My 330xi got keyed in downtown DC a few weeks ago -- left front and rear doors. I have a $300 deductible with USAA, who said they'd cover the new paint job. They gave me a list of their "preferred" shops in the DC area, which means (a) I wouldn't have to submit a claim (they'd just take care of everything), and (b) USAA would guarantee the quality of the paint job.

I'm new to the area, and after some poking around, there are a few shops that seem to get a lot of raves (Wagonwerks, Kurz, etc.). But these places are not on the list USAA gave me.

So I thought I'd recreate their list here and ask if anyone has ever heard of any of these places or would recommend them for a new paint job. Or should I just go to one of the other places, let USAA pay for it, and not deal with their "preferred" spots? I already checked out the parked list of recommended shops, and none of them are on the USAA list.

Thanks for any thoughts. This is actually the first car I've ever owned on my own, so I'm an idiot when it comes to getting a car fixed and dealing with auto insurers. Here's the list:

Hannigan Auto Body
Selim Rd., Silver Spring, MD
301-589-2260

Pohhanka Collision Center
Arlington
703-671-3953

Specialty Auto Body
Arlington
703-525-5352

Auto body dimensions
Bethesda
301-657-1621

Marlowe Auto Body
Temple Hill, MD
301-423-4444

Morgan’s Auto Body
Capitol Heights, MD
301-808-0060

Koons Collision
Marlowe Heights, MD
301-423-2200

Ourisman Dodge & Import
Alexandria
703-329-8600

Pohhanka Collision
Alexandria, VA
703-751-5535

Koons Ford Body Shop
Falls Church
703-241-7299 x01507

Auto Craft Body & Paint
Alexandria
703-823-1907

Falls Church Auto Body
Falls Church
703-237-8166

My 330xi got keyed in downtown DC a few weeks ago -- left front and rear doors. I have a $300 deductible with USAA, who said they'd cover the new paint job. They gave me a list of their "preferred" shops in the DC area, which means (a) I wouldn't have to submit a claim (they'd just take care of everything), and (b) USAA would guarantee the quality of the paint job.

I have USAA as my carrier. I am pretty sure that you will have to still submit a claim. The only difference in my experience is that they just trust the word of the shops adjuster, as opposed to sending their own adjuster out.

The body shop that I use (my wife can't drive), used to be a USAA preffered shop. Two times ago they used the shops adjusters quote. Sometime later USAA dropped them due to not doing enough business w/them. The last time I was ther USAA had to send out their own adjuster, and they bargained w/the shop about what gets replaced etc.

Hope that made some sort of sense :dunno

You don't have to go with what's on their list. I had my car repaired at Color Crafters, based on a recommendation from a friend. They spray Glasurit which comes with a lifetime guarantee. They do work for the BMW dealer nearby.

Wagonwerks is past its prime. They are living on a reputation from 5+ years ago that they no longer deserve. I've heard of as many complaints now as praise.