Last week my model S was hit in the left front bumper while it was charging. The other driver took the fault. My bumper, headlamp, corner lamp, fender, and other stuff were damaged. Luckily the other driver left a note with a Geico claim number. An adjuster came over the next day, and she provided me an estimate of 1200$. I have not contacted my insurance company(Tesla Insurance) yet.
However, when I took my car to a Tesla service center, their solution was to replace the whole bumper and other damaged stuff, which is around 3000$. I thought it might be too much, so I went to another local authorized body shop. Surprisingly the body shop quoted me at almost 7000$ since they do not work with Geico anymore, and they have a higher labor rate.
I contacted Geico, and the adjuster said that they will not likely approve such amount repair cost, and recommended me to use another local body shop that they work with. So I went to this body shop, and it was apparently a low-end body shop which was full of honda and other old cars. I am afraid that my Tesla will not get a good quality fix here.
I am confused that is it my right to choose where to fix my car? or do I have to follow Geico's approval and settle my collision repair at a place just because it is cheap for Geico? What should I do?
Thank you for your time, and I appreciate every advice that you give to me!
However, when I took my car to a Tesla service center, their solution was to replace the whole bumper and other damaged stuff, which is around 3000$. I thought it might be too much, so I went to another local authorized body shop. Surprisingly the body shop quoted me at almost 7000$ since they do not work with Geico anymore, and they have a higher labor rate.
I contacted Geico, and the adjuster said that they will not likely approve such amount repair cost, and recommended me to use another local body shop that they work with. So I went to this body shop, and it was apparently a low-end body shop which was full of honda and other old cars. I am afraid that my Tesla will not get a good quality fix here.
I am confused that is it my right to choose where to fix my car? or do I have to follow Geico's approval and settle my collision repair at a place just because it is cheap for Geico? What should I do?
Thank you for your time, and I appreciate every advice that you give to me!