You are here:

Auto Insurance Claims/Claim Coverage for repairs

Advertisement

Expert: webfoot - 10/3/2006


Question
My wife was involved with a rear end collison last week. The other individual was admittadly at fault. We had our vehical inspected for repairs by 2 different shops who both quoted very similar amounts to fix the damages. After showing the car to the insurance adjuster, they provided a quote and check for the repairs at roughly $500 below the other quotes. We have not signed anything and have done nothing with the check.
Furthermore, both repair shops informed us that the repairs will take 1 weeks time after parts are in; the insurance company gave us a voucher for only 3 days. We need the rental to go to work in on a daily basis.
We have never had an auto accendent before and are fearful that we will be left with the difference between the final repair and the settlement amount.
Where do we go from here ?

Answer
Did the adjuster explain the supplement process to you?  Once you drop off your vehicle and it is torn down, the shop is free to request a supplement from the insurance company for any justifiable parts or labor that are needed.  

Shops always write their estimates in the worst case scenerio which also means the highest possible profit and insuranace companies write the best case scenerio which means not wasting money on unecessary parts or labor.  Through the supplement process they will meet in the middle.  As far as rental, the insurance company only owes for reasonable labor based on the needed repair time.  As your vehicle is drivable, there is no reason why the shop cannot have all of the parts present when you drop off the car.  If they can then show a justifiable reason why more time is needed, this is also negotiable.  

Good luck!

Auto Insurance Claims

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.