Companies can run into legal problems by having an "approved list" and paying shops directly. When the company pays the shop directly, the insurance company is essentially repairing the vehicle, not settling the claim. If the shop did a bad job which caused you to have a wreck and you are seriously injured: guess who it is going to come back on? The insurance company with the deep pockets that "hired" the shop to do the repairs.
The way you described is a big trend for companies like State Farm, Progressive, Geico, etc... but in my opinion, it is NOT a smart way to do business from the insurance company's standpoint. The body shop themself needs to be responsible if they screwed something up.
I NEVER pay a shop direct. Even if the claimant signs a "direction to pay", I make the check out the the claimant and the body shop together.

 

You stated hit by a "drunk driver." Was he arrested on scene and found guilty of this? If so sue *** *** off and also his insurance company. I'm not saying that just being a ambulance chaser but your right, he could of really hurt you. Hey, if nothing else maybe, just maybe they will settle and replace your vehicle with NEW.

 

You can't sue his insurance company. They did nothing wrong.

If he's already settled he can't sue anybody.

"He could have hurt you" is no grounds for monetary damages. You have to have actually incurred medical bills and treatment.

No intelligent lawyer in the world would take on a "property damage only" case either. There is no money in it for them.

 

I have Geico. The accident happened in CT around exit 6 when I got off I95. I just left it at the shop that towed me because my regular shop is in the Bronx and didn't want more hassel of transporting my car there. The adjuster told me he couldn't recommend any shops in CT for legal reasons.

The guy did get arrested for like a bunch of things. DUI, traveling at an unreasonable speed, failure to obey traffic signals, evading responsibility (he tried to drive away but his car only had 1 wheel left after the accident so he was just throwing up sparks on the pavement), and some other charge I forget.

I'm not going to sue, I'm fine and he is in jail. Sure I would like to have a new car out of this but as long as it is repaired in a quality way I will be happy.

 

So did he have insurance or did your policy have to pay? Just curious.

If your policy paid, how much was your Uninsured Motorist deductible? That's more curiosity on my part. here in Mississippi, the UM deductible is set at $200 by law.

 

The car had insurance. The guy driving wasn't the insured and he was from Virginia so I don't know how he knew the owner. I received a letter today from AllState acknowledging the claim so it looks like they will be paying. I just had to pay my deductible which is $500 and will get it back when the whole thing is sorted out.

Body shop called and said I can pick up tomorrow at 1 since they have to do some buffing in the morning.

 

It happened in CT?? Boy I'd better be careful, I've been known to visit Foxwoods a few times in the past..LOL.. Might be going again in a few days. I'll surely be thinking about this post the whole way there.

 

Got the car back today. Everything seems good for now. Just one thing, I was in stop and go traffic for a part of the way home and notice at idle when stopped and speed below 5 mph there is vibration. I can feel it in the steering wheel and gear shift (where I rest my hand while driving). Now I can't remember if it was like this before the accident since it was over a month ago now but I seem to remember reading this was an issue with this generation, motor mount?

Question, should I call the body shop and ask or is it something I should talk to the dealer about?

 

Turns out I was right to check everything. They put in the wrong coolant, some green crap. Just bought 2 gallons of Honda coolant and going to change it tonight.

 

I would call the body shop and tell them about the vibration. If it is a motor mount, it definitely could have been damaged in that accident. I would actually be surprised if the motor mounts were not damaged considering he basicaly ran over your front end.