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Auto Insurance Claims/Fraudulent car repairs
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Question
What do I do if I have 100% positive proof that an auto repair shop did not replace the part that they were suppose to replace. I will add they have already billed the insurance company for the work "not" done. To explain a little, I was rear ended while driving my older vehicle. Due to the age the other guys insurance company said they could only replace it with a used part, which I was willing to accept if it worked properly. After so called repairs at the shop that the insurance company told me to go to, I noticed it still did the same thing (broken steering column) I was told that was the best used part they could find. Since it was a steering column, I was told to get rid of my old keys they would give me a new set. After "repairs" I decided it was too similar to my old steering column and tried the spare key I still had...perfect match. So the following day I went back to the repair shop and asked for my old steering column, which they gave to me. I took it immediately to my repair shop that I usually use and they confirmed...the column that I picked up was a salvage part, still had the salvage markings and the key was different than my spare key. He even called the local salvage yard and confirmed that was the part they sold to the shop that did the "repairs".He also looked at my steering column which was still covered in dust and grease from years of being there, also the bolt that holds the steering column on was never touched with a socket or anything(still rusty and covered in grease etc) I just don't know where to go from here. I don't trust that shop to do the repairs, and I feel that they should pay for intentionally frauding me and the insurance company.
You will need to be prepared to obtain the proof that would be admissible in a court of law that the shop actually profited additionally by using the alternate repair method. From your long and involved story, I seriously doubt that this is the case. In fact, it sounds like the likely lost money on the deal considering the cost of time.
The fact that an insurance company was "willing" to pay for a steering column on a rear end collision sounds pretty hokey to start with.
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Answers by Expert:
webfoot
Expertise
Auto damage, liability, insurance fraud. I am a full time auto insurance adjuster with experience in collision, theft, liability and fraud investigation. I am also an ASE Master Auto Tech and I-Car Collision Platinum certified. My experience includes 15 years in the auto repair industry, a B.S. in Criminal Justice, Law enforcement and auto insurance. ****** NO "PRIVATE" QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED. I HAVE FOUND THAT NEARLY ALL PRIVATE QUESTIONS COME FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERING OR ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT FELONY INSURANCE FRAUD AND I'M NOT HERE TO HELP YOU! ****** I AM HERE TO ANSWER AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR, CLAIMS PROCESS AND SOME SIMPLE LIABILITY QUESTIONS. I CANNOT ADDRESS COMPLEX LIABILITY SCENARIOS WITHOUT HAVING ALL OF THE INFO FROM BOTH SIDES IN FRONT OF ME. QUESTIONS ABOUT PREMIUMS OR HOW INSURANCE IS RATED SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO YOUR PERSONAL INSURANCE AGENT WHO KNOWS A WHOLE LOT MORE ABOUT YOUR HISTORY THAN I DO. I'VE NEVER SOLD INSURANCE AND DO NOT KNOW IF YOUR INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE RATES WILL GO UP IF YOU MAKE A CLAIM. THOUGH I'VE HANDLED SOME VERY MINOR SOFT TISSUE INJURY SETTLEMENTS, I PREFER NOT TO ANSWER INJURY RELATED QUESTIONS. I'M NO INJURY EXPERT AND I'LL LIKELY SAY SOMETHING TO HURT SOMEONE'S FEELINGS AS I BELIEVE THAT MANY SOFT TISSUE PAIN AND SUFFERING CLAIMS ARE OVER DRAMATIZED. UNLIKE MANY OTHERS, I AM ON THIS FORUM AS A VOLUNTEER WITH NO PRODUCTS OR SERVICES TO SELL AND PROMISE AN UPFRONT ANSWER BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IN BOTH SIDES OF THE INDUSTRY. IF YOU PROVIDE ME WITH A HONEST VERSION OF EVENTS, I PROMISE A CANDID AND HONEST ANSWER IN RETURN. I CANNOT ADDRESS ALL CLAIM SCENERIOS DUE TO DIFFERING STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, BUT WILL DO MY BEST. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AN HONEST ANSWER MAY BE ONE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE SO IF THAT IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM, PLEASE DON'T ASK THE QUESTION. LASTLY, I DO NOT ACCEPT RATINGS AS I DON'T DO THIS FOR RATINGS AND WISH TO SPEAK FREELY.
Experience
20 years in automotive industry, Currently in insurance claims, worked actively as technician and shop owner until about 10 years ago. Current ASE Master Auto Tech and I-Car Platinum Collision Certifications, B.S. Criminal Justice and 10 year auto insurance/extended warranty background
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