Post by FishHawk on Jun 25, 2006 7:13:14 GMT -5
This is NOT to ask/answer what insurance company to use, I can't do that for you. But, as a bodyshop estimator, maybe I can put something out there to help people based on some frequent questions that I recieve...
Q) Can you save my deductible?
A) Probably not. In DE it is not illegal to ask. But it is illegal for a shop to inflate damages to cover a deductible. Sometime shops for "frequent flyers" can help out in some small ways but sometimes not. You can ask, but don't expect the answer to be in your favor.
Q) Do I have to get 3 estimates?
A) No. Absolutely not. You don't have to get more than 1. If the insurance company chooses not to accept your estimate, they can send out their field staff, hire an independent appraiser, or have one of the Direct Repair Program shops write the estimate for them.
Q)It's not my fault, do I have to pay my deductible?
A) If you choose to repair through YOUR policy, then yes. On rare occasions, you may not have to but I only see that maybe 1% of the time. Your policy=your deductible.
Q) What if the insurance company missed something?
A) Most shops, regardless of the horror storis you've heard or seen of put a guarantee on their repairs. If they find additional damage or parts needed, the shop can handle the notification and clearance through the insurance company.
Q) As the car owner, I can tell them all factory parts, right?
A) Probably not. Many companies have limitations on whether or not they write for alternative (aftermarket, used, reconditioned) parts. You as the owner have the right to know it, but a "Chevy bodyshop" does not always use "Chevy" parts on all repairs. They must initiate repairs through the insurance company's initial estimate however if there is a problem with availability or fit, they'll contact the insurance company about the next step.
Q) Why does it take so long to fix "that dent"?
A) If an item is repairable, the working time may be minimal but the curing time of the products may set it back longer than realized. A door ding may be a 2-3 day repair or longer pending access to the dent, paint preperation and curing times, etc... Unfortunatley most dents don't "just pop out".
Q) Will this raise my rates?
A) I don't know. But your agent does. Ask them, that's what they are there for. Without listing specifics, some companies if they don't pay out more than 500 or 800 or 1,000 don't assess an increase. Some comapnies will give you a freebie every ten years. Some offer a deductible offset for every year without a chargeable collision loss (this means "your fault"). They cannot raise your rates based on a question, not if another company handles repairs. They may assess a surcharge to your premium if you put a claim in on your policy.
Q) I hit a deer, that will raise my rates probably.
A) Probably not. Liability insurance fixes someone elses car. Collision fixes yours should you have, well, a collision. However comprehensive is for something out of your immediate means of control. For example, fire, theft, vandalism, deer hit, flood, etc... Comprehensive losses are NOT supposed to be held agaist you, but verify that with your agent.
Q) My car was damaged by a hit and run driver, what do I do?
A) Call the police, file a report, get the report # and call your claims rep. The insurance company will probably not file it under UMPD (uninsured motorist property damge) without the report. It MAY have an adverse affect on your rates BUT DE states that with a verified insurance claim for a hit and run, you'll have a $250 deductible and your insurance co should be able to offer rental assistance. May not be much, but something is better than nothing. Again, ask your agent about the process of that claim, and VERIFY it with the bodyshop and your insurance company.
Q) Can ytou get this covered on my claim?
A) If it's part of the claim, yes. But the bodyshops don't want to get dinged for fraud, and the insurance companies are not "un-knowledgable". Got a dent in the front fender but want your broken taillight from a year ago covered? Probably ain't gonna happen. You can ask, some shops figured if you're already scheduled for a repair, maybe they can drop the labor a little bit for a "customer pay repair" while in for an insurance repair. I do it frequently for people but I also explain why/how I can offer a few dollars off a secondary repair at the same time. Actually I just did an insurance repair on the front end of a car for someone and he had 3 other things done at the same time. He'll also be scheduling for additional stuff as $$$ permits.
Q) The insurance company said I had to use their shop, di I?
A) NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! You, as the vehicle owner, have the right to use any shop you want (within a reasonable distance from your residence or employment). Don't be pressured by the insurance company telling you they don't guarantee "that shop"'s repairs. Ask the shop for THEIR guarantee. With that being said, don't be afraid of "an insurance companies shop" to use. A DRP (direct repair provider) frequently has better insight to that particular insurance companies requirements and procedures and in many circumstances can help move a repair along faster. Outside of a DRP repair, a "supplement" (hidden damage notification) has to be called in and reinspected by the appropriate company. But most companies respond within 24-48 hours and many on the same day. Some shops with a good enough reputation for integrity can "float" a supplement. Such as if I take a customers bumper off and find a broken headlight, a minor bend to the inside of the fender and a bumper bracket, some companies will tell the shop to take phots, save the old parts and continue repairs. Maybe not always, but it happens alot when the ins company knows the shop in question has always been fair and honest to both the insurance comapny and to the customer.
I won't be able to answer all question about all claims in all states, I write in and for DE claims. BUT, if someone does have a question about a claim, feel free to post a question here. I'll do my best to answer it for you. Don't ask me how to bypass the rules. I make a living by being fair to the insurance company and straight with the customer. The field reps that look at the cars are not stupid by any stretch. Some are lazy, some are not. Some are nice and some are a$$holes. But I don't think any of them are stupid. Hopefully none of you out there need any of this info now or in the future but feel free to ask me if you want.
