[Givantsbluebaby]

Last weekend, i was rear ended by some dumb teenager driver with permit and her dad. She pretty much destroyed my rear bumper along with the brackets that hold the bumper and the plastic bumper guards. she also hit my left exhaust, breaking it in the process. the anyhow i called their insurance the next day and gave all the information along with the police report, when the appraisal guy came to see my car he looked at all the damage and said that i would even get a cosmetic damage boost due to the fact that she hit me over the curve and scraped my rim.

everything was okay until the claim adjuster called me yesterday. He told me that they would send me a check for the damages and that i could go to any shop i want, to do the repairs. they thing that i do not see as fair is that they only want to give me 707.00 dollars, and if there is any extra damages that the appraiser didnt see they would send the rest to the shop.

what can i do to get them to send me the money up front? i have an estimate from the shop, it came out to 1220 dollars and that is with the oem rear bumper not the 300 dollar aftermarket one that i use to have.

 

[Pockets]

Call your insurance company, they will usually deal with these sort of situations for you.

 

[Subpath]

also take your car to 2 separate body shops and get estimates. then let your insurance company know the costs. Count in your rim as well.

 

[Subpath]

$700. seems real cheap for a whole new bumper assembly, exhaust bracket and pipe, and a curbed rim, plus how does the adjuster know your front end or rear didnt get messed up form the curb she shoved you into?

 

[Tuff 4.6]

Call your insurance company, they will usually deal with these sort of situations for you.

+1 Laws are different from state to state. I know in Virginia that you have the right to OEM parts, but the damn insurance companies will still try to put junkyard parts and aftermaket "all most fits" on.

Just keep on top of all the repairs and visit the bodyshop (offen) so they know you mean bussiness. Be civil but firm!

 

[wolfman11GT]

What they are doing is illegal, but they all try it unless you get firm with them. Bottom line is you pick the body shop and they pay them.

You don't need to pick the lowest bid. I just went thru this and picked the most expensive. Had to discuss it but once they realized I new the rules I got my way.

A reputable body shop will now all this and any slight differences for your state.

 

[Givantsbluebaby]

good to know am gonna call those pricks

 

[CarlinPhoenix]

Ask around for referals to a good body shop. If you don't know anyone who can recommend one personally, check the internet for feedback on local shops.

You don't have to use the cheapest shop. You have the right to have the car restored to "pre-accident" condition, including your aftermarket upgrades. Most good body shops will deal with the insurance company, directly, to settle the claim.

Do not simply sign the paperwork and cash the check, as you are likely agreeing to "settle the claim". Find a loacal shop who does good work (and warranties it) and let them work with the insurance company, directly.

Good Luck.

Carl

 

[stars]

First off you shouldn’t be trying to deal with a hostile insurance company on your own if you don’t have legal expertise. They’ll screw you at every turn, and they’re pros at it. The $700 is just a buy off to screw you out of the true cost. You should turn it over to your insurance company and let their lawyers fight it out with the hostile’s lawyers. That way you’re in the clear and just go and get your car fixed according to your insurance company’s policies/state laws and let them sue the other insurance company about the bill.