by Guest » Tue Feb 09, 2010 02:39 am
I was side swiped in a parking lot. The other lady admitted fault and her insurance (Progressive) is covering the damage. The sent a gal out to my house that seemed to be very in experianced and struggled to help me. She left the estimate and when I told her I wanted the check, she explained for me to go to a one of 2 shops in my location. When I asked for the check, she asked if I would just cash settle and offered me an extra $100 for my trouble0her words. I refused because I wante my truck fixed. Since I seemed to get the run around from her, I decided to go get another estimate. The shop I went two gave me an estimate that was almost a thousand dollars more, they also told me the estimate was incomplete (missing obvious things) and that the girl had the wrong model and options. I called her today and she seemed to be very frustrated that I didn't go where she told me, and that I was just making more work for myself. She said if I go to these shops she suggests, they would fix it for what she said. I tried explaining to her that her estimate was missing things and the other shops estimate was a lot more. She assured me that these shops would straighten out the confusion (her words) and everything will be fine. I told her that I was uncomfortable and asked why couldn't I just take it to the other shop. She said straight up, that I would have to come up with the money out of pocket if I went there. This doesn't make any sense. If as the other shop said the estimate was missing other parts, are these other shops going to charge me extra or just not do the work. Help!
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 03:08 am Post Subject:
Your right, it does not make sense. You can take the vehicle to _any_ repair shop of your choice and it _should_ be one of your choice. If it's one of their preferred shops, that fine... but it's your choice. You don't need an estimate from them, you simply give them the Progressive estimate and ask them to call Progressive with any additional repairs needed. You should not be required to pay anything out of pocket except betterment (if an old part, subject to wear and tear, is replaced with a new part... such as a tire). They should also either put you in a rental for the repair time or pay you loss of use if you don't get a rental.
If what you stated it correct, it's pretty much illegal. It's also borderline (naw, it is) in bad faith. Who's to say this adjuster is not getting kick backs from those shops for steering people to them. It's not a smart move on the adjusters part. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding.
Also, they should be issuing you payment. It should be made payable to you and only you. They should do this once they have determined the repair cost. The only time a shops name should be on the check is if you agree to use one of their preferred shops.
Adjusters will "miss" parts all of the time. It's normal. They are usually not parts that they over-looked, they are usually parts that they can't see so they allow the shop to tear down the vehicle and determine _exactly_ what needs to be done. For example... your bumper is lightly hit. A shop may just write up replacement of the inner bumper because they _think_ is needs to be replaced. If they are wrong, they will probably still bill you and replace it. Why should an insurance company guess at this when they can simply wait to see what needs to be done. This is what probably accounts for the difference.
I'm also guessing that this adjuster was probably new to writing up estimates.
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 05:15 am Post Subject:
I'm also guessing that this adjuster was probably new to writing up estimates.
I totally agree with tcope. This seems like an absolutely inexperienced adjuster. They cannot insist that you go to the body shop of their choice, they may only suggest. You can take it to any body shop of your choice and get the bill sent to Progressive. However, the other lady's liability will cover up to its limits and the extra dollars need to be paid by you.
tcope, OP can ask the other lady about her limits can't she, and then decide on which body shop to go to?
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 05:47 am Post Subject:
I doubt limits are an issue if the repair bill is under $5000. I can't see a sideswipe being much more then this nor would the adjuster have committed to payment without a release.
I also remembered the $100 offer. I'm betting this was for loss of use. That is, get a rental or not... the adjuster is just cashing the OP out on the rental amount by paying $100. I'm guessing 4 days repair time. Sometimes I'll phrase is close to that... even if you don't get a rental you still are inconvenienced so the $100 is for "your troubles".
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:39 am Post Subject: Repair cost
Even if your estimates are higher, you have the right to choose any repair shop. The insurance company gives you their preferences but cannot force you to make a choice. So you check the policy limits and try and negotiate for a higher amount. However, if you are unable to repair your car within the specified amount, you will have to pay the difference.
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:26 pm Post Subject:
Guest, my advise to you would be, if you feel comfortable with the shop that wrote the higher estimate, take it there. Did they take the time to explain the differences in their estimate and Progressive's? If this is where you want your truck repaired, simply leave it at that shop. The shop will then call Progressive and request a supplement (additional items/repairs inexcess of the original estimate) find out when Progressive plans on reinspecting your vehicle, and be there when it happens. Do not allow either party to negotiate your repair without you being present, even if you do not understand the claims process.
I doubt that this Progressive trainee is recieving kick backs from the shops she suggested you go too. These shops are just preferred shops that Progressive uses. You can take it there, but be careful. Did she really offer you extra money if you would cash settle? :o What kind of truck do you have?
So you check the policy limits and try and negotiate for a higher amount. However, if you are unable to repair your car within the specified amount, you will have to pay the difference.
This has nothing to do with repairing the vehicle. As long as this other shop's estimate/repair is legit, the carrier does not have a choice but to reiumburse the OP for the repairs made at his shop of choice.
Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 04:28 pm Post Subject:
This shop seemed to explain a lot. Insurance stated the vehicle needs the outside of the door. Shop said it needs the entire door. They didn't even open the door when the gal came out to look at it. It is a 2008 Toyota Tundra 4wheel drive ffv, I bought brand new last fall. I spoke with a supervisor last night who seemed to be siding with her employee. She said I can take it to this other shop, but she advised me that I should let a shop called a concierge shop inspect it to rewrite the estimate. When I asked for what reason, ssince this other shop has already written an estimate. Because of the difference in repair rates, she said she is not obligated to pay that and that I will be responsible for the difference. I feel that it should not be my responsibility to do that since it was their customers fault. What can I do? I can't imagine if I take it to there shop, that this shop would not want to fix it. Whats in it for them if they just look at it. When I told her that her employee ask me to cash settle, she said I must have misunderstood her. NO I DID NOT!! She said if I asked for a check, I would need to sign a release. I am not signing anything ungtil my truck fixed!
Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:23 pm Post Subject:
Just take it to the shop of your choice. Based on the type of vehicle you have, I would have to side with the supervisor. You must have misunderstood her, can't imagine why they would try and cash settle with you.
Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 01:31 pm Post Subject:
Clearly you got an inexperienced, over stressed, dunce of an adjuster...like all have said, just set up the repair at the shop of your choice, give them the prog. estimate. Call prog. tell them when you are dropping off your vehicle and at what shop so they can set up a rental...the shop will do the rest...they will contact progressive to come out and reinspect your vehicle (hopefully the shop will get someone with 'some' experience, and 'some' sense)...and then the prog. rep will issue the additional payment to the shop...
I don't know what state you are in or what the rules are there..but be SURE and tell the shop (and write on the repair auth that you'll sign at the shop)..that you are NOT paying out of pocket ANYTHING and the shop MUST contact you if they cannot reach an agreement with the carrier...
p.s. NO carrier handles claims like this...I'm bettin' this little gal isn't long for the 'adjusting' world. :roll:
Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 04:25 pm Post Subject:
I am in Texas. I have decided to take it to the Progressive shop. Only to have them look at and fix the estimate and then go to the other shop. I would prefer to have them just give me the money but for some reason they will not. Peraps I will call my company to see what they will do? Any thoughts?
Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 04:27 pm Post Subject:
And what did you all mean by legit repairs?
Add your comment