Rarely do I write a follow-up to the issues surrounding my financial fiascos with such profound elation. And, you won’t often find me tooting the horn of an insurance company. Today, I’m blogging on both regards. If you follow this blog, you’ll find my story about “Financial Curses of Those with Poor Credit” – wherein I related the chronicles of my very expensive month due to huge car repair and auto accident bills. These were of course, all children related, and ranged from a cracked head gasket (son’s car) to an obliterated passenger window (daughter’s car) to a car accident (son with head gasket repair, wrecked my car).
Sigh. Perhaps I wasn’t smart enough to keep my kid from driving my car, but I was clear-headed enough to have full coverage insurance on the vehicle.
I’m insured with Nationwide. This is a new policy, by the way, since I was fed up with Safe Auto’s treatment. I made the switch in August. I strongly suspect Nationwide is becoming fed up with me, due to claims recently, but I’m lovin’ them.
Due to my credit, I am far down the rung even on the Nationwide chain, qualifying for their “Victoria” program, which I suspect is for those with “down in the dungeon” credit scores. But, pleasantly, nothing about their treatment of me gives me reason to feel like a lesser customer.
Here’s where I’m elated to be part of Nationwide, they have a plan to reduce my deductible. Instead of paying the standard $500.00, I’m being reimbursed $382.00 of that amount. This means my nearly 3K accident only cost me $118.00. And I have rental coverage during my car’s repair on this policy, too.
How did I save this dollar amount? I’m cheap. Much to the horror of the auto body shop’s store manager, I shopped online for used parts, figuring I couldn’t save on labor, but I could surely save on the 25% stocking fees charged by the body shop for the same parts. I found used doors at nearly half price (new these same doors were $764.00 each). I have a 2005 car, its unlikely even the “new” parts are freshly being churned out by the automaker today. It’s not like they have an expiration date or anything, is it?
The used parts came from an approved body parts dealer that my insurance company works with. In fact, Kevin, my agent called around and found me two doors even cheaper. Nationwide either has amazing customer service or I’ve really lucked out with my agent. When you allow used parts to be installed on your vehicle, after a claim, Nationwide’s program splits the savings with the customer.
Apparently, according to Kevin, most people don’t take advantage of this program. Maybe more people should know about it, huh?
Once I pay my $500.00 deductable to the body shop, Kevin will turn around and cut me a refund check. My half of the savings is $382.00. I’ve saved on paying those nasty stocking fees, gotten approved and guaranteed parts (free of Bondo, or structural flaws) and I also got to watch the body shop guys face sink when he realized he wasn’t going to get a pricey markup for new parts. With an out of pocket of $118.00 (after my refund) I’m quite thrilled. Investigate your agency for programs similar to this. If you’re on a budget, saving this much can be real life saver. If you are contemplating switching agencies, take my plug for Nationwide. I’m the stingiest of folks and they make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Check your options now, before faced with your own financial crisis.