Had a Suburban rear end my '09 while I was sitting still, was around $2400 same kind of damage. Would have been half that for the bumper and hitch but it chipped the bed paint and being razor red they had to paint the whole side of the truck. Worked out good for me as the PO appeared to have tangled with a tree on part of that side of the bed previously.

Also since it was done at a Ford dealer it comes through on the carfax as a service, so technically no accident history.

Good point on the rental, I was only suppose to have one for 2 days so I took a Mazda 6, turned out to be over a week and should have waited for a truck as I needed one during that time.

 

Robb!! Sorry to hear that my friend! Glad to hear however that you are ok. Hopefully there is no underlying damage.

 

Man that's awful but I'm glad no one was seriously hurt. I think the cobalt looks marginally better after the mods.

 

Thanks guys.

Update:
The appraiser came out to look at the truck last Thursday. I specifically said that I wanted all OEM parts. When I got the appraisal, it listed non-OEM parts so I called and gave him an ear full. The repair shop I'm working with is willing to do battle with the insurance company on my behalf, and he won't settle for anything less than perfection on the repair (he worked on my mom's f150 when she wrecked it last year).

I'm sure this will be like pulling teeth, but I'm ready for it.

Thanks again for the kind words guys, will keep you posted.

 

Good luck Robb, I don't think you'll be successful unless you're willing to foot the bill for the difference in price. Most insurance policies nowadays are written so that they only cover OEM parts when the truck is new or one model year old. If the policy doesn't cover it you won't likely get them to cover OEM parts no matter how much you fight for it.

OEM parts are worth fighting for though.

 

They will use OEM if they cannot find any used parts out there.

 

I don't think they're likely to use old parts. I've never heard of an insurance company repairing a newer vehicle with used parts. There are lots of brand-new aftermarket repair parts available, and they are known for not having the same fit and finish that OEM parts do.

 

Nationwide uses salvaged parts.
How do I know? My wife's 09 TSX was rear-ended in June. Nationwide fought for me to have Acura parts used. As a result the offender's company sourced an OEM rear end and it was painted to match.

 

All insurance companies do this all the time. I've put used and aftermarket parts even on new model year vehicle with even less then a thousand miles on them. In the insurance companies eyes once you sign the dotted line on the title work the vehicle is no longer new. Therefore it's fair game. I've also seen more now then ever before where the insurance companies write for used or new aftermarket parts and the dealership that the body shop uses will price match the cost of the aftermarket or used parts, then the insurance companies see that the parts were price matched with new o.e. and they have a fit. My shop has lost a couple of their direct repair agreements with a few as a result.

 

When the hood on my Expy was replaced, (pre aluminum repair) the Ford body shop said that they were required to do a salvage yard search for a replacement hood before ordering a new hood.

I'd rather have an OE used part then a new aftermarket.

Not sure what else was damaged besides your bumper Rob, but these bumpers are cheap junk from the factory anyway. I can't see an aftermarket part being of any less quality when talking bumpers.

 

Yep same thing happened with my wife's G37s when someone backed into her car in a parking lot. We did end up getting brand new OEM parts because aftermarket and salvage were not available.

 

Ford does not own Mazda. They are strategic partners.

 

Quick update:

After a battle back and forth with the insurance company and appraiser, they finally agreed to cover the exhaust system., The shop I want to use got a bit booked up with winter related accidents. Going to wait for him to free up so he can take his time.

Going to put a call into the at-fault party and give them a heads up that I will be seeking a rental car during this period.