Insurance Companies...

I hate Progressive... I got rear-ended back in late Feb. The car was fixed under a No Ins. claim, since it was a hit & run. It cost $2500 to replace the bumper cover, support, and smooth out one rear quarter that buckled, but didn't crease.('96 Monte, BTW). When I picked up the car, I had to pay $200 for the deductible. I figured $2500 was plenty enough to cover, BUT.So I paid the man and was on my happy way. It's now Aug. and the paint is literally falling off the bumper. Trim is also falling off, as well as the "monte carlo" emblem on the side of the car, even though it looked as if a child applied it in the first place. There's dirt EVERYWHERE under the paint. The clear is cracking.. Horrible work. Well, I called progressive and explained what was happening(I got a satifaction warranty). They told the place that fixed it to come get the car and order a factory GM bumper cover. Now, the ins. adjuster comes to the shop(which is 60 miles away from me) and says it's gravel damage and he isn't going to have it fixed. I'm polite when I pick up my car from the body shop, although I wanted to blow a fucking gasket right there. So i call the adjusters superior. He looks over the photos and says, " The front of the vehicle(hood) has extensive damage from rocks, so you must be driving down gravel and that's why we aren't fixing it. I laugh for a bit, then explain that front damage is caused by rocks, bugs and other debris from the HIGHWAY. I get no help from him, so I call his superior. He explains, after looking at the same photos(only one picture of MANY spots on the bumper) that it appears I've HIGH-CENTERED my beloved monte and he also won't fix it. HIGH CENTERED my BABY!! What jack-asses. So , I've been literally driving around and hitting random body shops in NE AR, and every one of them said "bad paint, bad primer, bad bumper cover, bad workmanship." So, I guess the only thing to do now is give my legal representative the go ahead. I better find another ins. company since I know they'll drop me after they have to fix my shit again. Fuck Progressive, I'm calling Allstate. Also, don't I have a choice on where my vehicle is going to be repaired? I just came home one day after the accident(in Feb.) and my baby was being loaded on a flatbed and I had no idea what was going on or where it was going. I wanted a damn good shop only 20 miles away to do it(It IS on Progressive's List), but instead I get these jackasses that do $800 worth of work for $2500, and I get a sore ass! GOD!!! PLUS, after the shop took my car the first time, I was given a worthless POS '95 Ford Contour. A day later the alternator went out, brakes went and the wheel fell off the car...OFF the fucking car!! Imma sue these assholes, but I don't want money, just my baby back to normal. I asked the owner of the shop how paint could stay on a car that was previously taken down MANY miles of gravel before I purchased it(exhaust pipe was beat shut from rocks..) AND get hit by a car, and the paint on the rear still looked beautiful aside from needing buffed out, but their paint didn't stay on 6 months. He was like" well, I haven't been here the past few days, so I don't know whats going on with your car>" I said "you didn't have to be here, I just asked a fucking question about paint, why are you dodging my questions?" .....No answer. But wait, before I pick up my car, my ins. adjuster pulls up in his little fag progressive explorer, sees me, turns around in the lot and leaves. OOOOOh, that pussy. My fingers hurt now. COMMENTS WELCOME!!

That totally sucks. They are mishandling your claim.

In your situation, I'd go to the body shops and get, in writing, their opinion that the problem is a result of bad work as well as an estimate of how much it will cost to repair. You might even go back to the original body shop that did the work and get their opinion - they might not remember you, and might offer to do the repair for free (as they should).

Once you have a couple opinions/estimates, show the bastards at Progressive. Talk to the supervisor. Ask him if he's worked in a body shop (probably not). If he has, tell him he needs to see the vehicle in person as the pictures don't show the condition accurately. If he won't, then bump it up to his boss. Keep making noise, show your evidence and eventually they should fix it. Also, keep track of your expenses to do this (unnecessary) proof, and submit that to them as well. Make sure that you put everything in writing so you'll have paper to show if/when it goes to court.

If that doesn't work (or, if you're just sick of the whole thing) then getting a lawyer will just cost you money, since the whole thing will probably end up in arbitration (check your policy)


Anyway, it sucks and they should back up the shop. I don't know about the laws in your state, but here in VA you DO have the choice of where the work is done.

Sounds like we think alike. I've been getting written opinions and estimates, as well as a lot of help on how to fix it myself, IF I choose to be quiet about the whole thing, which I will not do. The supervisor's supervisor I spoke to Tue. was a jackass, and the only paint he knew was what was on his office walls..Not one person who's looked at my car was a body man.. I also told him to send another estimator out who knows that adhesion promotor isn't the glue used on toupe`s. I've also got proof that the replacement bumper cover was NOT a factory GM, but a non-CAPA certified part, according to GM, but the website where it was purchased says it is. If I were in the wrong, I'd just shut up, but no one gets away with screwing me that bad. I have been keeping track of expenses, such as gas to drive out of my way, tow fee's, etc. I think I'll update this post thru this whole ordeal..

To avoid this problem in the future, get a check for X amount of dollars form the Ins. Co. ( if you can) and take the money to a shop that you know and trust. My dad did this each of the times he hit a deer.

I was planning on doing that, but they didn't give me that option. They just showed up with a P.O.S. contour and hauled my car off. I had to ask the driver where he was going..