by ywarke » Thu Apr 16, 2009 01:01 pm
Has anyone used Geico Auto Repair Xpress program? I have Geico and need to get my car fixed from an at-fault accident. When I reported this to Geico, they said that i "qualify" for the Geico Auto Repair Xpress program (as I was in an area that supported it).
I just don't know if this would result in good quality work, because if you use the Geico Auto Repair Xpress program, then you have to take it to a body shop that they want.
Any opinions?
I just don't know if this would result in good quality work, because if you use the Geico Auto Repair Xpress program, then you have to take it to a body shop that they want.
Any opinions?
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 04:16 pm Post Subject: Geico Repair Shops: Great leaping lizzards, Annie!
How do you think they get those little rolled up stack of bills with eyes that save you all that money when you use Geico? They use shops that are required to repair vehicles based on Geico' criteria. That's all about this Geico Auto Repair Xpress program. How do those shops save Geico money? Do they shortcut repairs, work quicker sacrificing quality for speed? I would ask that they show me the agreement that they have with the shop and see if they are giving concessions or discounts or using imitation parts, used suspension parts, etc to be a part of that program.
I'd also look at the language of a private agreement Geico has with the shop to see if they may be giving you less than pre-loss repairs before you begin leaping like a gecko or to see if they are giving you all that your policy of insurance promises. After all, saving money isn't so special IF Possibly you could be sacrificing quality in the repairs. Don't let a shop negotiate a cheap repair for you if you are owed pre-loss condition or let a shop negotiate your rights away owed to you in your contract of insurance. This just isn't applicable to Geico, but applies to any insurer and shop private agreements that you aren't privy to.
Would you let your doctor and insurance provider make all your decisions on any treatment you may need or require? Woudn't you want to be a part of the decision making process? If so, why would you let two private parties make all the decisions on how your property will be restored to pre loss condition without consulting you. These concierge programs that take you out of the loop and keep you uniformed, could be detrimental to the health of your vehicle without your imput as well.
Of course, this is just my professional "in the collision repair business opinion" and may not be same as others, but then I educate and keep my customers informed and in the repair process loop as it is their property and I have no legal right to negotiate on behalf of an owner of a vehicle. I just get paid to fix cars.
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 04:20 pm Post Subject: Geico Auto Repair Xpress
It really always comes down to the shop making the repairs, if GEICO chooses or you choose it's still the same thing. I've worked for carriers before who used preferred shops. When I mentioned this sometimes the people would tell me that they wanted to take it to the local dealer. Well, the local dealer was on the list so there was no difference. While GEICO is going to tend to have reputable repair shops on their list, I'm sure some are better then others. Also, some shops not on the list might be better.
Find which repair shops in your area you'd use and compare this to who is on GEICOs list. You can also find out who is on GEICOs list and see if you'd use them (recommendations from friends, etc).
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 09:42 pm Post Subject:
How do you think they get those little rolled up stack of bills with eyes that save you all that money when you use Geico?
Now that was FUNNY! :lol: Can't say that it's always true... but funny!Would you let your doctor and insurance provider make all your decisions on any treatment you may need or require? Woudn't you want to be a part of the decision making process?
I guess if I valued by car as much as my body, yes. But heck, would you trust a doctor who takes pay offs from the pharmaceutical companies? If not, good luck finding a doctor! What about all the doctors that are part of HMOs and PPOs?Still, the GEICO thing was good. :lol:
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 05:51 am Post Subject: Geico repair shops: Should be the decision of the car owner
What happened? It wasn't that long ago, that we as drivers had rights and the insurance companies are taking it away. Just a few years ago, I could pick the time, place and parts that needed to be repaired. This was good thing and was nice to be able to pick the company i wanted to work on my car, it made things easy. Companies can now tell you where to go, tell you to use a junk yard. What's next? These companies are getting too BIG!
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 07:10 am Post Subject:
I would ask that they show me the agreement that they have with the shop and see if they are giving concessions or discounts or using imitation parts, used suspension parts, etc to be a part of that program.
Mike, just wondering...is it actually possible to ask either GEICO or the bodyshop to show the agreement drawn between them? Are they suppose to comply with my request?
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 07:35 am Post Subject:
Just a few years ago, I could pick the time, place and parts that needed to be repaired. This was good thing and was nice to be able to pick the company i wanted to work on my car, it made things easy.
Really? I think some people would just prefer to take their cars to the insurer's preferred bodyshops since it'd save them the trouble of doing everything by themselves. IMO finding the bodyshop to do the repairs, selecting the parts for repair are time consuming affairs for many. But then again each one of us is different.Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 09:48 am Post Subject:
Hi anonymous 12,
But then again each one of us is different.
That's certainly there..
