rear-ended in my 124 - insurance paid $675

[dgreenhouse]

I was lightly rear-ended in my 124 while slowing down for a yield. there was slight damage to my bumper, a few cracks in the hard plastic. The driver who hit me is insured by Geico, and they agreed it was her fault and would pay for the damage. Geico inspected it and gave me a check for $675, which is how much their geico-autobody shop would charge to remove and replace my bumper with a used and repainted one if I chose to have them do it. They told me that if I chose to get it fixed at a different shop then I could ask for more "supplemental" money from them and they would talk to the shop and give it to me if it was warranted.


how much would it really cost to replace the rear bumper on my 93 300D?

[TheDon]

how about this


can you live with the cracks?
I would if they were not that massive and then walk away $675 richer

[Pete Geither]

The cover and moulding as original pieces would run you right around $1000. That is painted and installed.

[TylerH860]

Yes, I would insist on brand new parts.

[dieseldiehard]

Originally Posted by dgreenhouse

I was lightly rear-ended in my 124 while slowing down for a yield. there was slight damage to my bumper, a few cracks in the hard plastic. The driver who hit me is insured by Geico, and they agreed it was her fault and would pay for the damage. Geico inspected it and gave me a check for $675, which is how much their geico-autobody shop would charge to remove and replace my bumper with a used and repainted one if I chose to have them do it. They told me that if I chose to get it fixed at a different shop then I could ask for more "supplemental" money from them and they would talk to the shop and give it to me if it was warranted.


how much would it really cost to replace the rear bumper on my 93 300D?

You should have got an estimate from a shop or two if necessary and had them in hand when Geico showed up to look at the damage. They usually try to low-ball the customer (hey my father was an insurance adjuster and resented being called a chisler) thats part of their rewards from management, to save the company money.
Oh, try to find a used impact strip that has no blemishes! Is yours a painted two tone bumper popular in late 124's? if so then the job would easily run $1000

It good that they will bend their estimates, as the agent told you they would come up with supplementary money.
Now I doubt Allstate would have offered that. They would drop you after two claims regardless of whether you were at fault (like rear end collisions and all in their mind must be your fault because you must be a slow, erratic driver!).


DDH

[cdplayer]

Originally Posted by dgreenhouse

I was lightly rear-ended in my 124 while slowing down for a yield. there was slight damage to my bumper, a few cracks in the hard plastic. The driver who hit me is insured by Geico, and they agreed it was her fault and would pay for the damage. Geico inspected it and gave me a check for $675, which is how much their geico-autobody shop would charge to remove and replace my bumper with a used and repainted one if I chose to have them do it. They told me that if I chose to get it fixed at a different shop then I could ask for more "supplemental" money from them and they would talk to the shop and give it to me if it was warranted.


how much would it really cost to replace the rear bumper on my 93 300D?

This is how Geico operates. They take your money no problem. But when it comes to getting a professional repair, they opt to have their own nit wits do the job. I found out the hard way when having a dent removed from my Jeep's hood.
I took it to their choice of repair shop. They dent was removed. The silver metalic paint was matched up pretty good. But some yahoo shot a good dose of overspray from an ajoining stall all over the Jeep. I had to have the Jeep repainted. All of it. Who needs this kind of added pain.

Then when I too was lightly rear ended, Geico wanted me to go to the same shop. I refused. I took it to a shop on the other side of town that specialized in Mercedes repair. I had used this shop on a different occasion with my first Benz. Perfect. And professional. No added pain.

Until...

Geico called and said they would only cover what their "book" said. I had to come up with the additional funds. After a couple of heated discussions over the phone with Geico, I opted to remove my business and go with another.
Just on principle alone.

[dgreenhouse]

yeah, I agree with all of you.
I think I may live with the cracks in the bumper for now, but it would definitely cost more than 675 for a proper repair at a trustworthy shop...