Accident claim....

[Perfectlap]

This shop doesn't do those sort of bondo chop shop repairs, it's not a "volume" type shop either. The owner was formerly in charge of body work for a nearby Porsche dealership and the recommendation came from a well-regarded Porsche expert. I had color-matching concerns so I wanted to make sure I was dealing with someone who had a great deal of experience on these cars.
I think the issue here is that like repairing the car through an independent vs a dealer, the costs for bodywork can vary in an extreme way for the same outcome. I don't want to pay the dealer rate if the cost/benefit doesn't justify it.

I hear you on the corrosion protection but our enthusiast cars tend to be meticulously waxed/maintaned and stored in garages. So I'm not that concerned on that end. These guys deal with a lot of vintage Porsches where long-term durability would definitely be important so I don't doubt the quality of the paint work. I just don't want to get hosed and I'm glad I got the check rather than having the bill sent straight to insurance company.

[schnellman]

It's your money. Get what you want.

[stephen wilson]

The body shop should have told you exactly how the repairs were to be accomplished before work was started. I had my front fender replaced with a moderate amount of damage, because labor is so expensive. But this was all agreed apon as part of the price quote. There is no reason for this to change after work has begun.

[Johnny Danger]

Unless a person simply wants to pocket the cash, it's never a good idea to accept payment directly from an insurance company; particularly when you're not at fault . Rather, it's better to go to the shop of your choice and get a thorough appraisal . If you're satisfied with their assessment, you can sign what's referred to as a "direction of pay". In turn, the other person's insurance company will send an adjuster out to meet with your shop and agree on a price to fix your vehicle. A good shop will handle the whole process for you, and act as your advocate - seeking the maximum amount possible in order to get the job done right . Moreover, if the shop subsequently discovers that additional work or parts are needed, they can request for the adjuster to come back out to reassess the damage and authorize additional payment . This is referred to a "supplemental" . For future reference, whenever an insurance company pays out a claim directly, in their mind they have essentially bought off the claimant . Once a person has accepted payment directly, it's often difficult to get an insurance company to pay out addition money .

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

Unless a person simply wants to pocket the cash, it's never a good idea to accept payment directly from an insurance company; particularly when you're not at fault . Rather, it's better to go to the shop of your choice and get a thorough appraisal . If you're satisfied with their assessment, you can sign what's referred to as a "direction of pay". In turn, the other person's insurance company will send an adjuster out to meet with your shop and agree on a price to fix your vehicle. A good shop will handle the whole process for you, and act as your advocate - seeking the maximum amount possible in order to get the job done right . Moreover, if the shop subsequently discovers that additional work or parts are needed, they can request for the adjuster to come back out to authorize additional payment . This is referred to a "supplemental" . For future reference, whenever an insurance company pays out a claim directly, in their mind they have essentially bought off the claimant . Once a person has accepted payment directly, it's often difficult to get an insurance company to pay out addition money .

Correct, I received the insurance company's appraisal with an itemized list of parts and labor submitted by the bodyshop and in a seperate envelope was the check for the same amount declaring it the settlement of the claim. This discussion reminds me of why medicare costs are out of control. Pay out a benefit directly to a benefeciary and closer scrutiny of the bill will always result.

[stephen wilson]

What did the shop tell initially you they were going to do, repair, or replace with new parts?

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

What did the shop tell initially you they were going to do, repair, or replace with new parts?

initially nothing was done because we were waiting for the insurance company to determine what they would pay for, new or repaired. So it's basically been sitting put. Once I received the check I called in to get clarification of what was to be done, that's where I am now. I've not signed a single thing so far.

[stephen wilson]

Without pictures, I can't judge whether to repair or replace, but it sounds like the body shop may be trying to maximize their profit.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

This shop doesn't do those sort of bondo chop shop repairs, it's not a "volume" type shop either. The owner was formerly in charge of body work for a nearby Porsche dealership and the recommendation came from a well-regarded Porsche expert. I had color-matching concerns so I wanted to make sure I was dealing with someone who had a great deal of experience on these cars.
I think the issue here is that like repairing the car through an independent vs a dealer, the costs for bodywork can vary in an extreme way for the same outcome. I don't want to pay the dealer rate if the cost/benefit doesn't justify it.

I hear you on the corrosion protection but our enthusiast cars tend to be meticulously waxed/maintaned and stored in garages. So I'm not that concerned on that end. These guys deal with a lot of vintage Porsches where long-term durability would definitely be important so I don't doubt the quality of the paint work. I just don't want to get hosed and I'm glad I got the check rather than having the bill sent straight to insurance company.

Few, if any Porsche dealerships have a body shop.

But, you don't have a garage.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Flavor 987S

Few, if any Porsche dealerships have a body shop.

But, you don't have a garage.

The dealership (also does four other luxury brands) doens't have a body shop but they have a long-standing realtionship with an shop that does all of their work. I visited this myself after talking to a service manager at the dealership. One location was to fix and prep the cars and another location nearby was where the painting was actually done. Very high end cars like Maybach and Aston Martin. I asked for a quote for some minor damage on that day, non-insurance related, and the quote was about 7x's the average I received from all others.

I don't follow your second point.

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I don't follow your second point.

IIRC, PL, you don't park your Boxster in a garage at your condo? Maybe I'm wrong. Regarding Blue's tip about zinc coating and rust protection.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by Flavor 987S

IIRC, PL, you don't park your Boxster in a garage at your condo? Maybe I'm wrong. Regarding Blue's tip about zinc coating and rust protection.

yep, first floor of my condo is the garage where the Boxster sits out of the elements and its not a daily driver.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I hear you on the corrosion protection but our enthusiast cars tend to be meticulously waxed/maintaned and stored in garages. So I'm not that concerned on that end. These guys deal with a lot of vintage Porsches where long-term durability would definitely be important so I don't doubt the quality of the paint work. I just don't want to get hosed and I'm glad I got the check rather than having the bill sent straight to insurance company.

A factory galvanized body is plated after forming. The corners, edges of the panels, bolt holes and the parts that are covered and mate with other parts are all protected, even if the paint rubs off. Take a look at how the body panels are atached to the car and each other. These are the places where water sits and rust starts, not the exposed flat surfaces that get waxed all the time.