[Steam Driver]

Insurance companies suck. About a year ago I had to take the “overland trail” in our GTI to avoid some ditz about halfway into our lane. Through a shallow ditch and across a driveway berm. She opted not to stop, but our car wasn’t incapacitated so I made an immediate U-turn and chased her down. When she saw me coming she finally pulled over.

Sheriff was called, she admitted her fault and was cited for being over the centerline. Insurance was Allstate. They sent us to their captive adjuster/bodyshop; I can’t recall the name now, but they have an obnoxious red and yellow paint job. I think they’re nationwide.

It was obvious to me that at the very least the front valence would need replacing, and Lord knows what underneath. But when my wife took it to have it looked at Billy Bob gave us a quote of $188! Can you believe that? You can’t damage anything on a modern car and get away with $188. He didn’t even look under it. The quote was essentially for a wash job and some clear coat.

So I contacted my company (State Farm) and took it to the body shop of VW’s choice here (ABBRA) and their quote? $2300! And it was actually a little more than that after they got into it. Radiator supports, bunch of other stuff.

While all this was going on I get this call from some jerk at Allstate to “record my statement” on the incident. After I was done he said that wasn’t the way his client told it and they would have to do some more investigation. I told him “Fine. I’m not the one that admitted fault and got the citation. Have at it.”

So, about two weeks later I get another Allstate call: “Good news! We have approved your claim for $188 and you can get your car repaired. I told him what the real situation was, that I was subrogating through my insurance, and he could go pound sand! (I hope that was on his tape!).

I had to pay my deductible, but I assume SF gotball the money out of Allstate because in about a month I got my deductible back.