Hi Guys,
I was in an accident last month ( not my fault ), the other insurance co. sent their adjuster out and gave me an estimate for 350.00 less for repairs than the body shop that will be doing the work. I received their check today. Does anyone know what happens next? I dont want the body shop to cut corners, or have to pay out of pocket. Thanks.

 

What insurance company is paying for it? More than likely the shop will just need to show what extra they are doing and the ins co. will pay for that also. I work for State Farm so I really only know how they work

 

I'm with State Farm and my truck is in shop right now. In my case, they were an approved shop and as such they had prior apporval from St. Farm to submit the estimate and start the work. but as the shop owner explained, if they find something more that wasn't shown on the estimate, they just turn it in to justify the work and the insurance will pay for it.

In any case you can bet the shop won't pay. If the repairs are more than the ins. co. pays you'll likely be the one who has to pay any difference so I'd be sure to talk with the shop before handing over a check and/or begining repairs.

In my experience an estimate is just that - an estimate - but a reputable insurer should pay up.

 

I had State Farm insurance when I was in an accident in 06'. They were great. The accident was not my fault either. I had a couple of choices as to whether State Farm would pay the body shop and then go after their money, or I would pay and go after my money from his insurance co. I chose to have State Farm pay the bill and let them go after the other guys insurance. It's a good thing I did because the other guys insurance canceled on him the day of the accident. He wasn't covered. There was 3rd party involved and he is STILL chasing his money.
Talk with your insurance rep. Smokin Lariat makes a good point, if they go over, you may be responsible. Did you sign anything with the insurance co. that issued you the check? If you did, then $350.00 is probably all you have to work with.

 

Normally with body damage and things, they do not do a release, meaning you sign this and that is all the money you get, alot of times an estimate written by the insurance co is short because parts they find may have to be bought for different prices or whatever, so their estimate is just a prelim and they expect more money to have to be paid out, just be sure that the extra money is something they can justify and their should be no problems. I know from working auto claims some shops may charge like $40 an hour for body work or whatever and ins co. may pay $35 because that is the average market area price, so I would check that first.

 

Hire an outside adjuster to look at the truck. His/her fee is usually paid by the other insurance company. This will help you get the most for the repair. Good luck!

 

Thanks for all the help, I will be calling the bodyshop on Monday and will let him know that they sent a check. The other insured was thru State Farm. The truck is still in my driveway, waiting on an appointment.

 

I just went through this with an insurance company after a dog ran out in front of my wife and did $1900 in damage to our 05 Focus. The insurance company (the home owners insurance for the owner of the dog) said that they will only pay 85% of our claim because we, my wife, is 15% at fault for just being on the road. It was the biggest mess of horse_____ that I have ever seen or heard. I even contacted our lawyer to see what he could do and he said that yes they can do it, but 99% of insurance companys don't. We just got a check for $1640ish. Lucky for me the owner of the body shop is a good friend of mine. He said that the amount that we got will cover materials, parts and his cost of the labor. He said that the $270 that we were shorted was just going to cut into his profit, he said that he was still going to make money, but just not as much as he would have otherwise.

 

o i forgot the law where your not allowed to use the road. doh!

 

My thoughts exactly!! I was so POed when ever I would talk to the insurance company that my wife didn't want to be around me. Also was the fact that it took almost 4 months to get money out of them!! More than one time I wanted to reach through the phone and ring the adjusters neck.