by Guest » Thu Aug 14, 2008 05:04 am
I am in Northern California. I have a 2008 Mustang Convertible. Someone took a baseball bat to my back windshield (shattering the glass but seemingly not doing any other damage).
Body shops have told me that the entire convertible top needs to be replaced as the back windshield is part of single piece. They have told me that there was no way to simply have a new windshield inserted. This is true even after I suggested that I would like to be able to fix it without replacing the top and having to involve my insurance company so I think they are being truthful.
My adjuster has suggested that they will not pay for the new convertible top piece but only for new glass and an upholster to sew it in. This is contrary to what various body shops have said is possible. Ford has told me that this type of patch could void my warranty with respect to the top as a patch job is not appropriate when the whole raising and lowering of the convertible is done electrically. I am guessing that my extended warranty company would tell me the same thing.
What are my rights if the adjuster insists that the patch job is all they will do? I am happy to take it to one of their preferred shops (one that i determine has a good reputation) but i don't want to get bullied into a repair that could damage my warranty on the electrical workings of my convertible top. Can I demand another adjuster? I know that I am able to take it to a repair shop of my choosing but it seems the best strategy would be to get a list of network repair shops and pick a good one if they will provide a list. Also, am i not entitled to have car repaired to its previous condition?
Thoughts would be appreciated. Adjuster is coming over tomorrow to assess the damage although she has given preview of what she will say.
Body shops have told me that the entire convertible top needs to be replaced as the back windshield is part of single piece. They have told me that there was no way to simply have a new windshield inserted. This is true even after I suggested that I would like to be able to fix it without replacing the top and having to involve my insurance company so I think they are being truthful.
My adjuster has suggested that they will not pay for the new convertible top piece but only for new glass and an upholster to sew it in. This is contrary to what various body shops have said is possible. Ford has told me that this type of patch could void my warranty with respect to the top as a patch job is not appropriate when the whole raising and lowering of the convertible is done electrically. I am guessing that my extended warranty company would tell me the same thing.
What are my rights if the adjuster insists that the patch job is all they will do? I am happy to take it to one of their preferred shops (one that i determine has a good reputation) but i don't want to get bullied into a repair that could damage my warranty on the electrical workings of my convertible top. Can I demand another adjuster? I know that I am able to take it to a repair shop of my choosing but it seems the best strategy would be to get a list of network repair shops and pick a good one if they will provide a list. Also, am i not entitled to have car repaired to its previous condition?
Thoughts would be appreciated. Adjuster is coming over tomorrow to assess the damage although she has given preview of what she will say.
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 06:19 am Post Subject:
I just checked on the software that I use and it is not allowing the replacement of just the window. So I think it's not recommended by the manufacture. I agree completely with your view... it seems a window would be an AM part at best (and I'm still not sure it's even possible) and I can't see non OEM parts being used on a 2008. Did the adjuster inspect the damage to the vehicle or just going off the top of his head? You mention going to a DRP so I'm guessing that no one qualified has inspected the vehicle yet. If not, I'm betting any one who looks at the vehicle will confirm that the entire roof needs to be replaced (I think I saw that an OEM top was around $1350).
I had an old POS Le mans convertible that had it's top cut twice. One reason why I carried a $0 comp ded.
P.S. Please don't call the back window a 'windshield' unless you drive in reverse all of the time. :)
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 08:18 am Post Subject:
lol re windshield :-)
the adjuster was going top-of-the-head but was actually pretty firm and mildly nasty about it
maybe the physical inspection and some effort on the adjuster's part will lead to an OEM replacement but the attitude and snap conclusion has me wanting to be prepared
the only person who looked at the vehicle was a body shop that the insurer provided and they agreed that replacement of the top was necessary (but no adjuster had signed off on it; they just didn't show up when scheduled)
thanks for the tips
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 09:08 am Post Subject:
Unfortunately you have been dealing with few of the unreasonable adjusters, who by hooks or crooks will try to lowball a claim. I guess dealing with him at the body shop when the body shop owner is also present at the shop floor, may help him to see the reason.
I think you need to stay firm on your ground as well. Also is required to collect documents and quotes in support of your claim in case you need these while contesting the insurer.
~Jeremy
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 09:44 am Post Subject:
I agree total with both yours and tcope's assessment...try and have some type of document from Ford saying that they do not recommend this, or allow it...the adjuster (off the top of their head :roll: ) probably do not realize this is the case with this particular vehicle...alot of rag tops will allow just glass replacement...if they insist I'd tell them to give you time to produce docs from the Manufactor saying this isn't allowed, and if they still insist that you want a letter from them forever warranting the top/glass that since (if it's true) they are voiding your factory warranty on the top....let us know what happens...asking for a different adjuster won't help I don't think....stay as nice and calm as you can....after they inspect it let us know what happens and if we can help with this additionally.
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 01:43 pm Post Subject:
the adjuster was going top-of-the-head but was actually pretty firm and mildly nasty about it
I thought about this very thing last night... sometimes its easier to feed a little bad news to a person and then go to good news, rather then the opposite. That is, the adjuster know he can't lead you to think that the entire roof is going to be replaced and then perhaps find out that on this vehicle it's sewn in so they are only going to replace the window. That can get an insurance company in a lot of trouble. But it seems like he did not do a good job of explaining this possibility. It sounds like he could have done it better.Convertible top losses are few and far between and they are all made differently. As I mentioned, I used my estimating software and there was not even an option to replace just the window. This leads me to think that it's glued in and/or the manufacture does not recommend replacing just the window (my guess is that it's not even possible to replace just the window). In either case, the warrenty and the fact that it's a 2008 vehicle should be a _huge_ consideration. Granted, if replacement parts are used on a vehicle, their warrenty would replace the manufacturer's warranty but I think that is moot here.
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 05:51 pm Post Subject:
There is no back glass available seperately from Ford and a quick check of two sources produces no aftermarket available. Usually door, quarter and back glass is not readily available aftermarket so this is probably a nonissue. A bit more research on the adjusters/appraisers part before suggesting a low cost repair method would have been in order.
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:12 am Post Subject:
the adjuster eventually conceded that the whole top needed to be replaced
thanks for your information; i think it was helpful in demonstrating that i was not someone who was going to be grateful for a shoddy fix
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 07:15 am Post Subject:
i think it was helpful in demonstrating that i was not someone who was going to be grateful for a shoddy fix
There is no question to be grateful over here. If you have paid all the premiums then it is legally your money!
Believe me, no adjuster would let money flow into your pocket like that. You'll only get paid for what you bear the proof. Initially the adjuster will forward an estimation on the basis of his evaluation of damages...but once you would show him the reason why you're demanding more...then he has no way but to accept your claim. It is some times a gradual process, since there are many things which are taken into account with the passage of time.
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 07:30 am Post Subject:
It's nice to see your problem getting solved and having a happy ending I should say.... :D .You have to be strong otherwise these people will not let you have what you rightfully deserve to have.
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