QuestionDear Mike,
Thank you for generously contributing your time and expertise to answer so many questions. I would be very grateful if you would consider my questions!
When my 2004 metallic red camry was in an accident, Geico and their body shop said they would replace a fend and repaint the entire hood (which receuved some scratches).
When I went to pick up the car, however, the hood had not been repainted. It had only been "blended? and clear coated. The hood scratches had not been filled, just painted over. Because the scratches were not too bad, the hood does not look bad - but it is not perfect, and not what was agreed.
If the hood is now repainted, will the extra thicknesses of paint and clear coating be likely to cause problems like cracking due to the repeated heating and cooling of the hood? How much weight will the added coats add to the hood? At this point, I wonder if it would be better to just accept the substandard repair, and ask for the cost difference, rather then have them do the whole thing over.
If I decide to accept this substandard repair, what is the cost difference between what they did and painted the whole hood? The repairs are being paid for 100% under the policy of the person who hit my car, and they have Geico. Geico told me that I am not entitled to get OEM Toyota parts. They replaced the fender and fender liner with "CAPA" parts. Since I am not their customer, is what they said true - that they are required to use oem replacement parts? My Camry had only 33k miles on it.
Thank you again for considering this, and hopefully for the favor of your reply!
Harry
Answer You should get a lifetime warranty from the body shop and Gieco, if they sent you to one of their shops so it should not matter how much paint is on the hood, although, three layers is close to the limit.
The only time the insurance companies are required to use OEM is when the car is less than a year old and twelve thousand miles or less on the car, at least that's what it is here in Michigan. CAPA parts are supposed to be exact duplicates and are usually pretty close.
