Want to charge me for an insurance estimate
#41
08-25-2008, 05:07 AM
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The dealer has to pay someone to do an estimate, pay for the software and pay for the printer and forms. Why would anyone expect this to be his expence? Though 3 hours just might be a little excessive. On the other hand, The insurance company already has your money and part of your premium pays the adjusters wages. So the insurance company gets paid to do an estimate. Shouldn't the dealer?
#42
08-25-2008, 05:30 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
An estimate based on a visual inspection only, with no tear down, takes minutes, not hours.
#43
08-25-2008, 05:42 AM
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I'm actually most surprised at the casual way State Farm handled this. Good deal for you, since you were obviously looking for a quick inspection and some money, but the notion that "just come on back once you get the fairing off if you see other damage" is pretty unusual.
Hidden damage is quite common when a vehicle falls or crashes - even in what appear to have been very minor events. I'm not surprised most dealers and most insurance inspectors would err on the side of doing it right the first time. Glad it worked out for you, the way you wanted, but I wouldn't count on that in the future.
Hidden damage is quite common when a vehicle falls or crashes - even in what appear to have been very minor events. I'm not surprised most dealers and most insurance inspectors would err on the side of doing it right the first time. Glad it worked out for you, the way you wanted, but I wouldn't count on that in the future.
Had he gone back the estimator would have written a supplement to cover the damage.
#44
08-25-2008, 06:07 AM
The thing I can see is bike shops are not body shops.
In most cases, if I had sheetmetal/fiberglass and paint damage, I would not want a dealer bike shop to touch it. However, mechanical damage is another story. Supposedly, there is where their expertise lies.
body shops give free estimates because they are competing for your business.
dealer bike shops do not really want your crash or repair business.
Service departments are a necessary evil, as far as dealers are concerned. They cost way more to operate than the dollars they generate.
Dealers, of any sort, would much rather just sell vehicles, parts, and trinkets. That is where the money is.
They charge a fee because of the above stated reasons.
In most cases, if I had sheetmetal/fiberglass and paint damage, I would not want a dealer bike shop to touch it. However, mechanical damage is another story. Supposedly, there is where their expertise lies.
body shops give free estimates because they are competing for your business.
dealer bike shops do not really want your crash or repair business.
Service departments are a necessary evil, as far as dealers are concerned. They cost way more to operate than the dollars they generate.
Dealers, of any sort, would much rather just sell vehicles, parts, and trinkets. That is where the money is.
They charge a fee because of the above stated reasons.
#45
08-25-2008, 06:21 AM
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Slowly reread what I typed and you'll see that I have no problem with a dealership charging a fair price for an estimate and stated as much. What I object to and yes, what IS extortion, is overcharging to ensure that you return to have the repair work done there.
#46
08-25-2008, 07:08 AM
I spent several years in the insurance industry writing estimates and adjusting claims for autos and motorcycles. We would never pay a shop for an estimate, ever - mechanical, body, etc. We also never required someone to provide their own estimate and it did not matter if they wanted to do the work themselves. It certainly does not surprise me that a stealer would want to get paid for it, and to claim it takes a day to give you an estimate. They are just that good (sarcasm). Anybody that claims it takes that long to do it, especially with the computer estimating software these days, is (shall I be kind here) mis-informed. I could write a hard hit with a calculator and a Mitchell manual in less than 1/2 hour.
As for State Farm's actions: I used to estimate damage in a claimant's driveway and hand them a check before I left. Motorcycles were a little different only because you needed to gets part prices. Supplements for hidden or additional damage are not unusual, especially in harder hits.
As for State Farm's actions: I used to estimate damage in a claimant's driveway and hand them a check before I left. Motorcycles were a little different only because you needed to gets part prices. Supplements for hidden or additional damage are not unusual, especially in harder hits.
#47
08-25-2008, 07:29 AM
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Minutes ??? we have a bike out back that got hit by a truck and it only should take minutes to do a visual estimate?? Come on lets be real about things!! would you only want the tech to take "minutes" on your $20,000 investment?
#48
08-26-2008, 12:41 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
If someone took longer than that, I'd surmise they were inexperienced and take my bike elsewhere.
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