This Gekko may not be your friend...

[tom4bren]

I used to have State Farm. They were very good to me ... until the divorce. They had my hands tied for over a year paying my Ex's auto insurance. The only way I was able to get out of it was to go delinquent on payments. UGLY.

I now have USAA and love it. That won't help most of you because you have to have ties to the military to get it.

Back on track with the thread: I never had any experience with cheap aftermarket parts but have been forced into used parts on an insurance repair. It all worked out but just "seemed wrong".

[Triathlete]

T4B...you got jacked. There are federal laws that regulate insurance co. that prevent them from "forcing" you you settle for aftermarket parts. It may take more time and be a bit of a PITA but the laws are there to help protect you.
Also you may be surprised at how many VX owners are military or prior military...Semper Fi!

[tom4bren]

Shoulda clarified. Shop was forced to order a used tailgate for an Amigo once but they returned it because of lousy condition & I got a new one anyway.

[Triathlete]

[nfpgasmask]

Nice Madagasy day gecko Chopper...

Bart

[Chopper]

That one is one of the Mad/Mads...I've Grandis, Standings, and a few Leaf Tails.That male was born in 1993, and has sired hundreds of offspring. Still goin' strong. Progressive always pushes for aftermarket, and reconditioned too. Allstate, and State Farm are among the best,(I've had S.F. for thirty years) True...you get what you pay for, but you do not have to accept substandard parts....YOU gotta speak up!

[Trudy Carp]

I am the office manager at a body shop in Colorado. This is my list of the top worst insurance companies that exist. The kind that you would walk or ride a bike if they were the last choices on the planet.

1. Progressive
Never has one insurance company done so much to screw their
customers & anyone they happen to hit. Yep, doesn't even matter if
they aren't your company. As much used and aftermarket crap as they
can find to do a repair. I've seen them keep an insured out of his vehicle
for 3 weeks on a 4 day repair just so they could pay $10 less for a part.
Will not pay any extra freight to get a part quicker, will tell you to get it
from the customer. Most of their policies are written without rental
coverage. Most people dump them after their first claims experience.
2. Allied/Nationwide
Both are the same company & they are NOT ON YOUR SIDE! Recently
made a liability claiment pay the difference between an oem fender & a
genuine Ford one. His truck was 3 weeks new.
3. Geico
Ah yes, the gekko. Another one that wants to use junk parts on a
repair. Get hit by one of their insureds and you will want to kill
somebody. Frequently advise liability claiments to use their own
insurance company, if it's not one of these listed, and let them get the
money back from Geico. You CAN get them to give you a check to cover
your deductable so you don't have to wait 30-60 days for it from your
company after they settle up.

The good guys are: Allstate, Encompass, American Family, Farmers, United
Fire & Causulty, USAA. I will include State Farm, for now. They are in the
process of changing their repair guidelines here in Colorado, so they could
end up on the "bad list" soon. USAA is my favorite.