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Auto Insurance Claims/Water damage question

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Expert: webfoot - 8/28/2007


Question
Two weeks ago, my town had a very heavy rain. The storm sewers clogged, and water went into my apartment building's underground garage. The water was 12 to 15 inches deep (I have pictures) and my car was soaked. My car is a 2007 Hyundai Elantra, only 7 mos old. Per my insurance company "get an estimate anywhere", I drove it to a local Hyundai dealer with the air bag light on, the trunk opened by itself on the way and the motor did sputter along the way. I signed for an estimate on a Friday. Monday morning, the appraiser called and said the dealer's mechanic said the car "drove fine" and they had already started pulling the carpet out of the car and that they were repairing my car. The appraiser says the water was a level 3, whatever that means....but I know the water was easily 6 inches deep in the vehicle.I have proof that 10 other vehicles in the garage (ranging in age from 2007 to 1994) were totaled on the spot. Two questions: 1) Why did I not get an itemized estimate from the mechanic or an opportunity to get a second estimate? 2) What recourse do I have now?

Answer
Apparently you must have signed an authorization to repair the vehicle.  It is the insurance company's choice as to repair the vehicle to pre-loss condition or pay it's actual cash value.  Unless you can show more damage that according to your own shop, doesn't exist, I'm not sure why you would need recourse.  You have documentation of the damage, what is being done to correct it and as long as the manufacturer is not threatening to void the warranty I don't see a problem here.
Good luck!

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webfoot

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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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