Tow Vehicle got rear-ended

[TDI-Minnie]

So my Ram 2500 was loaded up with almost 1,000lbs in the bed (not towing) and I got rear-ended by... a Prius.
Sounds funny, I know. I had my small 1 3/4" ball mount in the hitch and it didn't feel like much of a hit, buy the rear bumper and hitch are definitely bent down slightly.

Parts are getting replaced by insurance, but I can't confirm what parts they are using. Sounds like maybe non-OEM.

I'm very frustrated.

Thoughts?
What can I look for to make sure the parts are strong enough and installed right? I certainly plan to get under there and torque and the nuts/bolts.

[Cummins12V98]

If I were you I would demand OE parts! Either good condition from a junkyard or factory new. Talk to your agent.

They tried that BS with me, It did not work I ended up with factory new rear bumper. They sell them on Ebay all day for $350.

[VTR]

Insurance will save all they can. Do some research and find a body shop that will put in OEM parts and fight for you. Some shops do some do not, if it's too late demand Oem.

[UsualSuspect]

Make sure you take it where you want, not where the insurance company wants to. A way to make sure they use OEM parts is take it to the Dealer, have them fix it, and do not accept it if they did not use OEM parts. Insurance Companies like to fix things in the cheap, I on the other hand like it to look like it never happened, and with the same factory look it had before their insured hit it.

[timetogo]

Once a shop is decided on, I would specify the replacements by brand and part number.

[rjf7g]

Mine, too - on Saturday, by a RAV4. Take it to a shop that you trust - everything should be replaced with OEM parts and you need to make sure the frame and mount points are fine.

[Cummins12V98]

Never trust a Insurance Company "preferred" Body Shop. They only lookout for the InsCo!

[slanted]

A body shop can install any part you want. However, the insurance may only pay for an aftermarket, or even used parts. (Most the insurance companies I work with mandate A/M, reconditioned, or used pars on vehicles over a year old or over 12k miles.) These rules are NOT from the body shop, but mandated by the insurance company. "Preferred" shop or not, we still have to work in the guidelines.


Keep in mind that most bumpers on trucks are "aftermarket" from the factory. Same for the hitch.

[tncruiser]

I have demanded and received oem parts
when the aaa rep said they were the same I told her I would agree to non-genuine parts if I could pay future premiums with counterfeit money because according to her logic if it looks the same must be the same , she said she would call me back after talking to her supervisor 15 minutes later she said they would pay for the real stuff ins companies are allowed to get away with as much as YOU let them
brianj

[MuckSavage]

My wife hit a deer with our Dodge Charger. Our insurance let us pick the body shop & once there, I negotiated with the shop owner that I would pay the difference for OEM (Mopar) parts. The difference I paid was only $510 for a $3800 repair.....the only way to fly IMHO is OEM!

[slanted]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Never trust a Insurance Company "preferred" Body Shop. They only lookout for the InsCo!

I beg to differ Cummings. You are painting with a very wide brush, and your statement is just not true in most cases. The shop I am at is a DRP (direct repair program, or "preferred" shop) for 8 insurance companies. While we do have to work within some parameters, our first concern is ALWAYS the customer. Insurance companies will only pay for certain parts (see my post above) no matter if you are preferred shop or not. Things like sand and polish, color tint and haz material disposable need to be done, paid for or not. We include those things for our customers at no charge to them.

slanted

[keymastr]

If it is bumper and hitch you are talking about there are usually stronger units available aftermarket. Factory recievers are not always so great. Might be a good time to upgrade with the insurance paying part of the bill. Just a thought

[Superslif]

Since the other driver was at fault. I would be sure OEM parts were used on their dime.

My wife was involved in a hit & run. My insurance "can" use after market parts over OEM Toyota parts. I said I'll pay the difference for the OEM trim pieces and headlight units. The aftermarket fender never fit anyways, so they had to use a OEM fender anyway. I think it cost me $75 more. But if the hit & run driver was found it would have been on them.

[TDI-Minnie]

My main concern was the hitch. Picked it up this afternoon and everything looks correct. All bolt-on. No paint.