My condolences,and my daily experiences w/integon

[Milanogold@domain.elided]

Greetings Alfisti and Eric H,
    I'd first like to offer my condolences on your unfortunate accident,your
GTV6 shouldn't be totalled....................
      I work in the car rental industry (we do almost 100% insurance
replacement rentals.) I see lots of cars that you would think should be
totalled be rebuilt to better than new condition.I also work quite a bit with
insurance companies,since 95% of our cars rented to customers are paid for by
insurance companies.I have dealt some with integon insurance in day to day
business........Here's some tips to use when dealing with them.
1.Integon is a "no name" type insurance company,in my experience.Theyr'e
cheap;They tend to fight tooth and nail with people when trying to get things
done, and try to get customers to pay for rentals and then the company will
reimburse you.That's the way they operate.You should have NO out of pocket
expenses due to this wreck and if they try to pull this sh** on you,remind
them that you did not choose to be placed in this situation.Get ugly with them
from this point.. Remember, one of THEIR customers hit you.
                   You should be allowed the choice of where you want your car
fixed.They'll try to steer you to one of their "recommended shops",which
generally means the shop is working hand in glove with Integon and will do
whatever the insurance company says.At your
expense...................................................                

               Beware of their suggested use of "aftermarket",or "quality
replacement" parts when you get the estimate from their adjuster.Those two
buzzwords mean "junkyard" parts,as cheap as they can get them.Specify new
parts (AR Ricambi, Centerline, Mastro Alfa) for your car;or, if those aren't
available, inform them that you want the parts to come from a place that you
trust.I have seen doors with rusted out sills being used for crash repair.Make
certain if the impact was forceful that the seat belts are replaced (the ones
that had passengers/driver in them, they did stretch and need to be
replaced)100% of insurance companies do not replace seat belts;this is one
item they "sneak past" an unsuspecting customer, and they save a few hundred
dollars.I speak from personal experience on this one, USAA bought my father in
law a few hundred dollars worth of seat belts,but they tried not to.  
2 HOUND THEM UNMERCIFULLY.....Remember, their insured hit you.Make certain
that the adjuster knows that you expect nothing less than a car in the exact
condition it was in before the accident, and nothing less is
acceptable.Adjusters and estimators will try to save their company as much
money as possible.As the consumer it's your job that they make sure the car is
done properly.........And they WILL try to pull a "fast one" on you in one way
or another.I see this being done daily. 
G****(5 letters, sound's similar to "geeko.") is famous for pulling fast ones
on its customers,integon is a much smaller company with much more shallow
pockets.
3.Choose a good body shop.Disregard whatever the adjuster says is a good
shop;his concept of a "good shop" is one that does stuff cheap and
quick.Adjusters in some companies get bonuses for body shop
referrals.............Buyer beware.Talk with local Alfisti with suggestions
for a good alfa friendly bodyshop.Alfas are different from your usual body
shop repair;most shops in my area haven't seen,let alone repaired an alfa in
5-10 years.
4.With the impact it sounds like you took, most definitely those Sperry heads
came loose =).Tell them that the car isn't running like it should;have it
checked at (and specify!)an Alfa repair shop.If you can produce records of
buying the heads (Hmmmm>>>>)they might just have to replace
them.......................  
5.Go and get yourself checked out at a local hospital.May sound silly,might
sound like your'e trying to be an ambulance chaser;but after the wreck I had
and the ensuing pain I had afterwards, better safe than sorry.The insurance
company  will pay for this too. 
    I hope this helps you and all Alfisti with the misfortune of being on the
receiving end of other peoples cars.I also hope that I have not offended
Alfisti who might work in the insurance industry;but "I call it like I see it"
and this is what I see daily.Apologies in advance. 
Terry Akins
Alexandria,VA
1987 Milano Gold "Alfie"
1979 Alfetta Velocissima "Lazarus"

------------------------------

End of alfa-digest V7 #505
**************************