by "Thunder" (Thunder)
Published 12/04/2017 at 08:55
by "Thunder" (Thunder)
Published 12/04/2017 at 08:55
Tags: Insurance
STARS: 0
TL;DR: Other driver’s insurance offering little more than half the estimates in order to settle claim. Can I get them up to the estimate amount?
A few weeks back, as I was in the conga-line slowly advancing towards the road after dropping my daughter at school, a guy in a Audi Q7 rear-ended me in my Civic Si.
It was a low-speed collision; there was minimal damage to both vehicles. On mine, some scratches, and one maybe one-inch long punch through the bumper cover.
He didn’t want to go through insurance, until I took it to two body shops and got estimates of $660 and $710. Then he changed his tune.
That led to my taking a bunch of pictures and submitting to Allstate through their app... which then led to an offer of under $400.
They say, in effect, “When you take it in to get fixed, if the actual cost exceeds our offer, we’ll amend it to the actual amount.”
My quandary is: I’m not sure I really want to get it done. It *might* be sufficiently hidden by a little bit of filler and some touch-up. But if that doesn’t work, I don’t want to be left having accepted roughly $300 less than the cost to fix it.
Is it reasonable and possible to negotiate with the insurer on something like this? Or perhaps to work with the body shop and see what they are willing to do?
I’m open to suggestions as to how to proceed.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
12/04/2017 at 09:18, STARS: 3
Just have the shop fix it. I don’t find it worth keeping the money and dealing with a blemish that isn’t my fault. Although that sounds quite low of a fix. I know on my Miata getting rear ended was a $1000 fix plus their insurance paid for a rental while it was in the shop. But that was a tailight and bumper cover replacement.
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
12/04/2017 at 09:23, STARS: 0
For what it’s worth, the new “Photo-app” estimating that insurance companies are using is a shitshow.
I had a Santa Fe come in on an Allstate photo app a couple months ago with a $1400 estimate. When I was done fixing it, it was a $4000 repair, and literally the only line from their original estimate that remained unchanged was the “Hazardous Waste Disposal” fee payment.
I’d suggest stopping by the shop you’d like to fix it with a copy of the Allstate estimate, go over the car and the estimate with them, and see what they say. They’ll probably need to supplement Allstate, but Allstate is used to that.
"camarov6rs" (mren2011)
12/04/2017 at 09:27, STARS: 0
If it was truly a rear end hit with you not at fault you can go through either insurance and shouldn’t have to pay anything ( unless state law says otherwise). It’s very common for the insurance company to have an estimate that’s a lot lower than actual cost so they are also used to doing supplements. If you want to fix it they will pay for it.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
12/04/2017 at 09:28, STARS: 1
This is an atempt to save money on their part. They know in minor fender benders a lot of people will never get around to having it repaired. Especially if someone cashes and spends the check. That’s what they hope happens. The few that do, they’ll have to cough up more money. Also, if you get a quote, it will be higher than what Allstate can get it done for. In my recent accident, they steered me to using one of their “preferred” repair facilities. All that means is they have lower agreed upon labor rates than the public gets. In return they bring in more traffic to the shop.
If it was me, I’d get it repaired. But I’m anal. Also, don’t forget to ask for a diminished value payment. If the car has had any paintwork done, the value is diminished compared to before the accident.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
12/04/2017 at 09:31, STARS: 1
Is your insurance involved? The other insurance is hoping you just take the money but since it isn’t your fault, his insurance should be paying every red cent to make the car look like the fender bender never happened.
They already made like $500 on his deductible already and want to pocket as much as possible.
Source: I used to sell insurance for Allstate.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
12/04/2017 at 09:37, STARS: 0
When I put my M3 into a wall Geico gave me a quote which was probably bellow the cost of the repair. I asked them about it and they said that it’s just a quote and regardless of final repair costs, all I would owe was my deducible. If they tell you to bring it to a body shop and they’ll cover it, do just that and you should be just fine.
"Thunder" (Thunder)
12/04/2017 at 09:39, STARS: 0
Good point - I hadn’t even considered diminished value. Thank you!
"Thunder" (Thunder)
12/04/2017 at 09:42, STARS: 0
Makes sense.
This one could buff out... if not for that little poke-through. Because of that, they have to remove the bumper, fix, paint, and reinstall. Hence the cost... and 3 days without use of the vehicle, but with a rental tin-can instead.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
12/04/2017 at 09:46, STARS: 0
We’ve dealt with this twice, including right now with the van. Just let them fix it and be done. Everything’s paid and warranted. You want my pay a cent and your car will be pristine.
"Quadradeuce" (quadradeuce)
12/04/2017 at 09:51, STARS: 0
So the Audi driver would rather pay his $500 deductible and possibly have his rates go up rather than pay you $600-700 cash?
"Thunder" (Thunder)
12/04/2017 at 09:52, STARS: 0
Yup.
Didn’t say it was a smart move on his part.
"Quadradeuce" (quadradeuce)
12/04/2017 at 09:54, STARS: 1
Sounds like the Audi driver can’t really afford an Audi.
"Thunder" (Thunder)
12/04/2017 at 09:54, STARS: 0
To all: this is (part of) why I love this site.
Quick and honest guidance almost instantly.
Thank you for your assistance!
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
12/04/2017 at 10:19, STARS: 1
The other driver has admitted fault and there’s a claim in process with their insurer. While their insurer can try to keep their costs down, mostly by encouraging you to go to a shop they have a contract with, you’re not required to go to one of their shops.
Auto insurers try hardest to nickel and dime individual consumers working directly with them. These claim apps seem oh so convenient but it starts the process of you, the individual consumer, working directly with them, and they have the leverage in this situation.
You need to get someone else involved in dealing with them. This means either someone at your body shop of choice who handles claims, or processing the claim through your insurance and having them subrogate the claim to Allstate, i.e. your insurance covers the cost and they send a bill to Allstate.
The main thing you need to keep in mind is you are not at fault, the other person is insured and has admitted fault. It’s now up to their insurer to make you whole by covering the cost of repairing the car to your satisfaction.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
12/04/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 0
If they can make it good as new, its worth it. I always think that I can just deal with a blemish and would rather have the money, but months later I will just look at it feel regret. I’m not sure how insurance works exactly but I imagine theres a percentage difference between quoted amount and actual amount that would matter. Like if its 80% more than the estimate, I doubt they will just pay it. In that case, I would think you would end up in limbo without your car even longer while the insurance company argues with the shop to make it cheaper. So it would be best to make sure they quote it properly ahead of time.