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Auto Insurance Claims/Questions Answered by Expert Barrett Smith
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Indiv. caused accident; lies, said I was responsible | 5/20/2012 |
| Q: I was about to turn into my driveway on the way home from shopping when a very large Suburban-type ... A: Catherine, Let me begin by apologizing for the delay in responding to your question. I was preparing ... | |
| hail damage | 5/10/2012 |
| Q: I purchased a truck in 12/11 and on 04/12 we had a hail storm . Dealer making repairs says they ... A: Andrew, Yes, there is an options, and yes, your vehicle will lose value due to the loss related ... | |
| Liability in accident including a third car | 5/3/2012 |
| Q: I was involved in a motor vehicle accident that included an additional car. I was crossing the road ... A: I agree! God is Great...all the time! I'm glad that it worked out well for you and only hope the ... | |
| Reimbursement for diminished value | 4/29/2012 |
| Q: Last week I left my 2008 MB at authorized MB dealer with a minor issue with the electronic. Few ... A: Mark, Thanks for your question. The answer to your question depends on numerous answers to other ... | |
| Claims Processor exam | 4/21/2012 |
| Q: I am not quite sure you can help me here, but it is worth a shot! I am considering leaving my ... A: Joe, because it is State Farm and they will provide training, I am confident you will pass the ... | |
| Claims Processor exam | 4/21/2012 |
| Q: I am not quite sure you can help me here, but it is worth a shot! I am considering leaving my ... A: Joe, Thank you for the question. I have taken a test to acquire my Florida Insurance Claim ... | |
| negotiating settlement - SOL running out | 3/21/2012 |
| Q: I was involved in a rear end collision in 2010. I am disabled and have pre-existing condition with ... A: Nan: First and foremost: I don’t offer or provide legal advice as I am no longer a licensed claims ... | |
| hail damage to 6 month old charger | 3/8/2012 |
| Q: I was at work and we had golf ball size hail go through. It damaged every panel except 1 on my brand ... A: Kristan, Thank you for your question. First, there is no doubt your vehicle will suffer a loss in ... | |
| Liability in accident including a third car | 3/6/2012 |
| Q: I was involved in a motor vehicle accident that included an additional car. I was crossing the road ... A: Clementine, Thank you for the question…I think;-) Let me begin by stating I am not an attorney and ... | |
| slip, side way, and hit from behind during icy snow | 3/2/2012 |
| Q: Smith How are you? Yesterday, I drove in the snow (icy snow) during early evening hour (6:30). My ... A: Ming, I am fine, thank you for asking and thank you for your question. As for the loss and ... | |
| Party at fault's Insurance company claiming car a total loss | 2/29/2012 |
| Q: Good day to you Barrett Smith, I'm located in California, My wife was in a collision on 2/7, my ... A: Dan, I’m glad to hear your wife is well. To answer your question; “Can They Do That” ; Yes, they ... | |
| Party at fault's Insurance company claiming car a total loss | 2/22/2012 |
| Q: Good day to you Barrett Smith, I'm located in California, My wife was in a collision on 2/7, my ... A: Dan, Thank you for the question and I hope your wife was not injured and is doing well. You are ... | |
| Rear ended, responsible party offering me cash. | 2/17/2012 |
| Q: I live in Dallas Tx and on 2/14/12 I was rear-ended by a guy who was driving his girlfriend's car. ... A: John, Thank you for the question. No, I don’t think it was a “trick”. It would appear she’s truly ... | |
| Cash settlement? | 2/15/2012 |
| Q: My car was hit in a parking lot. The person who hit me left a note. The damage on my older car is ... A: Sure...if it’s your property you can forgive the at-fault party, you can accept a cash settlement or ... | |
| Total loss-Auto | 2/1/2012 |
| Q: I was recently involved in an accident (state of Texas- btw) where I was rear-ended by a tractor ... A: Steve, Sorry to hear of your loss but I hope you are OK physically. Because the information you ... | |
| Auto Insurance Claim | 1/28/2012 |
| Q: I was involved in a motor vehicle accident involving three cars, the person found at fault fled the ... A: Carmen, Thank you for the question. Hopefully you don’t, but if you do have resultant injuries, I ... | |
| Time frame for filing a claim on 1 party accident | 1/6/2012 |
| Q: I am in California Esurance is my insurance carrier About 1.5 years ago I was leaving a parking ... A: Candice, Thank you for your question! Without actually reading your policy and withstanding and ... | |
| Whos at fault? | 1/5/2012 |
| Q: I was recently in an accident where I backed into a parked car trying to get out of the way of a ... A: Melissa, Thank you for the question and I’m sorry this happened to you. Understand I am not in law ... | |
| auto insurrance | 11/11/2011 |
