Good advice on the photos and police report. Learned that one the hard way myself when my '68 Mustang got rear-ended near Rapid City—thought it was just a scratch until I saw the bumper hanging funny the next day. One thing I'd add is to double-check your policy's fine print about choosing repair shops. Some insurers here in SD can be picky if you don't use their recommended places, especially for older or classic cars. Worth a quick call to your agent just to save yourself any headaches later...
Good points, but I'd be careful about automatically going with the insurer's recommended shops:
- Sometimes their places cut corners to save costs.
- Had a bad experience in Sioux Falls—paint started peeling after a month.
- Might be worth researching independent shops too...
Totally agree with you on this one. I've had my share of headaches with insurer-recommended shops, especially when it comes to luxury cars. Had a similar issue—not in Sioux Falls, but close enough—where the paint job looked great at first, then started bubbling after a couple months. Independent shops often take more pride in their work because their reputation depends on it. Definitely worth spending a little extra time researching and reading reviews... peace of mind is priceless when it comes to your ride.
Interesting points, but do you think insurer-recommended shops are always a bad choice? I'm new to this, but wouldn't insurers have some incentive to maintain decent standards to avoid complaints or repeat claims? Maybe your experience was just a one-off or specific to luxury cars... Has anyone had positive experiences with insurer-approved shops, or is it really that hit-or-miss? Just trying to weigh all sides before I commit.
I've seen insurer-recommended shops go both ways, honestly. You're right that insurers do have some motivation to keep standards decent—after all, constant complaints or re-dos wouldn't exactly help their bottom line. But from what I've noticed, it really depends on the insurer and the shop itself. Some insurers genuinely vet their shops well, while others might just pick whoever offers them the best rates.
A buddy of mine had his car fixed at an insurer-approved place after a minor accident, and he was pretty happy with the results. Said the process was smooth, repairs seemed solid, and no issues popped up afterward. On the flip side, I've also heard stories where people felt rushed through repairs or got subpar parts.
Maybe it's worth checking out reviews or asking around locally about specific shops your insurer recommends? Also curious—does anyone know if South Dakota has specific regulations or protections around insurer-recommended repair shops? Could make a difference in what you decide...
