Insurance claim question

[Woody]

Has anyone had luck getting custom parts installed in replacement for a auto collision claim.

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[Given To Fly]

Yes, but usually there's a limit unless you have extra coverage.

 

[Woody]

Copy that. My stangs front end got a tire kicked up into it and I am going to need to replace the front hood and front facia. Was hoping to get some custom stuff instead of OEM but I'm not sure if insurance allows that. I don't have extra coverage....... That I know of.

 

[stoli]

Often your insurance company will cut you a check for an agreed amount and its up to you what you do with it. Other times they will deal directly with the repair shop and you'll have to work with them for any non standard parts.

 

[Jay-rod427]

Take the check for the claim, then pay out of pocket for any above and beyond costs of upgrades

 

[awmustang]

Yes, but usually there's a limit unless you have extra coverage.

I think you are referencing if you have custom parts already installed and they get damaged. But I think the OP had a stock car that was damaged and wants to take the opportunity to have the insurance company buy him custom parts.

Several years ago my BF slid into a ditch in winter and the exhaust (among many other things) was damaged. The shop put a magna flow system on and it was actually cheaper than OEM.

 

[Martman GT]

It's very likely that you could get custom parts because they are usually much cheaper than factory parts. Take for example the 20" Foundry wheels. I got a full set of 20x8.5 F and 20x10 R SVE series 3 wheels, lugs, and center caps for what ford wants for just one factory wheel. Sounds like it's worth a shot.

 

[Beanpole]

I'm pretty sure all the prices come out of a book. If your insurance is to pay for a hood and fascia they'd pay the book item cost plus the book cost to remove old, install new and paint. Your insurance is then out of the picture and your free to negotiate with your collision shop to install what ever you want. If your at a Ford collision shop, or maybe your insurance area preferred one maybe they'd be less willing. The couple times I've needed a collision shop I went to a locally owned one with a good reputation and they'd do what ever I wanted.

 

[ScottsGT]

Sometimes, but it is bordering on insurance fraud. Ex: Stock hood is something like $2500. A/M hood is less or around $1000 shipped. Putting the extra cash in you pocket can be considered fraud since the Ins. company is only paying to fix the car. Discuss closely with adjuster and read your policy carefully first.
Some states will only allow Ford parts to be put back on cars by insurance companies too. Not saying it cannot be done, just be up front and honest about it. Ins. company might come out ahead by paying less for A/M. Also check with your bodyshop. We all know that A/M parts always require a little massaging to make fit and usually a lot of block sanding to make flat. Shop's going to need extra time to make parts look good.

As Beanpole mentiond above, if you have a credit card, buy all the parts and negotiate with the bodyshop and pay them directly. Once car is fixed, take it to the bank that financed it and have them OK the repairs and sign the ins. check and deposit it. Just make sure they made the check to you and the finance company. I know for a fact my Credit Union guy would have no idea if I had Ford fenders/hood or aftermarket shelby types.

 

[Woody]

Talked to the adjuster today. He basically said its not a problem. I just have to pay the difference if there is any.

 

[Woody]

Honestly not even sure if I want to. I like the stock stuff. The Cervini hood is awesome but takes away from the classic look a little. Unless someone has some pictures of theirs that will convince me otherwise.

 

[ScottsGT]

That's not fraud.

That for investigators and prosecutors to make that call. Not internet legal commandos. It's why I said to be open with ins company.

 

[stoli]

That for investigators and prosecutors to make that call. Not internet legal commandos. It's why I said to be open with ins company.

More important than the insurance company is the loan company if the car is financed. Your loan agreement may state you have to repair to oem specs. IF you own it outright, you can do what you wish with the money. It's no different than if it's totalled; you're not obligated to get the same car again.

 

[Nathank]

I work at State Farm and insurance laws and guidelines differ by state and company. However, in LA and with State Farm if you use a select service provider State Farm sends the money directly to them. If you use a repair shop that isn't a select service then State Farm will cut you the check minus your deductible. What you do with the money is up to you.

If you total your vehicle the insurance company gives you a check minus the deductible for the value of the vehicle. They don't pull up in a new vehicle and hand you the keys. That same principle applies to minor claims; they give you the money to repair it based on the market value of OEM parts and labor, but they don't give you parts. So, ultimately what you do with the money is your prerogative. The point of insurance is to indemnify.

I also saw something in a post above about the finance company and their rules. I can't make a blanket statement and say it applies to EVERY situation, but generally (unless it's a shady dealer and a shady bank) they can't tell you what to do with the vehicle. If the finance company (not state or insurance company) can tell you what parts need to be on the vehicle then they would also be able to tell you that you can't mod. The vehicle is yours to do with as you please if it's registered to you; it's not the bank that gets a flag on their license for not having insurance. Unless of course it's a lease, in that case you don't own the vehicle and their rules/guidelines may be different.

 

[jwats15]

i just went thru this. my ins company required Ford OEM parts, new only, or Ford quality authorized parts. basically the roush and steeda, RTR offerings were fair game but more extreme custom stuff was not deemed up to standards and they wouldnt allow me to use them. for the parts i did swap out, the repair shop has a chart of prices and time it takes to install the oem part. if the part u want is more then factory original ins paid the original replacement price and anything over that i was paying out of pocket. i had a few things changed but in the end most of it was replacing base GT items with Premium PP items. still price differences; and that cost was on me.

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