| Q: I was leaving my buildings parking lot. it was heavy traffic and I had to wait to make the right on ... A: John, Depending upon the laws in your state, this appears to be a simple issue of 'comparative ... | |
| Trouble disputing a total loss assessment | 11/9/2011 |
| Q: My car was recently hit by an All State customer while parked on the street outside of my home. All ... A: Your welcome Jason but I would suggest whatever they offer you...you can likely get another $500.00 ... | |
| Trouble disputing a total loss assessment | 11/8/2011 |
| Q: My car was recently hit by an All State customer while parked on the street outside of my home. All ... A: The best advice I can provide is to find an expert familiar with Texas law and insurance rules and ... | |
| Trouble disputing a total loss assessment | 11/8/2011 |
| Q: My car was recently hit by an All State customer while parked on the street outside of my home. All ... A: Jason, You have several options but the first is to get an understanding of some basics; 1. Making ... | |
| Minor fender bender in california, no damage done to either car (driving friend's car), insurance called | 10/31/2011 |
| Q: Question for you: I was a party in an extremely minor fender bender in California, if you could ... A: Jon, You may wish to call Farmers to see if they can describe the damages and claim(s) being made. ... | |
| State Farm Won't Reimburse For Repair | 10/29/2011 |
| Q: I bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee last month. Three weeks later, it gets totaled in an accident. Within ... A: Daniel, I understand your position however; insurers and the law generally do see such maintenance ... | |
| damage inspection - industry practices | 10/20/2011 |
| Q: I have a question about what adjusters are allowed and not allowed to do. I was in a accident where ... A: Lisa, No, I don't consider this type of behavior to be consistent with the professional conduct of ... | |
| claim | 9/21/2011 |
| Q: I was in an accident, not my fault. What are my rights as for having my car repaired by the other ... A: Dean, Thank you for your question. Let me begin by letting you know that I am not an attorney and ... | |
| car | 9/15/2011 |
| Q: I got in an accident. The car turned in front of me, my right away. My cat is a 2004 Ford focus ... A: Amanda, Thank you for the question. I believe it the vehicle’s loss/damage history will likely ... | |
| Car accident advice needed, someone hit me? | 8/24/2011 |
| Q: I was in a car accident last October 2010 where I was going straight thru a green light and from the ... A: Josh, My father always told me to not to get attached to a vehicle...I didn't listen so I know ... | |
| Work van damages | 8/9/2011 |
| Q: I own a small plumbing company I was side swiped a few weeks ago and the driver side of my business ... A: Joshua, Sorry to hear you're having issues with the insurer. Understand that I am no longer a ... | |
| Storage Fees | 8/8/2011 |
| Q: My girlfriend was driving my car and was in an accident on 07/28 and I filed the claim immediately ... A: Jeremy, Thank you for the question. Please understand that I am no longer a licensed adjuster or ... | |
| parking lot bender | 8/5/2011 |
| Q: I was at the grocery store I dropped my brother at the front of the store.I than parked in the back ... A: Chad, Thanks for the question. Not knowing what state you’re in I am not sure about any laws ... | |
| storage fees to insurance com. | 7/29/2011 |
| Q: ii bought a car in florida, hired to have it delivered, it was totaled in a wreck coming to ... A: Carl, You didn't provide me much info such as whose insurance is covering the loss...your ... | |
| Can I send a letter to a tortfeasor | 7/21/2011 |
| Q: I was in a rear end collision and the insurance offered policy limits 25,000. My claim is much ... A: While I am not an attorney and cannot provide you legal advice my answer is yes, you, as the victim ... | |
| Air-bag deployment and hearing damage claim | 7/14/2011 |
| Q: I ran over something in the road that caused my driver side airbag to deploy. There was not an ... A: Melissa, Thank you for your question and yes, you can make a claim for loss related injury. State ... | |
| Work van damages | 7/9/2011 |
| Q: I own a small plumbing company I was side swiped a few weeks ago and the driver side of my business ... A: Joshua, Thank you for your question. Understand that we all have a duty to try and mitigate costs ... | |
| loaned car carjacking felony stop | 7/4/2011 |
| Q: I loaned my car to a friend of mine to pick up relative from the local bus station. En route my ... A: Matthew; You have little to be concerned other than the proper cleaning and eradication of the ... | |
| Total loss | 6/30/2011 |
| Q: I was involved in an accident where a semi rear ended me causing me to spin around on the freeway. I ... A: Veronica, thank you for your question! While I'm not aware of where you reside or the laws of your ... | |
| insurance deductible re stolen vehicle causing damages | 6/28/2011 |
