I recently had hail damage to my car and my insurance company did an estimate which is 100% lower than 3 reput

Question

I recently had my car damaged by hail and I have comprehensivr coverage. My insurance company had an adjuster do the estimate and his estimate is 100% lower than 3 other estimated I had done (some of which weer by shops they work with...CRP). They are telling me I can take it in and they will pay the shops a supplemental check for the additional costs. I don't want to take it in because of my deductible and they are telling me pretty much the only way i can really re-coup the money owed to me is to have it fixed...I pay for my policy and as I understand it, i am entitled to the compensation of the damage and it is my choice to have it fixed or not...am I right or wrong in my understanding????

Answer 1

They do not owe you for the supplement unless you get the repairs done. So, if you want to live with the damage and pocket them money -- then you only get paid based on their initial estimate.

An estimate is just that - an estimate. The shops estimates don't carry more weight than the one by the insurance company. The insurance company is not required to pay you based on a shop estimate. The insurance company hires licensed appraisers for a reason.......to write estimates on damaged vehicles.  Many appraisers are former body shop managers.

Hail damage is very subjective. There are few parts involved. It's mostly labor and paint. So it is not surprising that there are differences in the estimates.  

Since the insurance company has paid you per their estimate - you have been fairly compensated per your policy.

You have received the compensation you are entitled to.

You don't have to get the car fixed (if it's paid for) but the insurance company does not owe you any more money.  

If you get the car repaired and the shop begins the repair and the shop determines that they need more time or money, then the shop will call the adjuster or appraiser. The insurance company goes out to the shop and reinspects the vehicle. If additional money is owed, a supplement check is issued to the shop.

Answer 2

If the car is owned by you it is your choice.  If the car is not paid for yet, then it is up to your loan provider and you jointly.

Answer 3

Well, you're right, HOWEVER.

If there's a lender on your car, the check will be made payable jointly to you and them.

If there isn't, you can fix the car, or not, BUT if you don't fix it, the insurance company may cancel the physical damage coverage off of your policy, or flat out cancel your policy if it's allowed by state law.  If they don't, the amout they paid you, plus your deductible, would be subtracted from the ACV of your vehicle for the subseqent claim - which would lead to your vehicle being totalled out at a MUCH lower value.

So you need to weigh the options, before you decide what to do with that check.

Answer 4

Your are owed "fair market value" to repair your car.  If I were to receive three estimates and all were twice what the adjuster wrote, I would cry foul.  Call his supervisor, he cannot low ball you.  He is thinking that you will not repair the vehicle and is low balling the estimate to save his employer money.  This is wrong and illegal.  Supplements are intended to pay for "hidden" damages.  That is something that will be discovered once the work begins.  This is normal and ok.  But with hail damages it is very easy to see the required work.

You have lost value due to the hail and this low baller owes it to you.  Call his supervisor and the state insurance office and complain of this hacker.

Answer 5

you have the right to be compensated for the damage.  since the adjuster came in lower, you have the right to take that check and do with it what you want, or take it to the shop get it repaired and let the company then pay the shop the difference.

Answer 6

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