Catalytic converter stolen; Progressive only endorse aftermarket converter, any issue?

[GKIII]

The progressive agent simply told me that if I bring my car to dealership they will only reimburse the cost for the aftermarket converter anyway. I think this is BS, right? Anyway I am kind of stuck in the middle of the caliber collision since they are repairing the paint scratch (both the ones caused by me and the ones caused by the cat converters thieves). I think my best strategy is to insist on OEM part and refuse to accept the repair if they want to use aftermarket one, as Progressive claim that "the work is guaranteed if using their in-network shop". Anyway just my bad luck these few weeks.

There is a huge difference between an aftermarket body panel and an aftermarket catalytic converter. Progressive is obligated to make you whole, using an aftermarket emissions system component is not making you whole.

 

[SD Rebel]

Other issue is that the Catalytic converter is covered under the 8 year / 80k emissions warranty. An aftermarket part is gonna lose that coverage, obviously. The insurance company going to warranty the new part for that long?

You only lose coverage on the catalytic converter right, nothing else? If that's the case, doesn't the aftermarket cat come with it's own warranty?

 

[Aseras]

You only lose coverage on the catalytic converter right, nothing else? If that's the case, doesn't the aftermarket cat come with it's own warranty?

If anything powertrain fails they are going to blame the aftermarket cat.

Insurance companies hate liability. Tell them Ram said warranty will be void and ask them to put in writing that they indemnify you and Ram should anything be damaged by their choice of cheap parts and to agree to extend same coverage in lieu of any B2B and powertrian and emissions warranties. They'll cave.

 

[Kicker]

The body shop has insurance for reasons just like this, Make HIM file a claim and get an OEM converter. I'll bet he won't and just cover it himself as his premium will go up.
Or ask him what his ins. company is and call them yourself.
He IS responsible for your property while it is left there under his supervision.

 

[Shine006]

If your vehicle was on their property and they provide evening drop off security is on them and they should be filing the claim with their insurance.

 

[Cbty2050]

The body shop has insurance for reasons just like this, Make HIM file a claim and get an OEM converter. I'll bet he won't and just cover it himself as his premium will go up.
Or ask him what his ins. company is and call them yourself.
He IS responsible for your property while it is left there under his supervision.

I'm sure there is a clause in the paperwork that he signed that states something like "we are nor responsible for theft or damage to your vehicle while at our location". Most dealers have that in the paperwork, it's in the fine print.

We had a customer drop his truck off and left a large yeti cooler in his bed. Of course it ended up missing. Our dealer purchased him a new cooler. Another time a customer had a bunch of tools in his truck, customer came and grab some of his tools. He came back the next day to get more tools and he said alot of his tools are now missing. He was the last person in the vehicle and left it unlocked, he made a list that totaled almost $15k.... dealer didn't give him a penny. Dealer told him to make an insurance claim. He never did.... so weird.

 

[msy288]

Thanks again folks! Sorry that I am not able to answer for each reply. Here is an update:

I talked to the Caliber Collision regional manager who I spoke previously, and to my surprise she knew exactly that aftermarket is to be installed and she just strongly talked me into going for aftermarket converter. Someone said the exact thing earlier in this post that Caliber and Progressive are all behind this. Yes Caliber offered to pay my 1k deductible, but they kind of reached a deal on their own to install cheap converter on my vehicle. The body shop stands behind the insurance, not behind me.

I just went to RAM dealer in the evening time and talked to the service manager. He said ALL progressive customers get OEM converters installed if they have comprehensive coverage, and no reason that Caliber want to install a no-name aftermarket. I am going to Caliber shop tomorrow and ask them only do body repair, and I am going to tow my truck to RAM dealer for the converter installation. Not sure if I need to pay deductible again, but I need the OEM converter and I won't deal with Caliber Collision anyway after the repair is repaired.

As 12 years loyal customers of Progressive paying high premium for two vehicles (I am a single guy), I am done with Progressive after everything is settled later. Good job on Progressive for keeping a loyal customer away. I am sure they won't give a damn about it.

 

[msy288]

I'm sure there is a clause in the paperwork that he signed that states something like "we are nor responsible for theft or damage to your vehicle while at our location". Most dealers have that in the paperwork, it's in the fine print.

We had a customer drop his truck off and left a large yeti cooler in his bed. Of course it ended up missing. Our dealer purchased him a new cooler. Another time a customer had a bunch of tools in his truck, customer came and grab some of his tools. He came back the next day to get more tools and he said alot of his tools are now missing. He was the last person in the vehicle and left it unlocked, he made a list that totaled almost $15k.... dealer didn't give him a penny. Dealer told him to make an insurance claim. He never did.... so weird.

Yes. Initially I wanted to reach legal service to against the Caliber Collision, but realized later that I did sign some documents when I dropped the vehicle. I don't remember the contents of the paperwork, but I am sure that there is a clause that they are not responsible for the damage. I have already stepped down to use my own comprehensive insurance to cover the repair, and they still want to install the cheap converter instead of OEM. This is ridiculous.

