Benefits to dealership body shop?

Osirus · May 18, 2020

My '18 suffered bad hail damage. Hood, roof, and front quarter panels need replaced. PDR on everything else. Total payout from insurance is $11k.

I need to choose a body shop and am curious what I should look for. The Chevrolet dealership here has a collision center and I'm wondering about going to them. Particularly, my concern is getting good replacement parts and paint put on. I don't want crappy paint that doesn't match or last like OEM does, and was thinking the dealership shop could get the exact paint color directly. Or will I just end up paying more if I go there?

durandetto · May 18, 2020

Most dealers offer a loaner vehicle comparable to what you normally drive. That would be beneficial considering they're probably going to have your truck for a few weeks or longer. I had some body work done on my 5 year old black truck and the paint matches great, minus the lack of swirls in the clear coat. Your also more likely to get oem replacement parts.

I've also seen my fair share of crappy work done by smaller collision shops. If you don't go dealer definitely do your research. I would also do your research on the dealer. Not all dealers are created equal.

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Jac365 · May 18, 2020

I NEVER take the money from the insurance company. The vehicle in need of repair will go to the shop I CHOOSE. The insurance company can then issue payment to the shop WHEN THE REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. If given a chance to issue a check before hand the insurance company estimates will be in their favor, and in some states when you accept that check YOU will be responsible for any costs for repairs that are over the check amount.

Even if you can recoup the money from the insurance company by filing a supplemental claim, it's still a giant pain in the butt that can be avoided by having the insurance company dealing directly with the shop doing the repairs. JMHO

dieselfan1 · May 18, 2020

3 hours ago, Jac365 said:

I NEVER take the money from the insurance company. The vehicle in need of repair will go to the shop I CHOOSE. The insurance company can then issue payment to the shop WHEN THE REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED. If given a chance to issue a check before hand the insurance company estimates will be in their favor, and in some states when you accept that check YOU will be responsible for any costs for repairs that are over the check amount.

Even if you can recoup the money from the insurance company by filing a supplemental claim, it's still a giant pain in the butt that can be avoided by having the insurance company dealing directly with the shop doing the repairs. JMHO

I ALWAYS take the money from the insurance then deal with it on my own. My wife got ass ended recently. The other drivers insurance sent me a check two days after I got an estimate. $2400. I had the body shop fix the tailgate for $700 and I took care of the bumper myself.

The body shop wanted $450 labor and $650 for the bumper.

I got a bumper off eBay for $440 and hung it myself in an hour and a half.

The remaining went in my pocket. Good as new.

I would also have no problem with a body shop at the dealer.

Edited May 18, 2020 by dieselfan1

tmo · May 20, 2020

I ALWAYS take the money from the insurance then deal with it on my own. My wife got ass ended recently. The other drivers insurance sent me a check two days after I got an estimate. $2400. I had the body shop fix the tailgate for $700 and I took care of the bumper myself.
The body shop wanted $450 labor and $650 for the bumper.
I got a bumper off eBay for $440 and hung it myself in an hour and a half.
The remaining went in my pocket. Good as new.
I would also have no problem with a body shop at the dealer.

This isn’t always great though. Like Jac365 said I also let insurance deal with the shop. My brother wrecked his Tacoma and insurance estimated 7k. When he took it to the shop they found that the junction box under the hood has to be replaced along with quite a bit of electrical and their estimate came out to 13k. If he would have taken the check he would have been SOL. Truck totaled out and he got a 2018 f150.

To OP, I’ve worked with both, and the dealership seemed to be much better. Also the paint that the independent shop pained started to turn blue after a year-ish. I also found they they didn’t replace half of my grill screws or the wheel liner screws. Won’t be recommending for sure.