My Car Insurance Company

Jordan2 · ‎03-16-2010

I'm sitting here seething! I took my elderly mother to the dentist on Tuesday. We were in there maybe 30 minutes. I come out to the parking lot and can see a car hit me while they were either backing out of the spot or going in to the spot on my driver's side. Needless to say they didn't leave a note and just ran off. I live in New York state and the law is you can have work done at a shop of your choosing. I go get an estimate from a shop I have dealt with before and got an estimate for $2,200. I bring it to my insurance company today and she wasn't pleased by the amount. She tells me they have shops that they deal with, they don't need a claims adjuster as the shop can do the work. She tells me another option is a drive thru, they give you an estimate and cut you a check so you can go where you want. I find out by my insurance company (not the local office) that I MUST go to the drive thru. I call my local office and she tells me that's not true. She calls only to find out if you can drive your car you have to use the drive thru as they don't have enough claims adjusters to go around! I feel like they are forcing me to do things their way, the drive thru and shops that work with them don't have my best interest at heart. They are liable to give me a check for less then the estimate the shop gave me, maybe looking to cut corners. I'm so disgusted at this point. I hope the person that hit me got a lot of damage to their car! Oh, yeah I got the impression she thought my estimate was padded!

athenian · ‎03-18-2012

If you accept a check, look at the back. Often it says that your endorsement signature is an acceptance of this a final amount and the case is closed. Do not just sign it as there may be damage that isn't apparent yet. I would check with your state insurance dept. to see if you must accept their estimate at the drive through.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

As I read the original post, I realized I've never read my insurance policy to see the requirements for estimates in case of an accident. I don't even know if that info is included.

Will look later on. I want to know.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

Jordan, Thank goodness you or your mother were not hurt. The insurance business is a game. The companies do not make money by paying out claims.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

OK- I just read this on the website for my company which has a Select Service Program: If you choose not to use a Select Service Provider, State Farm will arrange for an estimate that reflects current local prices.

To me that means I can have any one do the repairs as long as I'm willing to pay the difference between that estimate and the estimate from someone else I choose, assuming there's a difference.

Nothing was there about any claims adjusters and there was no info about how I'd get an estimate if I wanted to use my own repair shop. Hoping I don't have to find out!

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@millieshops wrote:
OK- I just read this on the website for my company which has a Select Service Program: If you choose not to use a Select Service Provider, State Farm will arrange for an estimate that reflects current local prices.

To me that means I can have any one do the repairs as long as I'm willing to pay the difference between that estimate and the estimate from someone else I choose, assuming there's a difference.

Nothing was there about any claims adjusters and there was no info about how I'd get an estimate if I wanted to use my own repair shop. Hoping I don't have to find out!

Your should look into the claim process, if you want to know ask your insurance co.

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

.You have the legal right to take your car to a repair shop of your choosing.The insurance company then must send an appraiser to review the damage at the shop & secure an agreed price with the shop!! They are also required to provide you with a rental while the car is in the shop!!

My sons car was totalled by a reckless driver a few months ago & that is how it was handled!! I made sure of it!! Your insurance company has the same obligation minus your collision deductible of course. If they give you a hard time escalate the matter to a Claims Supervisor & or the Claims Manager.Threaten to go to the N.Y. State Dept. Of Insurance!!

Good luck!!!

Jordan2 · ‎03-16-2010

Insurance companies love you until you file a claim. They have been taking my home owner and car insurance payments for 2 years. Now I need to file a claim and they make it hard on you. This accident wasn't remotely my fault but I was informed my rates will go up. If I could afford it I would get the work done myself.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

I had about $6,000 worth of damage done to my car when I hit a deer on I-40, when the car was only 3 months old. I took the car to the facility USAA recommended, I don't recall being given any other option. This place did a superb job of fixing it. It was perfect; never had a moment's trouble with it.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment