Expert: Ron Cercone - 1/22/2010

Question
I had an accident in Aug.could not afford ded. at the time..didn't get the car fixed, but did get an est. from my insurance company, as I planned to get it fixed asap.  Check made out to me & credit union.  come january...accident. (both accidents I was moving barely 5 miles an hour, pulling out of a parking spot and leaving a shopping area, waiting behind another car.). question.. I had check signed over for estimate for first accident..(by the way..same area of car hit both times) I had check stamped by credit union to be handed over to repair shop after 2nd accident.  I paid for 2nd repair yesterday with check.  The owner of the auto shop agress that it is my check to get car fixed...I am still having doubts that this is ok, but not trying to get over at all...just want my car fixed!!!  

Answer
Jane,

Well I'm a little lost, but here goes. If you get the car fixed, then the credit union has to sign off on the check. And if you got it fixed for less than the check amount, you get to keep the left over money. The shop does not get the extra money. If you paid the shop with a separate check, you should be able to deposit or cash the insurance checks. Now be aware that the insurance company may not pay for a part to be replaced in the 2nd accident if they already paid for it in the 1st accident and it was unrepaired or replaced before the 2nd accident.