Hi..My car got hit while it was parked on the side of the road. I got the other driver's info and started a claim with my insurance company (21st Century). My insurance company has a list of shops that they directly deal with.

One of them is AKINS Collision in Santa Clara. Has anyone ever used them?

I searched the threads and found that people have recommended Works Auto Body in Santa Clara or Creative Customs in San Jose.

I'm concerned that the insurance company has negotiated a lower labor rate with their "approved" shops and won't pay for a higher rate for a body shop not on their list.

Anyone with problems with the insurance payment for body shops that were not on the insurance company's preferred list?

 

never had an issue with telling them where you wanted to bring YOUR car.

 

They have no options. This part of insurance law in CA is very clear - you can take your car ANYWHERE you want - you do NOT have to use their shop.

So whats the catch? Well, if you use their shop, they often wont even sound out an adjuster - they just accept whatever the shop says is needed and pay for it, no questions asked. If you use your own shop, they will send out an adjuster, who will determine an estimate along with the body shop guys and then payout based on that. If the adjuster thinks its WAY too much, you may have a biut of a fight on your hands, but thats unlikely. So, its a little longer to get repaired, etc, but they CANT prevent you from getting the work done anywhere you like.

 

i had 21st before and I always took my car to MY prefer shop. Never had any problem with it. My shop (not a 21st prefer shop) delt with 21st for me (negotiated on the rate, parts, etc). 21st used to tell me if I don't go to their prefer shop I won't get the life warranty. But my shop gives me the life warranty regardless of the insurance company so I didn't care...

good luck!

 

Thanks for the feedback.
What is your preferred shop in the south bay, if not Works Auto or Creative Customs?

 

Carmat Collision down in Santa Cruz (I used to live there)... It might a bit far for, but if you are interested, let me know.

Leo

 

Sorta...your insurance likely has a standard labor rate for that particular area, if the shop charges higher than that then your insurance isn't required to cover it. Also, if the shop happens to do a crappy job your insurance can't do anything to help since they have no contractual agreement with the shop. However, it is true that you use whichever shop you want so it's a bit of a craps shoot.

However, the company I work for uses Akins as well and I haven't ever heard anything negative about them.