me to play that game then they better be paying me for having to take a personal day of leave. Even though I have leave saved up, it is not supposed to be spent taking care of someone elses **** up!