The claim adjuster finally returned our call, after refusing to deal with me. They won't let us take the car to a Pontiac dealership. It has to be a nearby Ford dealership. My husband is off getting it appraised right now. And we have 2 options on getting it fixed. They will either pay the Ford dealership to do the work or they will cut us a check. I'm trying to decide what to do. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Here'* my thoughts. If the quote is high, you might be able to take a check and get it fixed somewhere else for chaeper and pocket the difference. If the quote is low, have them pay the dealer to make sure it all gets done without out of pocket exspenses.

And why do they want you to take a Pontiac to a Ford dealer? Ford can barely build a good car of their own let alone fix a GM car!

No kidding. They said that we can't pick our own dealership for estimate/repairs and I guess that they don't deal with Pontiac (so convenient). I'm going to be filing a complaint against them with the insurance commission and the Better Business Bureau (thanks Drifter!) as soon as this is all over, being as the claim adjuster was ruder than I could believe possible and she actually hung up on me once. The big problem is I know the guys at this dealership and I wouldn't want them to fix my kid'* tricycle, let alone my car.

They do not have the right to choose Ford Dealer when you insist on Pontiac dealership ( for Pontiac cars.. duh... why don't they tatoo a big "L" on their fore head for looser... or better yet.. "Type R" on their fore head for "Type Retarded ). Ssei made a good point about the check thing.. but that is bogus that you have to take it to Ford.. the worse case is that you have to pay for the tow to a pontiac dealership ( but since this doesn't apply to you ).. I have a few words to say... but don't want to get banned for using so many of them .... If I was in your shoes... call your insurance.. on monday.. give them till wednesday to call back.. no good results by then? Call a lawyer or three ( i.e. like those ex-copper and so on that knows about highway traffic act, and insurance scam.. and crap like that.. they can usually tell you what your rights are over the phone.. or give you a free consultation )... Remember... you have to fight for your right...

I know....Insurance adjusters shall feel my wrath!! They refuse to be helpful in any way. We are going to have to get a lawyer about Shane'* injuries, I'm pretty sure. Now, for you mechanically inclined people in here. If I can get them to cut me a check, and I have a Pontiac (not Ford) dealership fix my airbag/engine would it be hard for me to replace the bumper myself...if say I could find one at a junk yard, or somewhere like that. I figure it would probably be cheaper if I did it myself...that way I don't have to worry about if the Pontiac dealership charges more than the Ford dealership would. Am I making sense? I feel like I'm chasing my own tail here. I can't believe they won't let us go to the mechanic/dealership of our choice!! What kind of people are they?? My head is going to explode now. *sigh*

I have never pulled a bumper off my Bonneville but I have done it on my buddies Grand Marquis and it was really easy. It was literally just a few bolts holding it on. If you have a service manual that will probably show you the general locations for the connections that hold the bumper on. I'm pretty sure it is something that the average car owner could do if they wanted too.

They are wrong very wrong when they say they can’t work with Pontiac. They are lying. If they can cut you a check then they can cut Pontiac a check. Tell the guy to call me ILL rip him a new one. They are pulling your chain. I eat morons like this for breakfast. They are lying to you and are hoping you don’t find a way to prove it. So my feeling is this go to the Pontiac dealership and talk to them. Get a quote from them then state the check amount needs to be for that quoted amount. Bumpers are easy to do. Mine popped right back were it was supposed to be. Also once you get the amount worked out for Pontiac walk away from this insurance company and let them know you have passed on your distress to us the lovely public. No matter what they say walk away from them. After they pay out it will be the only time in your business relationship you will be able to inflict any pain at all.

Stand your ground now and complain all the way to the top. if you want help I would be glad to talk to the idiot. I love taking on these burned out used car salesman.


GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

Ty

Get 'em Amy! This is THEIR adjuster, right? Have you asked your own agent for assistance in dealing with them? Yes, the bumper is easy. You'll need to replace some of the little plastic fasteners, but they're cheap and easy to get. They're what hold the lower plastic skirt to the fiberglass core of the lower bumper. We can walk you through the whole process.

Yup, it'* their adjuster. My insurance company said they will talk to them, but my agent says that it might cause more damage than good. The Ford estimator guy said that it will be about $1500 to fix the car. He doesn't think there is anything wrong with the airbag. He said to reset the ECM and it should fix it. I am so grumpy about the whole thing. My insurance agent is just patronizing me. He says if in a week or so I am still having problems he would be glad to call them, but other than that he isn't much help. The estimator said it was all cosmetic damage. I'd like to just fix it myself, that way I know it'* being done right. Is that a good idea? I mean, if they are willing to give me a check for it, I could just get the parts and do it myself. I'm supposing anyway. I can't believe what a horrible experience this has been. I hope I never hear anything from Hartford Insurance after this is all over.I've never even heard of them before.

Hartford? They're the ones that used to give out the little red plastic firefighter hats at school when I was a kid. Have a stag on their logo. Your deal really sucks. Oregon has an insurance law that says you can take your car to be fixed at ANY licensed shop of your own choice, and the responsible insurance company has to pay. I simply found the shop with the best reputation (one of the most expensive) and really stuck it to 'em. They did a great job on mine, but lost the carpet liner under my trunk lid. Almost had to buy me a new one, but they found it in a back room on the shelf!

Too bad you don't have that law there.....or do you? Your agent should be able to tell you that, and has no reason to decieve you.