My neighbor hit my unattended parked car. Should the appraiser come to my house? Or to the mechanic's shop?

Question

My neighbor hit my car, and her insurance is paying for 90% of the damages.

Would it be better to have her insurance's appraiser come to my house and appraise the damages, write me a check, and then get it fixed at a mechanic's shop?... I might have some money left over if I take it somewhere cheap.

I have gotten estimates between $2200 and $2800.

Maybe if I show the appraiser, the estimate of $2800, he will give me a check close to that amount, and I could get it fixed at the place that estimated it for $2200?

OR

Should I take it to the mechanic's shop, have the appraiser go there, and appraise it? I heard mechanic's usually 'hustle' appraisers, and usually get more money than they need to fix it, and that would cover my 10% of the cost. In addition, the mechanic told me my car might have some 'internal' damage that the appraiser can't 'see.'

Which would be better? Advice? Tips?

I also need a rental car, since this would take about a week to fix. Will her insurance pay for it?

Answer 1

Is your vehicle driveable? Most companies would require you to drive somewhere to meet with the appraiser for them to inspect your vehicle. Her insurance carrier should be explaining their inspection procedures to you.

As far as hidden damage is concerned, sometimes this is found after the vehicle is torn down and repairs started.  If that is the case, the shop repairing the vehicle would contact the appraiser to reinspect your car. The appraiser will write a supplementary estimate. An additional check would then be issued to the shop for the additional damages.

Her carrier should also cover a rental vehicle for you for the estimated repair time. Again, ask her company what their procedures are for renting. Some companies will get billed directly from the rental agency. Other carriers require you to pay and they will reimburse you.

Hope this helps

Answer 2

Is the car paid off? If not the checck will be written to you and the lein holder. Some insurance companies make the checks out to you and the shop or the shop directly. Also, some insurance companies write their own estimates and tell you to have the shop call them for any questions. Usually the estimate is much less what the shop would write which means if you had the car fixed on the insurance estimate you wont have any money left over. You have no choice in that matter except to just not have the car fixed at all.

Answer 3

Why is her insurance paying only for 90% of the damages? She's the one who hit your car. It should be 100% of the damages & not only that.....but you should take it to the mechanics shop directly. Something smells fishy in this deal.

Answer 4

Why are you being penalized 10 % ?.  You should use your own insurance and let them handle the 10% and the details.  The reason you bought insurance is for protection.  Use it !  The last thing you should worry about is (IF) your rates going up.  (they shouldn't) But If that is your main concern, why even bother to buy insurance in the first place ?  If you choose not to use your insurance, simply have the adjuster come to your house.  He will write his own estimate.  You can also have a body shop come to your house to write you an estimate.  When the others insurance company adjuster writes the check, it will be made out to you and you are free to do whatever you want with the money.  He is not going to give you a whole bunch of "extra" money tho.  You need to speak with your own insurance and learn how this all works.

Answer 5

Take it to a reputable shop in your area. Have them deal with the ins. and cost. Her ins. should pay 100% plus the rental car. If they don't comply, neighbor or not let your ins. handle it and they can go after her ins.