Last week my HHR got damaged in a hailstorm at work. My insurance company sent an independent adjuster who looked at it and said he needed the name of some collision shop to send his report to. I asked if I had to go to that shop, he said no and just needed it as part of his procedure with the insurance company. He then mentioned the name of a local car dealer. After assurances that it was just for paperwork and I could go anywhere I want, I said ok.

Before he could finish his report and send it to the collision shop, I went to that dealer and got my own estimate from him, which was $3400. After a few days, I received a letter from the adjuster that the dealer shop had agreed to the adjuster's quote for $1200. The original dealer quote had included a new hood and repaint of several areas that he said could not be done with the "paintless dent removal" technique. The report that the adjuster had sent to me showed all the repairs done with "paintless dent removal".

I can't believe that the collision shop can do the same job that they had estimated at $3400 for $1200. Why did they change their minds? They must be cutting corners somewhere in order to cut their estimated cost by 2/3 from $3400 to $1200. Maybe they are lowballing to get the job and then doing a fast (=crappy)job just to get in on part of the large local hail damage repair market.

Other people at work have gotten estimates higher than my $3400 for thier hail damage repair.

Since the shop accepts the $1200 offer from the insurance adjuster, does that mean I have no options to get more money, even if I get more estimates from local places that are more in line with what it should cost? I don't want a cheap crappy job on my HHR. If I could show that that shop's estimates are way low compared to other shops, does that even matter? Certainly if I gave the insurance company a very high estimate from one shop compared to many others, they would say that is an abnormal estimate.

Thanks
Steve

 

Could you get another estimate or two from other local body shops? If they are all in line with your first estimate, that would support your case about the adjuster getting lowball estimates. Just don't cash the insurance check until you are satisfied or else they will possibly consider the payment as your agreement to the amount of settlement.

 

I'd be calling the dealer and asking them what's up. What sort of relationship do you have with this dealer? Is this where you get your car services? Have you had any problems with them in the past?

I was in the insurance business for nearly 15 years, both personal and commercial insurance. I would get 2 more estimates from shops that friends or family recommend that they have had good experience with...particularly people who had to pay out of their own pocket. Some shops tend to be a little more in line with what actual repairs are when a person is paying for it themselves, instead of letting their insurance take care of it.

I would then average out the 3 repairs and say that amount is most likely pretty close to a fair repair amount. Just because the dealer and the adjuster worked something out, doesn't mean you have to take it there. In fact, that could be construed as "steering" by one or both of the parties involved and is a pretty shady practice.

Take your time and don't cash the check until you have settled on a fair amount and the vehicle has been repaired to your satisfaction.

 

Thanks for the replies!

To courthousedeb: no I have never worked with this dealer before, it was just a close place (brought up by the adjuster) to use as a name for the paperwork.

I will get a few more estimates and see how much they agree.

Again, I am amazed that the same shop estimated $3400 to me and then says $1200 is ok to the insurance adjuster. Where are they cutting the corners?

I have been with this insurance company for almost 30yrs and this is the FIRST claim I have made ever, except for a few cracked windshields along the way.

To GCarp: You are right about not cashing the check. I had heard in the past that that constitutes acceptance of the insurance company's offer and it closes out the case (and your options).

This forum is just awesome in the knowledge that people on it have and are willing to share.

Thanks
Steve

 

Something bothers me about this scenario. If fastsuv goes to the dealer and gets a quote for $3400, and the adjuster goes to the same dealer (after having assessed the damage) and gets a quote for $1200, then I would say the chances are good that the adjuster did not see the same damage that the dealer did when the dealer was looking at the actual HHR.

If a truly correct, accurate, and professional repair can be done for $3400, then even a crappy, second-rate repair cannot be done for $1200.

 

I agree with this, based on previous experiences. Adjusters are just that, "adjusters". They are NOT specialists in repair services, although some knowledge is necessary. Remember, the adjuster works for the insurance company, NOT YOU. And they are performance reviewed on the savings they acquire for the insurance company.

On 2 different situations I have challenged the adjusters credibility (and integrity in one situation) and won. Both were from the other parties insurance company (their liability). Luckily I recorded ALL conversations with the adjuster. When he said he did not agree to many "things" I was asserting, I produced the tape to his superiors and the State Insurance Commisioner. He lost his job and I got my repairs.

As others have said, get estimates from other sources. At least one from a source that has the reputation of being very expensive. Use that one as a bargaining tool. You are not compelled to use their source unless you agree to certain provisions which they probably will offer.

Oh, and don't forget, insurance companies do not pay the same rates, etc. for repairs, that you and I would. Dent-Pro, the paintless repair people, have much different rates with a dealer, or with an insurance company, than you or I would pay....for example.