(The 'Moose' got hit) Resurrection!

So today on my way to pick up my block, a lady pulled out from an intersection and hit the side of my car  She said she didn't see me and someone else waved her on. No one was hurt and I was grateful I saw it coming when I did as she had a 10 month old in the back seat. Swerved as much as i could but in order to avoid the F-350 head on and T-boning her but i had to take some damage. She admitted fault and got a ticket so it will be covered by her insurance. Going to get it looked at by them this Thurs. but im obviously not going to use who they suggest. I really don't want a half gallon of bondo on my car. So i know this is the best place to ask, does anyone have a good body shop that does insurance work? Machinist recommended me to a place but im just weighing my options... Any tips for when the estimator is looking at my car? Thanks guys/gals  

Here are some pics. They don't really tell the whole story but its pushed in a solid 3-4".

Campbell County Autobody does good work. I'd tell whoever you use what you just said. No mud! There are not many shops around that will fool with one and put it back 100% like it was. You just have to shop. they will try to fill that 1/4. I'd go out of my way and tell them you are not going to accept a job that doesn't leave your car like when you bought it. You don't have to take it to where they say they want you to take it. It's your car and no matter what they say you can take it anyplace you want to take it. If you have a problem with their insurance company and they try to low ball you, they will then turn it in on your insurance. I assume you have full coverage. they will pay to put it back the right way and won't haggle with you about it. They will then turn around and go after her insurance company for the money they spent. Getting a good paint shop is hard. I used companies that the insurance said to use two times. Both times I was not happy at all. The last time I used a place that I thought did good work only to find out that they or at least who did my work was less than professional.

When Amy car got hit I took it up to that place in Southgate that has all the hot rods in the front window. Most of us in the Northern Ky part of the club knows some of the guys that work there. They are killer body guys. I thought that they would do a great job. Granted none of them that I knew worked on the car. I wish they would have. Some yahoo that I didn't know did the work. It took longer than they said. When I looked into it they were having issues with the rubber back bumper. They bought 2 from a junk yard but they were not holding their shape. This made me mad because from the get go I figured they would use a NEW bumper cover. They ended up getting a new one. They painted it, replaced a taillight and fixed some damage on the 1/4. I went to get it and it looked so so. Before I pulled it off their lot I noticed the bumper was not tight against the 1/4 and pointed it out. These have little plastic pieces that hold them. I guess the lip wasn't pulled out to make a tight fit. He said they can fix that. I got in the car and they were suppose to fix the air bag light that was on. They never fixed it. I said something about that. He told me to call and set up a time and they could fix all that while I waited. Wanting the car back I jumped in my car while Amy drove hers. As we were pulling out of their lot I see the bottom of the bumper after I'm sitting in my car. They sanded it down to buff it but missed a big section on the lower part of the bumper. So the nice shiny blue paint had a huge dull sanded spot that you can see when you are behind the car. I was so ticked off I never took it back there and would not take my car there if they would paint one for free for me. I guess what I'm trying to say is you never know. Just let them know where you stand from the get go and tell them you plan on keeping the car and want it done right. If they give you any lip leave and take it some place else.

Sorry that happened, but glad your ok.

Okay, so this might be hard to believe. The best work I've had done is by a dealer. The shop has to be owned by the dealership not just operating out of a building on the property. The guys at the Ford dealership I deal with are great. They are not any higher than anyone else.
When my wife's car was wrecked, the insurance wanted to total it but we owed more than they wanted to pay. The body shop manager had his guys pull it apart to check for supplementals then sent the insurance company a guaranteed estimate for fixing it. They agreed and the only thing my OCD dad could find to pick at was two bolts with wrench marks on them.
They also fixed my truck when I sideswiped a rock bluff in the snow. When they got done you couldn't tell it had ever been wrecked. Even fixed a whistling door on the OTHER side of the truck. I told them I appreciated it but that it was un-necessary since it was whistling before the wreck. " just part of the service." was the answer.
The manager told me that they have to meet audited standards in order to be certified by Ford to make repairs on FOMOCO products. They gave our little shotbox Kia the same treatment.

Good deal, thanks guys. Yeah i guess if they know i have an idea of what shotty work is they won't try to pull a fast one. Now that doesn't mean they can't but I'll definitely make it known that i want some new parts and no mud.

I might sound bias but we do d@#n good work where im at. Littletons paint and body. Look at some of the cars on my page. We have one heck of a painter and two bodymen with over 30 years back ground.  Plus most of the time we can save your deductible. We also have a website you can check out.  Plus if you pick us i can take progress pics!!!

hotrodaaron77 wrote:I might sound bias but we do d@#n good work where im at. Littletons paint and body. Look at some of the cars on my page. We have one heck of a painter and two bodymen with over 30 years back ground.  Plus most of the time we can save your deductible. We also have a website you can check out.  Plus if you pick us i can take progress pics!!!

Annnd, if he don't do good.......You got connections with the family, ya' see. 

 

hotrodaaron77 wrote:I might sound bias but we do d@#n good work where im at. Littletons paint and body. Look at some of the cars on my page. We have one heck of a painter and two bodymen with over 30 years back ground.  Plus most of the time we can save your deductible. We also have a website you can check out.  Plus if you pick us i can take progress pics!!!

I took a look and you all do good work. Do you think that the insurance company will let me go there? Not sure how this whole thing works so im kinda just asking as i go lol

I don't know if it is different state to state but here in TN we can go where ever we want to get the repairs done. Insurance companies used to try to tell you that if you went somewhere besides their pick you had to pay any difference. After the state AG got through with them, they quit that crap!

You can take it where you want in Ky not sure about Ohio. Only thing is the insurance company wants you to use one from their list. If you do then it has a warranty against defect up to a year or something. Thing is insurance companies don't care about good work they care about spending their money you have paid them through the years. Most body shops are hacks. It's hard to find someone willing to do 100% professional work around here. It's easier and faster for them to slap in together. Face it, time wise they can fix 3 cars in a hack form and get more money for the 3 than fixing one the right way.

True. I was rushed talking to my agent right after the crash and talking to 3 diff people so tomorrow when i give her the rest of the info ill ask. She did ask me if i wanted some recommendations of places in KY or OH, or if i knew where i wanted to take it yet. Ill get some more info tomorrow but its definitely gonna be done right!

Yes you should be able to choose your own bodyshop. At least come check out our garage.  My boss name is greg number is 356 7437. And remember its your insurance demand genuine parts and dont be scared to ask ? They work for you

Ohio is the same as KY. Take it where you want. The insurance company has preferred shops, but cant force you to use them.

Well I dropped the Mustang off at Littletons Paint & Body this morning where Aaron works and he was nice enough to send me some progress pics which I can add to this post as it progresses to see how its coming along. Thanks again!  

I didn't think they would get that pulled out. Nice work nephew...

It always amazes me how much pressure those little studs can take. 

I put both threads together so everyone could see the before pics...

Okay good deal thank you sir!

Looks like there doing a great job David.

She's got color....

Lookin' Good!