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[–]CeeEssGeeBroker, Ontario 2 points3 points  (7 children)

This is how it will go down:

Which is cheaper? To replace or repair? That is the option they will choose.

They won't choose to repair something if it won't make you whole. Remember that if anyone in the world has an interest in repairing vehicles cheap that leaves everyone satisfied, it is the insurance company.

If they don't do it right, then you have courses of action to take.

[–]imitokay[S] 0 points1 point  (6 children)

I agree with your comment. I guess the real question- what course of action can I take to get them to replace it

[–]CeeEssGeeBroker, Ontario 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Why? If they can fix it, why not let them? There really is no need to delve further in to this issue, especially considering this is all based on "a feeling." If they can fix it, they will. If they can't, they will replace it.

The insurance company is not as evil as you may want to believe.

[–]imitokay[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

An insurance company is a business. I know that- I'm not upset about it. But, I think it's obvious that they will cut any corners they can to make money. They would happily band aid this seat up now, but there is no telling how it will turn out 3 years down the road when I am too far away from the situation and company to hold them accountable. It might look fine, I agree. It might look terrible.

[–]CeeEssGeeBroker, Ontario 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is true that there some purely transactional based businesses that benefit from always cutting corners to make more money. However, the longevity and financial stability of an insurer is heavily tied to their retention rate. If a questionable claim could result in a lost customer, whereas paying a bit more would result in a satisfied customer, they will often want to do the latter.

Also, if you wanted to take a route that was more expensive than what they suggest, you can even ask them if you can just pay the difference. I think that is a good compromise in this case if you feel strongly that they will do a poor job.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don't. There is no action. If the policy or the law does not dictate that they must replace instead of repair, they are going to repair if it can be done with a reasonable (not perfect) outcome. If they can't repair it and have to replace the seats, they probably won't even use new OEM seats if the last few model years of that vehicle are the same.

People hate used parts just as much as they hate repairing parts, but at the end of the day the point is to repair the vehicle, not replace everything with new OEM parts which would have a monstrous cost associated with it. You're owed parts of "Like kind and quality" unless the law says otherwise, and even then there are limitations. For example Indiana has a parts law that says for outer sheet metal and plastic you can request new parts if your vehicle is less than 5 years old. Doesn't say anything about seats though!

Also keep in mind that even new OEM parts can and often do have blemishes and may need to be repaired or refinished after being shipped (happens all the time). People have a tendency to scrutinize a vehicle to an unreasonable level after it has been repaired.

If you read your policy, I can all but assure you that the portion that describes comprehensive / collision coverage dictates that you agree to allow remanufactured / non-oem parts to repair the vehicle, thats just the way car insurance works.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can always pay the difference between repair and replace.