I think some people would just prefer to take their cars to the insurer's preferred bodyshops since it'd save them the trouble of doing everything by themselves.
I don't think most of them would choose to do that (if there is an opportunity), especially under the current downturn. It might be a time-consuming thing but if you'd save a few bucks with the same kind of parts then it's worth trying for it.
Crossbreed
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:52 pm Post Subject:
I could pick the time, place and parts that needed to be repaired.
You can still do all of this, just like you could in the past.The company I work for does not use prefered repair shops. People ask me all of the time if I can recommend a repair shop.
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 03:20 pm Post Subject:
Mike, just wondering...is it actually possible to ask either GEICO or the bodyshop to show the agreement drawn between them? Are they suppose comply with my request?
Most of the agreements I have read or seen, state that they are proprietary agreements not to be shared with anyone. I've read about 5 or 6 national company agreements. It boils down to pricing, conscessions, and discounts. If work is directed to your door by giving concessions, you may benefit from lack of marketing expenses til someone down the street offers to do the same job cheaper just to get on a program.
Many insurers have successfully used the fact that there are more shops and repairers than there has been work to be performed in the last ten years. A downsizing of the auto collision repair industry is ongoing due to attrition of experienced repairers retiring or just wearing out and no new people entering the skilled field. Insurers currently use steering and control to guide their policyholders and claimants alike to shops that concede to insurers demands. It's a race to the bottom of the barrell in my opinion when outside entities begin making decisions on repairs based on limiting funds and not using manufacturer's guidelines.
Most companies require the shop pay all rental expenses for delays of any kind. Many require the use of aftermarket and used parts in percentages of repairs. Many shops are allowed to only charge capped rates on frame repairs, materials, paint procedures, and other services. On paint material alone, the cost of some 20 to 30 hour refinishing procedures can involve as much as 1200 dollars in supplies and materials when insurers only allow 450.00 to cover these costs; so I'd have to ask what corners are shops cutting or what services are being overlooked to comply with so that they can remain on many programs that require agreements between shops and insurers.
I am not on any programs either by desire or qualification. I did attend a local bodyshop meeting where the biggest complaint of shops on these programs complained of having to comply with these onesided agreements. Many lamented that they have had to use cheaper paints to meet the budget cap on paint. Most are paying for rental expenses when it's beyond their control. The point is that this opens a door to less ethical shops to cutting corners to comply or cost shifting or charging for work not performed all to the detriment of a consumer. Quality repairs shouldn't be based on who can offer the cheapest repairs but on those most qualified to restore your vehicle to pre-loss condition based on manufacturer recommendations and specifications, not insurer criteria. This is why a post repair inspection is important and why former repair experts are helping expose bad and unsafe repairs by poor performing collision repair shops that feel they must cut corners to comply to the agreements they sign.
Companies can now tell you where to go, tell you to use a junk yard. What's next? These companies are getting too BIG!
Think of it as managed care for your car, you realize how well that has worked in the medical field. You still get the compassion and care you always got when you had to stay in the hospital didn't you? Just like the quality of personalized care you no longer recieve while hospitalized, your car is getting the same treatment by some. It's coming, like it or not, simply because insurers have the lobbyists and friends in state legislatures.
The collision industry is giving up control of being the expert in auto collision repair. Zippy from Johnny on the Spot Insurance in their little urban response vehicles have been given all authority and future control of your property with two weeks of expert repair training.
California has a proposal in it's state legislature that simply states that an insurance estimate is just an estimate and not the cost of repairs. They want people to understand that by accepting the insurer estimate of repairs that it is not the repair plan and it could very well be insufficient to restore the owner's vehicle to pre-loss condition as promised in the contract of insurance today. There is a concerted effort to elimate pre-loss or pre-accident conditon from new policies of insurance and instead promising industry standard repairs and restoring function. Down the slippery slope we go.
Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 02:49 am Post Subject: auto repair xpress program
I work for Geico in the claims department as a claims adjuster. To be honest about the auto repair xpress, its all a money maker for Geico. I cant tell you the amount of calls from customers complaining about how horrible the repairs were. Since Geico does guarantee the repair, they go back a second time to fix whatever the shop did wrong which is just more time consuming for the customer. Not only will they almost always use after market parts, even in 2 month old cars, but I hear a lot of how after market parts that didn't fit right so a month after repairs something would go wrong. Claims service reps, the people who take claims when they are first called in, are pushed very hard to sell the program. Most of their grade is based on how many they sell. They will make it sound wonderful and thats because they have to. True, in some ways it is more convenient but lets put it this way..Geico is pushing it hard because they save money and from what Iv heard repairs are well...not done well. If you have a newer car go to your dealership or their body-shop. If your cars old then the auto repair program might not be so bad. Do your research and look up reviews on the auto repair shop that you scheduled if you chose to go that route.
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