Boots
Well-known member
[video=youtube;sOboCgIhcfk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOboCgIhcfk[/video]
Tow Truckers
- Thread starter Boots
- Start date
Riceburner
Well-known member
Nothing new. Been going on for decades.
It seemed to me that insurance companies might be cutting deals with bodyshops as well.
Years ago, I took my car in for an estimate to a couple of places, and found that the lower priced shop, wasn't on the insurance company's approved list, so they'd have to send out an appraiser, and it would take a couple of days to do that. So I went with the "approved" place.
I wish I hadn't, since they charged more and took longer to replace parts for the cosmetic damage, than the other place would have charged to straighten the bumper, pop the metal, refinish the plastic and paint. It would have been lucrative if the body shop had had a deal with the rental company next door, as it took three times longer than the estimate, for the replacement to be completed.
Years ago, I took my car in for an estimate to a couple of places, and found that the lower priced shop, wasn't on the insurance company's approved list, so they'd have to send out an appraiser, and it would take a couple of days to do that. So I went with the "approved" place.
I wish I hadn't, since they charged more and took longer to replace parts for the cosmetic damage, than the other place would have charged to straighten the bumper, pop the metal, refinish the plastic and paint. It would have been lucrative if the body shop had had a deal with the rental company next door, as it took three times longer than the estimate, for the replacement to be completed.
Riceburner
Well-known member
of course they do. If you were to fix/pay it yourself, you wouldn't pay nearly as much as the ins. co. does. The shops charge full pop and as much as possible.
I always asked the dealership where there approved bodyshops are, and where they would send the cars, etc. I keep those written down next to the insurance card so when CAA shows up to tow the car (if something happens) there's a list of 2 options. Insurance be damned, I'm paying for the service and my car will get repaired where I want it to. I've had no issues when I explained to my insurer "i'm taking the car that's been recommended by this approved dealership". It might take an extra week as they still fax (fax!?!) the paperwork over, but no issues really.
That is probably the best way to go. If it is at your home then you have a chance to make some phone calls, research the internet etc. The old adage still holds up: "act in hate; repent at leisure".
My car died in the driveway so I called a tow service to take it to the garage of my choice at their leisure. It was about $100.00.
There have also been a few cases of officers getting busted for sending collision cars to certain body shops, in exchange for "favors". But that is pretty closely monitored by supervisors now.
I also drove tow truck in the 80's part time and even then it common place for body shops to offer you $50 - $100 for any cars you "scooped" for them. Funny once I said my "day job" was a cop that the offer was withdrawn..lmao
I also drove tow truck in the 80's part time and even then it common place for body shops to offer you $50 - $100 for any cars you "scooped" for them. Funny once I said my "day job" was a cop that the offer was withdrawn..lmao
The Ottawa part of the video mentioned the 100 meter bylaw. I assume Toryonto doesn't have the same bylaw.
Some of the numbers for storage are insane. One would think there is some protection but it would seem not.
By law, if you accept a service without asking the price can you get stuck with a massive beyond explanation charge.
If you ask someone to cut your lawn without discussing price, expecting it to be $20, 30, 40 bucks and they hand you a bill for a grand is there recourse?
I may be wrong but I thought there was some deal where you had to give equal buyers equal prices. You couldn't charge one retail customer more or less than another.
Some of the numbers for storage are insane. One would think there is some protection but it would seem not.
By law, if you accept a service without asking the price can you get stuck with a massive beyond explanation charge.
If you ask someone to cut your lawn without discussing price, expecting it to be $20, 30, 40 bucks and they hand you a bill for a grand is there recourse?
I may be wrong but I thought there was some deal where you had to give equal buyers equal prices. You couldn't charge one retail customer more or less than another.
GateKeeper
Well-known member
Mississauga has a 200 meter By-Law
http://www7.mississauga.ca/documents/bylaws/Tow_Truck_Licensing_.pdf
One slight caveat is that insurance companies will often warranty the repair for life if performed at an approved repair shop, while if you take it to your preferred, that is NOT an approved shop for said company means, if you have a disagreement about the repair (paint isn't perfectly matched, panels not lining up well, hidden damage that was not identified initially, etc), you're on your own. While, the insurance company will force their approved shops to do the work. While your mileage may vary, I would suggest that if you go to a non-approved repair shop, make sure it is one you trust and is a reputable shop (not likely to go out of business and reopen under a new name next year).
I hate to burst your bubble, but what that tends to mean is that you have to fight with your insurance company to get it repaired again. I had an approved company remove a functioning battery and replace it with a dead one. After many frustrating calls, guess who went out and bought a new battery? It wasn't the shop, and it wasn't the insurance company.
Good advice in going to a reputable shop that you can trust.
Interesting, would you mind naming said insurance company?
I have done it both ways, approved and non-approved. In either case I was well taken care of. In the case of the approved, the insurance company even covered for a rental car when I brought the car back for a panel I didn't think was aligned well enough.
I have done it both ways, approved and non-approved. In either case I was well taken care of. In the case of the approved, the insurance company even covered for a rental car when I brought the car back for a panel I didn't think was aligned well enough.
I checked it out - that's pretty hilarious, it's either a logical sounding 1 or an absolute glowing 5 star review. Random sampling showed virtually every 5 either had a) one review history, or b) tons of 5's given out all over the place.
Thanks for the heads-up.
