Auto Insurance Claims/Claim Payment

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Expert: - 1/7/2011


Question
An insured hit my parked car and did $5000 in damages. That is not disputed, I took it to two bodyshops that the ins company deals directly with to get the estimates. The problem is that I want them to send me a check and they are insisting that I take it to a bodyshop to get it fixed and they pay the bodyshop. Shouldn't they have to pay restitution directly to me if that's the way I want it?
Thanks!!

Answer
Hi David,

I'm not sure what state you live in but, in many states an insurance company is required to protect the interests of a lienholder. If you have a loan on your car the lienholder is named as an additional insured. So the insurance company must make any claim check out to you and the lienholder or you and the bodyshop to insure that the vehicle will actually be repaired.

If there is no loan on the car then you can insist that they make the check payable to you only.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh

Auto Insurance Claims

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Richard Hixenbaugh

Expertise

Auto insurance claims procedure, auto coverage, liability issues, auto damage questions, how to deal with the insurance company, loss of use and diminished value.

Experience

I have been involved in the insurance industry for over 25 years. I have experience in underwriting, sales, claims adjusting, auto damage estimating, auto value appraising and diminished value appraising. I have testified as an expert witness over 35 times.

Organizations
Society of Certified Auto Appraisers

Education/Credentials
Completed all required courses for the Florida Property-Casualty agents license and the Florida claims adjusters license. I have attended various courses on auto damage estmating, vehicle appraising and am ASE certified in collision damage analysis.

Past/Present Clients
My company has done work for consumers nationwide.

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