[glennmax]

1- Get repair quotes from at least (2) dealer body shops to share with insurance adjuster. The dealer body shops will be expensive quotes (don't worry). The other guys insurance adjuster will low-ball the amount.
2- Receive check from insurance payout after negotiating the highest amount possible (good luck)
3- Then get the best NON-dealer body shop around to agree to an amount to fix your Golf. This should cost less than the insurance check amount.
4- Spend the extra money on tint, or wheels, or anything you will enjoy.

Why?
The person who hit you has blemished the history of your car ( resale value )
No matter how nice the repair work is, your car history is branded.
Spend the extra money you fought for on something you will enjoy while owning the car.
The other guys insurance company will try very hard to pay you just barely enough to get your car fixed. That's it. The expensive quotes will help you win the fight for as much money as possible.

 

[glennmax]

The lesser of the two dealer body shop quotes will still be higher than an independent body shop. GUARANTEED. The "new" or "hidden" damage does not have to be overlooked during the the quote process. Ask questions during and after the quote. Slow them down and don't let them rush. Did they examine the suspension components? This is the "new" damage he knows they will find. So, have them find it.
For motivation, think of the car value that has been taken from you and will not be paid.
A 20 year pro could probably elaborate on the usually damaged suspension parts they find during the body repair.

The other guys insurance company will try very hard to pay you just barely enough to get your car fixed.
It will sound like this, "Just take your car to the shop you want it fixed at period."

 

[glennmax]

… so I am looking for any advice you guys have on dealing with the repair process. Thanks.

Sportriderseattle,
Please do not take this personally, or the wrong way.
Your confrontational opinions of my posts in studhilo’s thread are not what were asked of all of us.

Please remind yourself that this is a public forum for turbo diesels.

I would never give advice or recommendations on something that I am not a pro about and I suggest you doing the same.

By your doctrine, if a member of myturbodiesel asks about how to buy tires or modify their car, only someone with tire industry expertise or a certified automotive mechanic should reply with advice or recommendations.
You should not limit your advice or recommendations within this forum to topics that are solely within your profession.
There are other specific forums for professionals.
insurance-forums.net , accidentreconstruction.com

I will continue to feel free to contribute any of my thoughts to any thread within myturbodiesel.com.
1- Because I own one.
2- This is a public forum.
And, I suggest you do the same.
I will add, please refrain from bashing other members you disagree with.
That behavior is unfriendly.

 

[glennmax]

anic: .........

 

[glennmax]

If you haven't already, talk with the claims person from your company...

In my non-expert opinion, this is expert advice.

Does your police report state that you are at fault?
You do have a police report, right?:umm

Story:
In December my old truck was hit (total loss) by an another driver (fled the scene, suspended license, no insurance) He was arrested later that very day after hitting 2 parked cars while fleeing police. Anyway, the insurance company of the owner of the car (girlfriend of the driver), got my phone number from the police report. They started calling me. They had questions they wanted answered. They were very impolite. I suggested they speak with (1) their insured owner, (2) my insurance claims agent and (3) read the police report. I hung-up. I stopped answering their calls. My insurance company wrote a big fat check for the total loss, even though my police report said I was not at fault, and is dealing with the other insurance company to get compensated.(probably to this day)

Short version; You do not have to speak to the other drivers insurance company. That will most likely be very unpleasant.
Let your insurance company, the one you have been paying for 20 years, do all that for you. They are experts.
Position your insurance company's claims agent in between you and the other driver's insurance company. :thumbsup

 

[glennmax]

Glad your insurance company has satisfied you thus far.

It will be awhile before the body shop tells you your car is done and ready.
When they do, since your car has damage near the hatch and rear passenger door, they may have removed the rubber door seals to do the body work. They will put them back on, but they may not work as well as they did when new.
You will want to test if the rubber door seals are still rain-proof and do not produce wind noise because of an excess body to rubber seal gap.
You can do this without getting wet, going to a car wash, or driving at 120 mph. Some people call it "the dollar bill test"

Also, you said your passenger rear suspension is "crooked."
After the repair is complete and you get to drive again. If the body shop has not already done so, you should have your car's wheel alignment checked to be sure it is within specification. Read this little article;
http://www.ehow.com/how_2107_diagnose-alignment-problem.html

Please be advised. I'm no expert.
Have a nice day.
Glennmax

 

[glennmax]

...Meanwhile I am enjoying (not reallly) driving around in my Chevy Aveo rental.

I would definitely miss my Golf if I were driving an Aveo rental.
The end of next week can't come soon enough, right?

Tip:
When the paint is dry, look for how well they color-matched the repair area to the stock paint using sun light. Don't compromise this point and don't let the paint shop.

Below is some information to read before you get your Golf back.
Take a look at it when you're not street racing in the Aveo.

http://www.samarins.com/check/bodycond.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_5619277_inspect-automotive-paint-work.html
http://www.insure.com/car-insurance/repair-quality.html

 

[glennmax]

By the looks of the body shop (clean floor, tidy work areas, high-bay lighting) you are at a good body shop.
The shop should do their best to keep your interior clean while sanding and prepping.
They will clean up after themselves.
Do not be surprised to find little piles of body filler dust in nooks and crannies when they are done. They may miss a few spots. The vacuum nozzle can't fit everywhere. And body filler pretty much becomes a powder when sanded. It gets everywhere.

Almost done.