Insurance is trying to screw me...please help!?
Question:
The auto body shop has not included 'Frame' repair and he says he cannot include the exact amount without starting the reapirs. And he has estimates the frame repair to cost $300 which i think is bogus. I can't imagine how Frame repair can be so cheap. The insurance first said they'd total my car if the repairs cost more than 11,000 and now they have this other guy take up my case and he says they wont total it unless the repairs cost more than $12,800.
I am really at a loss...I have no idea what to do? Or where to start?
Any advice is greatly apprecited. Please help me.
Answer:
First off, people really irk me that give false answers. Nowadays it is PERFECTLY SAFE to repair a frame of a vehicle. The whole "frame damage can't be repaired" myth is completely 100% false. And yes, a frame is pretty cheap to fix. Give a couple hours to set-up the car on the machine and a few hours to pull it (at around 50-60 an hour- your not talking much)
Second- how is your insurance trying to screw you? It's simple mathmatics- if its cheaper to repair your vehicle then replace it- they will take that path. Your vehicle can't just be totalled b/c you want it to.
Looks like they are trying to accurately assess all the damages and supplements have come up along the way- and with this- the damages are less then they thought they would be (or the value of your vehicle is more) and they have decided to repair it.
I promise- your insurance company- isn't "out to get ya"
Your insurance wouldn't be State Farm would it? They really suck.
First of all, if the frame is damaged, the vehicle is unsafe even after repairs.
Second, what is preventing you from getting another estimate?
Third, if you are unhappy, find out what the complaint policy is with your insurance company. Ask them what paperwork you need to file with whatever state you live in for a complaint about them repairing a vehicle with a damaged frame then do it. That should be enough to get them to back down, but if it doesn't keep making noise.
It's the people that just lay down and let them do whatever they want that mostly end up getting screwed. Don't allow it.
That's standard practice and should be spelled out in your policy. The damage has to exceed a certain percentage of the value of the car before the insurance company will total it.
It's impossible to say if the quote on the frame damage is accurate. That car uses a unibody, not a frame. There is a short stub frame in the front to support the drive line and suspension. One or two pulls may be all that it needs so that may be an accurate estimate.
I'd suggest that you get one or two more quotes. A good body shop can pretty accurately estimate the total repair cost.
Also, ask to speak to a supervisor or manager at the insurance company and find out why you were given different numbers on the total.
Let them fix it and trade it in.
This is the easiest thing to do in your situation.
Ok, first of all your liability limits of 100-300-100 don't figure in here. The best thing to do is let the shop start repairs and the tear down. They will find supplemental damage and call the adjuster. The adjuster will come out and reinspect the vehicle and determine it is a total. If that doesn't happen I'm with the other guy- fix it and trade it.
Ask the adjuster if he knows of anyone in your area that purchases damaged vehicles (Many body people will purchase a vehicle that has been totalled or close to totalled and fix it up) If you can find someone to sell it to, as the company for a cash settle on the claim. They will pay the estimated amount less any tax. Then use the money to go out and purchase a new vehicle.
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