My IS-F got backed into in a parking lot, it was a hit & run, no idea who the driver was so I'm having to put in a claim through my own insurance company. The bumper needs to be replaced (has 3 broken mounting tabs), as well as one of the headlights which has a cracked lens. The other headlight was also shoved back, but the lens wasn't cracked, and upon removing the bumper it turns out one of the mounting tabs is broken. The insurance company only wants to cover $100 to have the tab repaired with epoxy rather than replace the entire headlight.

They covered a whole new bumper due to broken mounting tabs, but not the headlight?? Obviously they're trying to save money since the headlights are listed at $1,200/ea, but if my car is damaged by someone else shouldn't the insurance company cover the cost to get it back to the condition it was before the damage - i.e. a new headlight rather than one with a tab epoxied back into place? One of my concerns is if it's epoxied back together it is possible that it may come apart in the future, resulting in a headache to get it fixed again. Also, a brand new headlight on one side isn't going to match an 8 year old headlight on the other side - and while "matching parts" is normally not any concern of theirs, it's just another thing on the list of why I feel it should be replaced rather than repaired. I argued all of these points with my adjuster but he wouldn't budge.

Before calling in and complaining I wanted to get some feedback from others who may have been through getting a broken headlight repaired/replaced by insurance. Thanks in advance!

(I posted in this on the IS-F page as well, but figured I'd post here too since it's a general question and this page tends to have more activity).

 

That sounds like crap to me. Call them and explain what they're requesting you do is that right. You had a perfectly good, working headlight with ALL tabs before the accident; they need to make it whole again.

 

Better Call Saul.

But in all seriousness, the insurance needs to pay for a new headlight. Gluing it back together will not work.

 

Did they pay for an OEM of aftermarket H/L? recent accident I had in parking lot (other person's insurance), insurance refused to get anything OEM eventhough I fought tooth and nail with Progressive. They did get some parts as OEM overstock but the bumper and H/L they insisted on A/M. The aftermarket HID/AFS headlight is $750 already. I had a small crack on the side fender bracket, which I pointed out to insurance. Once I took the H/L off, the top fender bracket/clip was also broken.
The A/M bumper cover wasn't much less than an OEM so I didn't fight it much.

I eventually gave up on complaining and l just took the payout since I was playing to get my 3IS bumper upgrade and do the new LED DRL headlights using A/M stuff anyway.

Most OEM 2IS parts are discounted these days anyways if you find it online. The list price ends up as the profits for the bodyshop anyway.

 

They paid out the one headlight with the cracked lens at the OEM price. I'm guessing they just didn't want to have to shell out another $1,200 for the other one, and instead they gave me 2.0 hours of body labor @ $50/hr for a "tab repair" - so basically $100.

 

All the Liberty Mutual commercials just came to mind.

 

Typical insurance adjuster for you...unless the shop you use asks for a supplement and shows them that the bracket can't be repaired. Keep in mind, there are only like two bolts and that clip in tab at the top that keep the H/L on. So there isn't much that really keeps the H/L attached or fitting correctly.

For me...they claimed that car was "too old" to justify OEM parts.

 

You need to raise hell with your claims adjuster. You way too much for them to nickle and dime you

 

I'm not sure which tab was broken, however Lexus does sell replacement tabs for the headlights and they are an approved repair from Lexus (there are holes on the headlight for the new tab to be screwed into). Not sure if that's what they are actually doing or if they're just trying to glue it back together.

I would push for a new headlight, but at the very least, I would want new tabs installed from Lexus. (If it's one of the tabs they sell).

For example:


Jeff

 

Damn...$30 for this part. Its for the top tab that clips to fender, under the trim. The stock one is pretty weak and poorly designed. At least they came up with a slick way to fix it.

 

I've just removed my bumper and headlights while working my way towards some other maintenance and now I see why my headlight had gaps- the damn brackets are busted....but yes- this thread hits at exactly what I need!!! Thanks!!!!!