by December » Thu Jul 10, 2014 09:36 pm
Hello everyone! I made a claim to the AAA in October, 2013 about minor scratches on my rear right side of the car. I discovered the scratches when the car was parked with its right side to the curb and I assumed it was some sort of vandalism. Then a physical damage appraiser was sent to inspect the car. While inspecting the car the appraiser was telling me that it would cost around $3k to fix the car. We had an argument whether or not I should pay a $500 deductible because it seemed like a comprehensive coverage ($50 deductible) and he said that it looked like I collided with another car and that he understood my concern of not disclosing it to the claims adjuster originally. All in all he sent me a check for $1k and deducted $500.
I went to two body shops, one of which is AAA approved, and got estimates for nearly $3k each. Also, while in the body shops I've been told that the damages looked like somebody scratched my car with a suitcase or something like that. I contacted the adjuster and the appraiser back and asked for the difference in their original estimate plus to change it from collision to comprehensive. They ignored me saying that their estimate was fair and accurate. I complained to the CA Insurance Commission and they found nothing (or I might've been not clear enough to them about the problem).
So I contacted the AAA again in June, 2014 (claims supervisor, appraiser, appriser supervisor, etc.) and sent them the estimates again and received a portion, but still not full amount, of the estimates. The AAA still refusing to pay me in full.
The AAA employers lied on my behalf (can explain), ignored me, all in all caused so much stress that I just don't know what to do. Please help.
I went to two body shops, one of which is AAA approved, and got estimates for nearly $3k each. Also, while in the body shops I've been told that the damages looked like somebody scratched my car with a suitcase or something like that. I contacted the adjuster and the appraiser back and asked for the difference in their original estimate plus to change it from collision to comprehensive. They ignored me saying that their estimate was fair and accurate. I complained to the CA Insurance Commission and they found nothing (or I might've been not clear enough to them about the problem).
So I contacted the AAA again in June, 2014 (claims supervisor, appraiser, appriser supervisor, etc.) and sent them the estimates again and received a portion, but still not full amount, of the estimates. The AAA still refusing to pay me in full.
The AAA employers lied on my behalf (can explain), ignored me, all in all caused so much stress that I just don't know what to do. Please help.
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 05:37 am Post Subject:
You can sue AAA in small claims court for "breach of contract." However, they will probably petition to remove the case to Superior Court so they can have an attorney argue their position. That will force you to obtain an attorney to prosecute your case. Unfortunately, the amount of damages are so small there is very little in it for an attorney to handle the case.
If you can find several other AAA policyowners who have been treated similarly, there could be the basis for a class action lawsuit, which might interest an attorney.
Try small claims court and see what happens.
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 09:26 pm Post Subject:
1. It sounds like you have been treated unfairly.
2. Your communications with AAA must be clear, brief, unemotional, and factual.
3. You may want to go to 2 more AAA approved shops for the same estimate as
that will add strength to the validity of your damages claim.
4. If you ever agreed to the $500 Ded. as a collision loss, that was a mistake.
5. If AAA has not agreed to change that, write to management complaining.
6. If you don't get a fast fair settlement of @ $2,950 call your local TV station's
consumer reporter and see what they say. The threat of bad publicity is often
what it takes to get action.
7. That should work. If you would rather take them to Small Claims court, how
you present your case will make all the difference.
Good luck.
Add your comment