Insurance claim estimate low?

Question

Our car was hit while parked and the driver has AAA. AAA came out and made an estimate of $1200. Our insurance company and some local shops estimated the damage at $2800. The major difference being cutting in the rear quarter panel vs repairing it.

This is a small car worth only $5500. We can live with the damage and want to just get a check for the amount of damage and not have it repaired. I do not want the claim going throught our insurance.

What is the best way to get AAA's estimate closer to reality and a check issued to us, not a body shop?

Answer 1

AAA's estimate may be the better estimate ( reality) even though it is less than your insurance companies. Just cause your company wrote for more - does not mean it's the better repair. It could have been written by an adjuster who does not know that much.

A quarter panel is part of the frame of the car. The only way to replace it is to cut the quarter panel off and weld a new one on. This puts welds in places that did not have a weld before. This is pretty invasive. Therefore, if it is possible to repair the quarter panel - that is usually preferable to replacing it. Repairing the qt panel may be the safer repair.

Metal has memory. To repair a qt panel - the shop would work the dent out of the metal and then apply a thin coat of body filler over it to smooth it out.

If AAA wrote to repair the qt panel - the only way they would pay to replace it is if - your car is in the shop being fixed and after the shop tried to repair it and was not able to -then they may pay to replace the qt panel as a supplement.

If you have collision coverage and your company wrote for 2800.00. Then file your claim with them. They will pay per their estimate - your ded. They will then ask AAA to pay them back. Once they get paid, they will forward your ded to you.

Answer 2

Do you even know what the word 'estimate' means?
Closer to reality? The reality is if you are doing a cash out then you have nothing to argue. If you want it fixed then take the estimate to the shop of your choice and get the work done. Do you want money or do you want your car fixed?
Lastly, the only obligation AAA (or any insurance carrier for tht matter) has is to pay to return your car to PRE-accident condition. Why do you care how much it costs so long as the work is done? If it can be done for $1200 instead of $2800 then that is what is paid. If it can't be done for that fine, but you won't know until you get it into the shop. So what do you want? Money, or your car fixed?

Answer 3

I don't know what state you are in, but in California, AAA is pretty good at coming up with lowball estimates by contracting with local shops and directing the work there.

BUT.. you have the right to use whatever shop you want and AAA has the obligation to pay the reasonable cost to make you 'whole'.

So.. your best bet is to get at least three separate estimates for the cost of repairs - make sure that they all cover the same damages and finish work - and submit them to the driver (AAA works for him not you) and AAA and request the average value (they should all be about the same).

If AAA does not repond or come thru with a check, then your next option is small claims. Since no one is disputing fault, the judge would simply have to rule on the value of the damage which is why the estimates are VERY important.

Good luck..

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Answer 4

Ugh. You cant. In order for them to do a more accurate estimate the vehicle would have to be torn down so they could see further damage... since you are keeping the check.. they cant do that.

You could always go through your insurance and get the check... and then they will reimburse you the deductible.

You cant have your cake and eat it too. Your making request that is making it hard on them (not going through your carrier and not really repairing your car) so you can expect them to go out of the way and bend over backwards for you.

Im sure they would be more then happy to do a supplement on that check if you were really getting repairs and the vehicle was torn down.. they arent just going to write you a big fat check when they cant even see anymor edamage.

Again- why dont you just be reasonable and go through yoru insurance and take the bigger check? If its because "i dont want it on my record" then your just screwing yoruself over.

This insurance company has absolutely no contract with you. Therefore, if they think that qp is repairable they arent just going to change their mind b/c you "want a bigger check"- good luck trying.

Answer 5

They (AAA) HAVE to issue the check to you. They have no legal obligation to protect your leinholder. Repair vs replace of a major panel is a matter of opinion most times. It's always better to repair if practical. I would suggest you take it to another shop and see if they agree with the AAA estimate. If not you can ask the adjuster if they will reconsider (and if not, ask his/her manager). If you get stonewalled then you can always pay off the car and your insurer will make the check payable to you.

Answer 6

the difference between your company and AAA is that your company maybe using new parts vs old and repairing vs replacing; this can make a huge difference;

in some states, "your" insurance company owes you for replacement if your car falls within certain guidelines;
ie; if car is less than 5 years old, "your' company owes for new parts; but;;;;;;;;;;even if your car falls in this category, AAA would not be obligated for new, but can pay for used or repairs;

so; if you feel your company is right, then have them repair; you will be out your deductible, but then at that point your company will go after AAA for their cost since they would then have a vested interest; when AAA repays your company, your company then reimburses you for your deductible;

good luck

Answer 7

Problem here is, you want the cash. If not, you could insist on them paying for the body shop of your choice, however on an older car of low value, they will only repair, not replace parts here. Take the money or try to negotiate a number in between.

Answer 8

basically if you are not going to get the car repaired, you are pretty much stuck with whatever the ins. company is offering. The only way to "up" the amount they will pay is to get a reputable body shop to repair the car and negotiate your claim.

Insurance companies do their best to pay as little on a claim as possible and without the repair actually happening, you will not get anymore out of them.

Sorry