Car insurance claim - who sets the estimate?

[Anonymous]

I recently got into an accident where the other driver was at fault. I went directly to their insurance who agreed to pay for the damage. I chose a repair shop (on my own - I figured that would be better than going with one in cahoots with the insurance), who I thought would tell the insurance company the estimate. Instead, the repair shop just sent the insurance company photos and left it to the insurance adjustor to set the estimate. Does this sound right to you? I'm not understanding why the insurance company would be the ones to decide how much the repair costs.

[Anonymous]

The insurance adjuster will take a look and give an estimate based on what he/she sees. Than the body shop will work with that budget but notify the insurance if there are other charges that couldn’t be seen initially. I personally had a good experience at D&V masters who communicated well, was detailed in their repairs and did a great job. Make sure the shop uses OEM parts only if you care about your car.

[Anonymous]

I just had an accident and Zamoras body shop gave a $6,300 estimate and Progressive said $3,300.

differences was OEM vs. aftermarket, lower rate per hour and progressive wanted the fender fixed vs. replaced.

Progressive has to sign off on the body shop estimate.

It’s a game body shop pumps it up insurance company tries to low ball and I guess they meet in the middle

[Anonymous]

Insurance is not obligated to pay for oem parts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just had an accident and Zamoras body shop gave a $6,300 estimate and Progressive said $3,300.

differences was OEM vs. aftermarket, lower rate per hour and progressive wanted the fender fixed vs. replaced.

Progressive has to sign off on the body shop estimate.

It’s a game body shop pumps it up insurance company tries to low ball and I guess they meet in the middle

This is why I just let the insurer arrange for the repairs. They always use Zamoras which is who I would use anyway.

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t the insurance company have agreements (negotiated rates) with specific auto repair shops? Sort of like in network vs out of network for health insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently got into an accident where the other driver was at fault. I went directly to their insurance who agreed to pay for the damage. I chose a repair shop (on my own - I figured that would be better than going with one in cahoots with the insurance), who I thought would tell the insurance company the estimate. Instead, the repair shop just sent the insurance company photos and left it to the insurance adjustor to set the estimate. Does this sound right to you? I'm not understanding why the insurance company would be the ones to decide how much the repair costs.

Not really sure why it matters to you, OP, so long as the car gets fixed.

FYI that your car will now forever turn up on a CarFax as having been in an accident and this has been further devalued than normal depreciation. That won’t matter until it comes time to sell or trade in your car, but at that time you will get less for your car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Insurance is not obligated to pay for oem parts

Mine is, it’s in the policy.

[Anonymous]

Got into an accident with my Tesla. Geico adjuster set an estimate of $1500. Tesla certified shop gave an estimate of $6000. Geico paid the the whole thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Insurance is not obligated to pay for oem parts

Mine is, it’s in the policy.

Which one is it?

[Anonymous]

My repair shop did the estimate and sent to me and to the insurance company. They were an authorized shop and actually charged me the deductible and got the rest from insurance.

[Anonymous]

I was hit by a guy driving a company car. His insurance Co directed me to get an estimate (wherever I wanted) and send it to them. It was a fairly minor collision.

I did and they approved it including OEM parts w/o argument. Then upon actual teardown, the shop called them to say we found a few other things, and they approved that also. No big deal.

I think, and I could be wrong, that in many cases, if you wreck *your* car, the ins co is likely to specify aftermarket parts. If you wreck someone else's car, they are likely to cover OEM parts. Specific language may differ by company of course.

And to be honest, if its a 8 yo minivan or suv or something, it really doesn't matter what they use, you'll literally never know the difference. And everyone pays in the long run when claims for OEM parts are paid out at a pointless premium over aftermarket on cars that have seem much of their useful life already.

[Anonymous]

I was at fault recently and my insurance let me go wherever I wanted, paid the estimate less $500 deductible, and will cover any adjustments to the cost.

[Anonymous]

I was rear ended in the fall. I took my car to the only Lexus certified collision center in the area and they have been fighting with State Farm for 2 months over the repair costs. I ended up paying the body shop the difference out if pocket this week and have an attorney fighting State Farm for the balalnce.