Last week some irresponsible oaf without insurance slammed into my 2006 Magnum SXT AWD while it was parked in front of my house. There was considerable damage to the left qrt panel, left rear door, rear axles, suspension, shocks, brake, tires, a taillight--and that was what was visible. The tow driver, after getting underneath and seeing some frame damage and other bits and pieces that were suspect, was pretty certain that the car might be totalled. I had it towed to a reputale Dodge dealership out side of the insurance's network. The dealership shop called the next day and gave me their estimate of $11,500 (parts, paint, and labor) and they too belived it might be totalled sine the car's retail value is about $14,500. Well, the Allstate adjuster says $7700-9500 should be the cost of repairs and that the shop will have to use some salvage parts and I'm a bit leery of that. I don't think I have any other optiuons but to get it fixed.

I'm very suspect of Allstate now as 2 years ago when my wife hit a deer with her Montana van and we took it to an Allstate-recommended shop, the work was inferior (her hood didn't get aligned properly, the paint wasn't a good match, and the salvage headlights they put in were cross-eyed and dim, they replaced the AC condensor, but not the damaged compressor claiming it was OK even though it was clacking when it hadn't been before the deer hit). I didn't complain as the car was 5 years old and we planned to keep it only another year or so.

I've had my cars insured with them for over 20 years and in the distant past they had always done right by me, but lately the good hands are just in my pocket.

Any recommendations?