 

[TNRamGuy]

When you start looking, I have had great experience with Amica. They don't play with upping your rates every 6 months like geico, answer the phone quickly, speak English, and rates were very competitive. They keep prices low by not running commercials constantly like liberty and state farm. My neighbors house caught fire, the adjuster was there before the fire department was even gone. Booked 2 rooms at the closest hotel, brought coffee and donuts, and handed them 500 cash for clothes and toiletries. They started repairs 2 days later. Even walked my property to see if there was any damage

 

[scottmoyer]

Just because their document states they aren't responsible, that doesn't clear them from responsibility. They will always say that you signed the document and the print was there, but legally, you have to sign the paperwork for the other reasons you went there. This puts you in a catch 22. If you don't sign because of this small print, they don't do the work, if you do sign and something happens, they claim the small print. Both options are against the consumer, which could be see as an illegal clause and might not be enforceable.

 

[msy288]

Update: Progressive and Caliber Collision still kick the ball back and forth. And for the time being Progressive still told me that only aftermarket converter is approved because my car is not new vehicle. I am going to the body shop and check the body repair status, and discuss about the towing date (tow to dealership). Progressive said even you tow to dealership, we still pay for the aftermarket one. So here is what I am going to do:

1. Tow to dealership and ask them to deal with Progressive.
2. If progressive don't pay for the OEM one, I will pay the difference (1k~2k).
3. I am going to hire a lawyer to sue Caliber Collision, to pay me back the difference I paid for OEM converter, and the legal fee.

Thanks folks!

 

[TNRamGuy]

Update: Progressive and Caliber Collision still kick the ball back and forth. And for the time being Progressive still told me that only aftermarket converter is approved because my car is not new vehicle. I am going to the body shop and check the body repair status, and discuss about the towing date (tow to dealership). Progressive said even you tow to dealership, we still pay for the aftermarket one. So here is what I am going to do:

1. Tow to dealership and ask them to deal with Progressive.
2. If progressive don't pay for the OEM one, I will pay the difference (1k~2k).
3. I am going to hire a lawyer to sue Caliber Collision, to pay me back the difference I paid for OEM converter, and the legal fee.

Thanks folks!

Also contact the bbb, large companies hate bad press

 

[c3k]

Tell them Flo sent you.

 

[Grimgreg]

I ditched Progressive in the 90s after they tried the aftermarket game on me. I stuck it to them with the repair though, took it to the most expensive shop in town, who used OEM. The shop had a reputation for getting their way with cheapskate insurance companies.

 

[Kicker]

I don't care what he signed for paperwork, the courts will toss the "clause" right out as the shop assumes any and all responsibility for your car/truck while on his property. So says the court.
Is his yard fenced in? Does he keep your truck inside at night? No? Then he is not making a reasonable effort to protect your property while in his care.

 

[Kinalyx]

For anyone reading this issue, this works for body panels, any parts, anything really. Use a shop u trust and possibly know the owner or at least the person dealing with your car directly. Every aftermarket part that shows up, have them damage it, and send the pic to the insurance, after anything comes in damaged more than once, the insurance will just up the pay to the OEM part. Done it many times with a shop i highly trust, the lady that deals with the insurance will always get every dime she can out of them. My last vehicle i had in to her got upgraded parts over what was already on the car, it paid for my deductible, and i walked out with a check for overage.

 

[jimk hunt]

File a complaint with the state insurance commissioners office pronto. Consider having a lawyer send a letter nad if all that fails, pay out of pocket and file in small claims. You may have a new part time job!

 

[HSKR R/T]

For anyone reading this issue, this works for body panels, any parts, anything really. Use a shop u trust and possibly know the owner or at least the person dealing with your car directly. Every aftermarket part that shows up, have them damage it, and send the pic to the insurance, after anything comes in damaged more than once, the insurance will just up the pay to the OEM part. Done it many times with a shop i highly trust, the lady that deals with the insurance will always get every dime she can out of them. My last vehicle i had in to her got upgraded parts over what was already on the car, it paid for my deductible, and i walked out with a check for overage.

And this is part of the reason why insurance prices are so high

 

[msy288]

Folks! Update: Progressive finally agree to cover the OEM part. I won't need to tow my vehicle to dealership. Caliber Collision is going to order the OEM converter from RAM.

It is funny that I filed a BBB complaint around 2 pm and the Progressive called me around 3pm to inform they authorize the OEM. I am sure it has nothing to do with BBB complaint. Haha. I send an email to BBB to withdraw the request. It will be awkward that Body Shop receive the BBB complaint tomorrow.

 

[Dewey]

For anyone reading this issue, this works for body panels, any parts, anything really. Use a shop u trust and possibly know the owner or at least the person dealing with your car directly. Every aftermarket part that shows up, have them damage it, and send the pic to the insurance, after anything comes in damaged more than once, the insurance will just up the pay to the OEM part. Done it many times with a shop i highly trust, the lady that deals with the insurance will always get every dime she can out of them. My last vehicle i had in to her got upgraded parts over what was already on the car, it paid for my deductible, and i walked out with a check for overage.

Sounds real shady to me.

This is exactly why our rates are sky high.