Q) Can you save my deductible?
A) Probably not. In DE it is not illegal to ask. But it is illegal for a shop to inflate damages to cover a deductible. Sometime shops for "frequent flyers" can help out in some small ways but sometimes not. You can ask, but don't expect the answer to be in your favor.
Q) Do I have to get 3 estimates?
A) No. Absolutely not. You don't have to get more than 1. If the insurance company chooses not to accept your estimate, they can send out their field staff, hire an independent appraiser, or have one of the Direct Repair Program shops write the estimate for them.
Q)It's not my fault, do I have to pay my deductible?
A) If you choose to repair through YOUR policy, then yes. On rare occasions, you may not have to but I only see that maybe 1% of the time. Your policy=your deductible.
Q) What if the insurance company missed something?
A) Most shops, regardless of the horror storis you've heard or seen of put a guarantee on their repairs. If they find additional damage or parts needed, the shop can handle the notification and clearance through the insurance company.
Q) As the car owner, I can tell them all factory parts, right?
A) Probably not. Many companies have limitations on whether or not they write for alternative (aftermarket, used, reconditioned) parts. You as the owner have the right to know it, but a "Chevy bodyshop" does not always use "Chevy" parts on all repairs. They must initiate repairs through the insurance company's initial estimate however if there is a problem with availability or fit, they'll contact the insurance company about the next step.
Q) Why does it take so long to fix "that dent"?
A) If an item is repairable, the working time may be minimal but the curing time of the products may set it back longer than realized. A door ding may be a 2-3 day repair or longer pending access to the dent, paint preperation and curing times, etc... Unfortunatley most dents don't "just pop out".
Q) Will this raise my rates?
A) I don't know. But your agent does. Ask them, that's what they are there for. Without listing specifics, some companies if they don't pay out more than 500 or 800 or 1,000 don't assess an increase. Some comapnies will give you a freebie every ten years. Some offer a deductible offset for every year without a chargeable collision loss (this means "your fault"). They cannot raise your rates based on a question, not if another company handles repairs. They may assess a surcharge to your premium if you put a claim in on your policy.
Q) I hit a deer, that will raise my rates probably.
A) Probably not. Liability insurance fixes someone elses car. Collision fixes yours should you have, well, a collision. However comprehensive is for something out of your immediate means of control. For example, fire, theft, vandalism, deer hit, flood, etc... Comprehensive losses are NOT supposed to be held agaist you, but verify that with your agent.
Q) My car was damaged by a hit and run driver, what do I do?
A) Call the police, file a report, get the report # and call your claims rep. The insurance company will probably not file it under UMPD (uninsured motorist property damge) without the report. It MAY have an adverse affect on your rates BUT DE states that with a verified insurance claim for a hit and run, you'll have a $250 deductible and your insurance co should be able to offer rental assistance. May not be much, but something is better than nothing. Again, ask your agent about the process of that claim, and VERIFY it with the bodyshop and your insurance company.
Q) Can ytou get this covered on my claim?
A) If it's part of the claim, yes. But the bodyshops don't want to get dinged for fraud, and the insurance companies are not "un-knowledgable". Got a dent in the front fender but want your broken taillight from a year ago covered? Probably ain't gonna happen. You can ask, some shops figured if you're already scheduled for a repair, maybe they can drop the labor a little bit for a "customer pay repair" while in for an insurance repair. I do it frequently for people but I also explain why/how I can offer a few dollars off a secondary repair at the same time. Actually I just did an insurance repair on the front end of a car for someone and he had 3 other things done at the same time. He'll also be scheduling for additional stuff as $$$ permits.
Q) The insurance company said I had to use their shop, di I?
A) NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! You, as the vehicle owner, have the right to use any shop you want (within a reasonable distance from your residence or employment). Don't be pressured by the insurance company telling you they don't guarantee "that shop"'s repairs. Ask the shop for THEIR guarantee. With that being said, don't be afraid of "an insurance companies shop" to use. A DRP (direct repair provider) frequently has better insight to that particular insurance companies requirements and procedures and in many circumstances can help move a repair along faster. Outside of a DRP repair, a "supplement" (hidden damage notification) has to be called in and reinspected by the appropriate company. But most companies respond within 24-48 hours and many on the same day. Some shops with a good enough reputation for integrity can "float" a supplement. Such as if I take a customers bumper off and find a broken headlight, a minor bend to the inside of the fender and a bumper bracket, some companies will tell the shop to take phots, save the old parts and continue repairs. Maybe not always, but it happens alot when the ins company knows the shop in question has always been fair and honest to both the insurance comapny and to the customer.
I won't be able to answer all question about all claims in all states, I write in and for DE claims. BUT, if someone does have a question about a claim, feel free to post a question here. I'll do my best to answer it for you. Don't ask me how to bypass the rules. I make a living by being fair to the insurance company and straight with the customer. The field reps that look at the cars are not stupid by any stretch. Some are lazy, some are not. Some are nice and some are a$$holes. But I don't think any of them are stupid. Hopefully none of you out there need any of this info now or in the future but feel free to ask me if you want.