My Car Insurance Company - Page 3

CrazyDaisy · ‎03-20-2010

Many Insurance companies have drive thru facilities to expedite the claims process. As long as the car is drivable they ask that you use them. Really not very cost effective to have adjusters driving all over when it can be done centrally.

All Insuance companies keep a list of preferred providers. It means they are reputable and willing to work with the Insurance company. If the repair shop finds additional damage, the Insurance Company trusts that they are not just padding the bill and will authorize and the shop know they will be getting paid for the work and often release the car to the owner prior to payment. Really not uncommon.

Someday, when scientists discover the center of the Universe....some people will be disappointed it is not them.

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

I've been through this twice in the past 3 years, unfortunately. I don't know who your insurance company is but I have a really great one, especially the local agent, who walked me through both times. One not my fault and the other my fault.

I'm not in your state but I was given three choices of picking a preferred provider (fully covered), my own provider not in their network (covered to what they believe is normal and reasonable), or driving to an estimator and having a check cut at their discretion. In both instances, it was stressed that it was my choice and they could not even recommend anyone to me. It had to be my full decision on where my car went to.

If you can make an appearance in person with the local agent, that may help you when they see you're a real person and not a voice on the phone. They usually cut through the red tape faster and easier when you're real.

Oh and this may be state specific but my recent accident which was my fault led to me getting half my deductible back for the lost value in my car now. Apparently, GA has a law that the insurance company has to do that according to a formula and I got a nice check back for being an idiot and running over a curb. Hopefully, you have something similar in NY to lessen the sting.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:
I thought it was "illegal" for an insurance company to have their own repair shops. That's like wearing two hats.
They can recommend a shop. But telling you HAVE to go to a designated shop in order to be covered sounds wrong.

They don't own the shops but work in conjunction with them and the work is guaranteed.

You have the choice to use one of their recommended shops or not and pay the difference should you decide to go elsewhere.

If you are not happy with the work done at your own shop, you are up that creek without a paddle because the insurance company will not go to bat for you.

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

If you take your car to your shop when the appraiser reaches an agreed price the insurance company pays the shop directly minus any deductible.When the shop begins the work if they uncover more damage they are supposed to contact the insurance carrier to have an appraiser go back & do a reinspection & come to an agreed price for the additional damage!

Geller girl if the insurance company advised you they would not cover additional damages if you do not go to their shop they gave you false information!!

Some people prefer to have their car appraised in their driveway.If they don't agree on the amount the appraiser offered them then the insurance company is required to provide them with 3 repair shops close to where they live who will do the repairs for the stated price!! However,they can't force you to go anywhere you don't want to go.That's not legal!! Even after a check is cut if a shop can't do the repairs for the amount given a re inspection is in order between the shop and the insurance company's appraiser!

willdob3 · ‎11-01-2010

@SilleeMee wrote:
I thought it was "illegal" for an insurance company to have their own repair shops. That's like wearing two hats.
They can recommend a shop. But telling you HAVE to go to a designated shop in order to be covered sounds wrong.

In Florida, at least, they have "preferred" body shops that they recommend. NEVER take your car to one of them. You will be sorry.

If the insurance company does the estimate they recommend sub-standard repairs that will save them money but often glee are unsafe & void the car manufacturer's warranty. Again, I can only speak to what is going on in FL but the insurance companies and many of the body shops have an "arrangement." Right now there is no way for the consumer to win.

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

I am in MD. Good friend was hit on the drivers side PASSENGER door by a woman, texting, who ran through a red light at 55 miles an hour. His car spun and then hit another car and then hit a police car. This was the womans' FOURTH time doing this (he found out later on).

He has State Farm. His car was towed to the closest garage and then he had the option of using them or a garage of his choice; he kept it at the first one as he's known the mechanic for a long time. The adjuster came out, did her thing and it was decided the car can be fixed. HOWEVER, the mechanic told DF that yeah, it'll be fixed but you won't want to drive it because, like childs' car seat- the integrity of the frame will never be the same (due to the damage done). Nevertheless, it will be repaired and then he will trade it in and buy a new car.

He asked the mechanic regarding insurance companies which were the best to deal with and which were the worst (in his experience). The best was Progressive. The worst were Geiko and State Farm. Why is that? Geiko and State Farm "encourage" the use of reclaimed parts not new. They do not reimburse a garage for the full amount so the garage eats it or passes the cost on to the customer. HOWEVER, it's a different story if you use one of their "recommended garages for they body work". Funny thing is he makes so much money on repairing the work DONE by those garages. He can even tell you the garages that did the work; one uses junk yard parts ONLY.

It was an eye-opener for me, that's for sure.

Jordan2 · ‎03-16-2010

The thing about going through the drive thru, they may decide on an a mount to fix my car and cut me a check for it. I take that to the shop, he discovers it will cost more than they thought. The shop has to put in for an additional amount and wait til it's approved while your car sits there for maybe an additional day or two. The shop told me I had a right to schedule an appointment for a claims adjuster to see my car at his shop. Now I'm being forced to go to the preferred shop because I can't keep banging my head against the wall. I feel like going to the preferred shop or drive thru has my insurance's best interest at heart, not mine.

itiswhatitis · ‎05-27-2016

@CrazyDaisy wrote:
Many Insurance companies have drive thru facilities to expedite the claims process. As long as the car is drivable they ask that you use them. Really not very cost effective to have adjusters driving all over when it can be done centrally.

All Insuance companies keep a list of preferred providers. It means they are reputable and willing to work with the Insurance company. If the repair shop finds additional damage, the Insurance Company trusts that they are not just padding the bill and will authorize and the shop know they will be getting paid for the work and often release the car to the owner prior to payment. Really not uncommon.

Doesn't mean they are reputable. It means they (body shop and insurance) have a contract. That's it. They do offer warranties for their work, but many places warrant the work they perform.

*Call Tyrone*

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

I have had car insurance thru State Farm since I was 17; same local office, 2 agents. My family has had very few claims, and never, ever experienced the problems shared here.

This area has a central service center that handles the majority of auto accident repairs. I make direct contact with my insurance company, they put me in touch with Claims, and I receive instructions to contact the service center for my one estimate and repair. Very simple, absolutely no hassle.

willdob3 · ‎11-01-2010

@RedTop wrote:
I have had car insurance thru State Farm since I was 17; same local office, 2 agents. My family has had very few claims, and never, ever experienced the problems shared here.

This area has a central service center that handles the majority of auto accident repairs. I make direct contact with my insurance company, they put me in touch with Claims, and I receive instructions to contact the service center for my one estimate and repair. Very simple, absolutely no hassle.

Please be aware that SF has been making major changes in the way they do things. The "good neighbor" you may have dealt with previously might not be there for you in the future. - I know this from both sides, customer & employee. No one is happy with the changes - but it is saving SF money for now. They may drive everyone away though...