I was originally rear-ended over a year ago and have been battling with the body shop ever since to get it fixed right. Recently my wife was rear-ended for a second time (is anyone else's black SVT invisible from behind)? The second collision involved a second insurance company who didn't want any part of the incomplete first repair - so I had to use the same bad body shop.
Anyway the problem that I'm most worried about now is that the passenger side rear tire is wearing faster than the others. It also seems to "wander" and requires small steering adjustments constantly. It seems to want to pull right most of the time but will occaisionally go left. The body shop swears they've double-checked the alignment. Assuming they aren't lying (which is a huge assumption), is there any way that a car can be properly aligned and still "wander" and pull? How can I diagnose this (I'm VERY willing to take this somewhere else for diagnosis).
As a result of having people run into my car multiple times I think that I can provide the group with some valuable expert advice: First, whenever possible have YOUR insurance cover the claim - if your insurance company is ALLSTATE they will try to talk you out of this (you should change companies before someone hits you). Although you may be out your deductable and charged for a claim you will have them by the balls if the car isn't fixed right. Second, take the car to one of the body shops recommended by your insurance company - if you don't they will try to screw you by saying that you didn't do what they recommended. The body shop will also know this and will also screw you because of it. Third, take the car to another shop after repairs for assessment of the quality of the job. Fourth ,and most importantly, get a list of the shops that your insurance deals with and find-out from people who have used them which ones are good - do this before you have an accident (because the way a lot of people drive, your going be involved in one soon).
Be safe,
Ken in FL