| Q: Another driver damaged our vehicle, reported to insurance. Insurance of other vehicles owner was ... A: In the lower 48 I would say that if the other owner claims the vehicle was driven without their ... | |
| claim | 6/20/2011 |
| Q: I had a minor accident (my car hit the curb) while parking & oil started leaking. Then I drove back ... A: Hey VJ, thanks for the question and while I can't tell you what an insurer will or won't do I will ... | |
| Comprehensive coverage for acts done when mentally incompetent | 6/20/2011 |
| Q: My son spray painted his car when he was in a mentally incompetent state. He doesn't remember doing ... A: this is a good question which can only be answered based upon several issues including; 1. The ... | |
| claims | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: If my wife backed into my car can the insurance company count that as two claims(we are under the ... A: I cannot and do not offer legal advice however I offer this; It is my understanding if you open one ... | |
| car should have been totaled but it was fixed &still having problems! | 6/16/2011 |
| Q: I was in a roll over accident in December of 2009 (my car is a 2008), my car insurance did not total ... A: Danielle, I understand your issues and your concerns. I have found this to be a fairly frequent ... | |
| insurance claim | 6/1/2011 |
| Q: my concern is in 1999 while driving a deer ran in front of my vehicle causing me to hit it. The ... A: Yes; You should call your claims-representative and advise them the draft (check) has been lost and ... | |
| Rear Ended someone | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: I recently rear-ended someone, it was totally my fault. I didn't call the police, and the person in ... A: Mike, Understand I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice. The likelihood of you ... | |
| insurance claim | 5/30/2011 |
| Q: `hello thank you for taking time answer my question i make it short . im costumer with state farm i ... A: Jim, I understand you concerns, and like many, you dread making a claim in fear of reprisal for too ... | |
| Hit and run accident | 5/28/2011 |
| Q: last night a car that was stolen drove onto my yard and t-boned my parked car that was in the ... A: Jared, Thanks for the question and while I do not and cannot provide legal advice; based upon my ... | |
| Motor Vehicle - Motor Cycle Accident | 5/19/2011 |
| Q: Carefully waiting for clear traffic, and pulling very slowly from parking my car on a busy road, a ... A: Kate; Thank you for your inquiry. First of all please understand that I cannot and do not provide ... | |
Auto Insurance Claims
Answers by Expert:
Barrett Smith
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Auto Claim and Collision Repair issues including quality and thoroughness of repair, Diminished Value, Total Loss settlement valuation, Appraisal Clause matters, Expert Testimony, pre-purchase inspections and others. While having been a Senior Claims Adjuster, I am not licensed to practice law and cannot provide legal counsel. I will provide replies as friendly and informal advice based upon my experiences and those of our clients as possible. For more information on our offerings please visit www.AutoDamageExperts.com For more informatin on our offerings please visit www.AutoDamageExperts.com
Experience
I grew up working in a family owned auto body repair business my father owned and operated in Alaska and after leaving the US Air Force I started my own repair facility in Florida. I later became a senior claims adjuster for a national auto insurer and later managed two GM dealership collision centers. I started another shop which was recognized as a "Top Shop" in central Florida for over 15 years winning numerous local accolades and awards such as Business of the Year. In 2001 I developed Auto Damage Experts to provide its services nation wide and to all segments illustrating balance and equity for all ADE clients.
For more information please visit www.AutoDamageExperts.com
Organizations
ASA (Automotive Service Association), SCRS, CCRE and others...
For more information please request CV or visit www.AutoDamageExperts.com
Publications
Local and national publications including but not limited to Auto Body Repair News (ABRN), Body Shop Business (BSB) and others.
For more information please request CV or visit www.AutoDamageExperts.com
Education/Credentials
ASE Master Certified in collision repair/refinishing including damage diagnosis and estimating. Please request CV or visit www.AutoDamageExperts.com
Awards and Honors
As a quality Collision Repair facility owner, we received Top shop, Small Business of the year and other awards and accolades. Please request CV for additional information in this regard.
Past/Present Clients
ADE provides services to all segments including Legal professionals, Consumers, Auto Dealers, Insurers, Governmental and judicial entities.
For more information please request CV or visit www.AutoDamageExperts.com
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