Tesla Body Shop for my Model Y

[tidmutt]

Hi All,

Have a quick question about using the Tesla body shop.

A couple of weeks ago someone rear ended my Model Y. The damage to the rear trunk hatch was minimal, but still requires repair, maybe even replacement. The guy does have insurance, same company as mine (Progressive). He's asking for an estimate, I suppose so he can decide if we wants to pay outside of insurance or file a claim. I did call my insurance just after it happened and they said if there is no issue I can avoid increasing my rate by simply processing through the other party's coverage.

I submitted a body shop service through the Tesla app, picked a date and waited for them to respond. Tesla then suggested that I need an insurance estimate first and then later claimed that myself (or the other party) need to file a claim first before they can complete the scheduling of my appointment. I've never had this issue with a body shop before, usually you take it in, they do an estimate. Often if they are an approved body shop the estimate is automatically approved by the insurance company.

What gives? Is this how Tesla Body Shop works? How do I just get an estimate for the guy so he can make a choice to file a claim or not?

Note: I did see that the Tesla app listed other Tesla approved body shops in my area, so I could go to them, but liked the idea of my Tesla being handled by Tesla.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance. ?

 

[Crissa]

That is unusual, but they're probably trying to avoid work for if you decide not to repair it.

Tesla tends to treat anything that could waste time as a time waste, even if it's only a slight risk.

?‍

Personally, I'd have just gotten the insurance quote just in case the guy flakes out.

-Crissa

 

[vrpatel]

When I had to get my MYP fixed this past summer, Tesla gave me a list of body shops that were "Tesla Certified" and I had to go through one of those. I also have Progressive. Maybe it's because the Tesla Service Centers here in Missouri don't have collision/body repair. But once they gave me the list it was pretty easy, just like you would any other car. Went in to the bodyshop, they gave me a rough quote, sent it in to my insurance, and then they figured it out themselves with the shop.

 

[swengl]

For body repairs (cosmetics/straightforward body damage like a bent lift gate), do you really have to use a Tesla certified repair shop (for a Model Y)? We only have one in a 200+ mile radius of where I live and, unfortunately, I'm in the same situation.

 

[Crissa]

For body repairs (cosmetics/straightforward body damage like a bent lift gate), do you really have to use a Tesla certified repair shop (for a Model Y)? We only have one in a 200+ mile radius of where I live and, unfortunately, I'm in the same situation.

No, but they're the only ones who are certified to know how to get the parts and deal with the sensors and not hurt the battery.

-Crissa

 

[tidmutt]

That is unusual, but they're probably trying to avoid work for if you decide not to repair it.

Tesla tends to treat anything that could waste time as a time waste, even if it's only a slight risk.

?‍

Personally, I'd have just gotten the insurance quote just in case the guy flakes out.

-Crissa

Thanks Crissa.

Quote from where though? I don't want to file a claim because that will raise my premium which is already expensive. I suppose I could see if Progressive will do a quote without me filing a claim?

I'm just finding Tesla sometimes frustrating, this is a very straight forward process usually, but I went into this with the expectation that they would be difficult, and I was right.

I may just call the service center and see if they can sort it out.

 

[tidmutt]

When I had to get my MYP fixed this past summer, Tesla gave me a list of body shops that were "Tesla Certified" and I had to go through one of those. I also have Progressive. Maybe it's because the Tesla Service Centers here in Missouri don't have collision/body repair. But once they gave me the list it was pretty easy, just like you would any other car. Went in to the bodyshop, they gave me a rough quote, sent it in to my insurance, and then they figured it out themselves with the shop.

That's how I expected it to be, maybe a little tricky since I want to process through the other guy's insurance.

I'll see how it goes, I have this feeling one of the certified Tesla body shop's will be easier to deal with.

 

[tidmutt]

For body repairs (cosmetics/straightforward body damage like a bent lift gate), do you really have to use a Tesla certified repair shop (for a Model Y)? We only have one in a 200+ mile radius of where I live and, unfortunately, I'm in the same situation.

What Crissa said.

I'm not risking my Tesla on some uncertified shop, dealing with an EV is sufficiently different that I want to use only certified shops and hopefully Tesla themselves.

 

[Crissa]

Thanks Crissa.

Quote from where though? I don't want to file a claim because that will raise my premium which is already expensive. I suppose I could see if Progressive will do a quote without me filing a claim?

I'm just finding Tesla sometimes frustrating, this is a very straight forward process usually, but I went into this with the expectation that they would be difficult, and I was right.

I may just call the service center and see if they can sort it out.

If they're going to raise your rate, threaten to leave.

-Crissa