I cracked the fiberglass widebody flare on my Rocket Bunny BRZ. I took it to three “in-network” body shops recommended by my insurer. They all refused the work. “We don’t do custom fiberglass,” they said. The one custom shop that would do it charged $150/hour, but my insurance only authorized the “prevailing rate” of $60/hour. I was stuck paying the difference.
Key Takeaways
- The “Prevailing Rate” Cap: Insurers pay only the average labor rate for the area (for example, $60 per hour). However, custom bodywork requires specialized labor that often costs $120 or more per hour. The policyholder is responsible for paying the difference.
- Fiberglass vs. Steel: Standard estimating software (CCC ONE) calculates repair times for steel. Fiberglass takes 3x longer to shape and fit.
- “In-Network” Shops are Production Shops: They turn and burn collision jobs. They hate custom kits because they kill efficiency.
- Supplements are Key: You need a shop willing to fight for “Specialty Labor” classification on the estimate.
The “Why” (The Trap): Labor Rate Limits
The policy says: “We will pay the reasonable and customary amount.”
They define “reasonable” by surveying shops that fix Toyota Camrys.
They do not survey “Custom Hot Rod Shops.”
Therefore, their offer is always 50% lower than what a real custom shop charges.
[IMAGE: Estimate comparison: Insurance offer ($60/hr) vs. custom shop invoice ($60/hr) vs. custom shop invoice ($150/hr) ]
The Investigation: I Called Them
I tried to get a Rocket Bunny kit fixed.
1. Geico (Standard)
- Response: “We have a list of approved shops.”
- Result: None of the approved shops would touch it. Geico then said, “You can go anywhere, but we cap the rate.”
2. Custom Shop Owner
- Insight: “I don’t work with insurance. I bill you. You get reimbursed what you can. I charge for ‘Custom Fabrication,’ not ‘Body Labor’.”
3. Hagerty
- Response: They are used to fiberglass (Corvettes/Kit Cars). They are much more likely to approve the higher “Specialty Labor” rate if you provide proof of the shop’s expertise.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Production Body Shop | Custom Shop | Insurance Payout |
| Willingness | Low (Refusal likely) | High | N/A |
| Labor Rate | $60 – $80/hr | $120 – $200/hr | Capped at ~$70/hr |
| Fitment Quality | Poor (Gap issues) | Excellent | N/A |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Find the Shop First: Don’t call the insurer yet. Find a shop that has installed this specific kit before.
- Get a Detailed Estimate: The shop must break down the hours for “Fiberglass repair,” “Contouring,” and “Test fitting.”
- Negotiate “Specialty” Rate: Argue with the adjuster: “This is not standard collision repair. It requires fabrication. You must pay the specialist rate.”
- Accept the “Balance Billing”: Be prepared to pay the extra $1,000 yourself to get it done right. A bad fiberglass repair looks wavy and cracks in a month.
FAQ Section
Can I just buy a new fender?
Often yes. Fiberglass is hard to fix. It is usually cheaper (in labor) to buy a new part, if you can get just one piece of a kit (rare).
Is the widebody kit covered?
Only if you declared it on your “Modified Vehicle” or “CPE” endorsement. If you didn’t, they owe you a stock fender.
What if the paint doesn’t match?
Custom pearl/flake paints are hard to match. Ensure the estimate includes “Blend into adjacent panels.”