After 16 years of driving, I was involved in my first accident Friday night. I was stopped at a stop sign leaving my neighborhood and was hit by a family acquaintance, who lives in the neighborhood, because he completely misjudged the turn. My car was hit in front driver’s corner so I need a new fender, bumper, headlight, and miscellaneous hardware. He was very upset about hitting me, admitted fault 100% and it’s written in the police report as such and he was given a citation so it’s as cut-and-dry as it can be. The guy even called me twice over the weekend to apologize. I contacted my insurance company (Travelers) the same night to report a claim even though I’m having his insurance company (The Hartford) pay for the damage.
Yesterday I brought my car to a very reputable shop to get an estimate and was adamant about only accepting factory parts but he told me insurance companies will only pay for aftermarket parts. I told him my concern with aftermarket fitting like crap, etc. and he was totally on my side but it what it is. The total repair with OEM parts is $2800 and the cost difference between OEM and aftermarket is probably ~$200. He said I can pay the difference…
Now here’s my question/concern, has anyone been in a similar situation; getting hit, 100% not at fault, want OEM parts for your repair, insurance company dicking you around? If so, how did you handle it? If his insurance company will not budge, I’m thinking about approaching the guy who hit me and ask him to pay the difference and if he doesn’t, I’ll take him to small claims court, but really don’t want to go down that road. I'm not looking for a windfall, I just want to be made whole with the right parts. I believe I shouldn't have to accept inferior parts since I wasn't at fault.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
My car is a 2011 WRX hatch. Before this it was mint and is not my daily driver.
Yesterday I brought my car to a very reputable shop to get an estimate and was adamant about only accepting factory parts but he told me insurance companies will only pay for aftermarket parts. I told him my concern with aftermarket fitting like crap, etc. and he was totally on my side but it what it is. The total repair with OEM parts is $2800 and the cost difference between OEM and aftermarket is probably ~$200. He said I can pay the difference…
Now here’s my question/concern, has anyone been in a similar situation; getting hit, 100% not at fault, want OEM parts for your repair, insurance company dicking you around? If so, how did you handle it? If his insurance company will not budge, I’m thinking about approaching the guy who hit me and ask him to pay the difference and if he doesn’t, I’ll take him to small claims court, but really don’t want to go down that road. I'm not looking for a windfall, I just want to be made whole with the right parts. I believe I shouldn't have to accept inferior parts since I wasn't at fault.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
My car is a 2011 WRX hatch. Before this it was mint and is not my daily driver.