Advise Needed on Handling Auto Body Insurance Adjusters

So the unfortunate happened and my Taco got hit by a crazy Florida driver who thought it was a good idea to accelerate into moving traffic rather than wait for an opening! My question is for anyone who has gone through another's insurance before, and/or for anyone in the auto body industry that can help advise me how to get the other company to increase their estimate/labor rates some. I am not sure how much leverage or negotiating power I have when working with another company. I spoke with an adjuster from my insurance company, and the information he gave me was that the labor rate they usually allow for in this area is $49-$50/hour. He also said the aftermarket parts have gotten dramatically better these days and that a dealership would never use bumper parts that weren't a high quality. Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be appreciated!

So...

DAMAGE:

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ESTIMATE:

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The good news:

• The dealership auto body shop where I would like to have it repaired told me that the panels are bolted on, so it's a relatively straightforward repair.
• The lady did stop, and we exchanged information and had a police report written.
• The deputy recognized I was not at all at fault, and wrote her report accordingly.
• The other party's insurance has accepted responsibility and just sent an appraiser to write an estimate.

The bad news:

• The estimate seems to have forgotten a few things, such as the damage to one of my "new" Off-road rims. (He verbally said it could be polished out, but I'm not sure I'm sold on that yet and he did not include it on the estimate.) It does include a new taillight (I showed him a small scratch on mine, but then doesn't list a price. Also, my body shop said they forgot a few things like time to take off the bed, and to tint match, for instance.
• The replacement bumper parts he listed are aftermarket. This scares me but another adjuster said the aftermarket parts are very good these days and often made from the same Toyota molds, etc. My thinking is, you damaged an OEM vehicle, now you need to make it OEM. I toyed with taking the opportunity to change out the rear bumper too, but I don't want to complicate the situation.
• The labor rates he quoted are on the low-side, and the auto-body shop I'm going to use said they need to come up some (from $42 to at least $50/hr.)

So, this is the first time I've ever called and worked directly with another person's insurance. I did notify my insurance and opened a claim but am trying to avoid having to make any financial claim with them.

Is it advisable to call back the adjuster or the one who came to estimate the vehicle? I know the body shop will work with them to cover any unforeseen expenses once they disassemble, but I'm guessing its best I try to get them to give me more money to begin with? Thanks again!

 

I've been through this game several times in the last 10 years. The last accident I had to go through my insurance company to get my vehicle fixed properly...which in turn "they" went and collected from the at fault company. Just remember that legally speaking the insurance company is required to fix all damage...not just some.

Also, you have a "small" claim...with no injury. Fight to get your vehicle fixed, including filing a claim to the Insurance Commissioner and going directly through your company. Then they will end up paying higher labor rates.

 

Progressive or Geico estimate? They vary a bit in the way the will handle the rates

 

What insurance company do you have?

 

Take the cash and drive that Bitch into eternity. Edit: time for a flat bed, my Friend.

 

Seems very low, i would bring to a shop you may know in your hometown and get a second estimate and tell them you would prefer to work with a shop you have previous experience or local business. They always have plenty of money to pad a repair if something is forgotten or underpriced.

 

thanks. Luckily I haven’t had to play this game for a while, but with drivers the way they are it was bound to happen. I have been using the insurance adjuster my company the same to the case and she’s been pretty helpful. I’m just trying to avoid having them spend any money because then my rates will definitely go up even though I wasn’t at fault!

My company said that they will always use OEM parts for the vehicles under 24,000 miles are two years old. I guess this companies trying to get away with some aftermarket parts since I have about 32,000 miles on my 2021 already!

Good idea about the insurance commissioner!

The other lady has National General insurance. I believe it’s an offshoot from Allstate.

It’s American Family, through Costco.

 

Let them polish the wheel and see if you're satisfied afterwards. Chances are you won't be able to tell the difference. Wheels get damaged in transport often and dealers do similar repairs routinely on new vehicles without telling the buyer.

Aftermarket bumper plastic fits like factory but is a less brittle material, so in a way it's better, less likely to get damaged off-road.

 

Indeed, I plan to go through the dealership where I bought the Taco and Dad his Highlander. They have always been extremely helpful and ethical. I just would like to start them off with as much money as possible. (I noted they did quote the OEM panels and such at retail $ which is good. The dealership should be able to recoup some money there.)

 

If you're not at fault, you may want to just go through your insurance company. Odds are, they'll be easier to deal with than the other party's insurance company.

 

National General reps are probably about 50% ex progressive employees, in Broward and palm beach county.

Choose a shop of your own. If it is one of their preferred shops even better. This way if there are problems both the shop and National are on the hook to make it right. It will also resolve the labor rate issue. I have not worked in S. Fl in a long time, but $42 an hour seem really low. However, the insurance company does only owe the prevailing rate. So be sure to get that resolved before repairs start.

Aftermarket parts are usually ok. Maybe use this time to get a beefier steel bumper. Your estimate is missing things like set back bed, corrosion protection, computer scans to check for codes. All things the shop will ask for on supplement. The wheel will most likely need a sublet repair, make sure you also get a mount and balance to be sure it is not bent and an alignment

 

If you are interested I could DM you the estimate for my bedside panel replacement in June (long bed, no bumper damage). Total cost was $3300, which included removal/reinstall of a cap and replacement of a dinged OR wheel at $480.00. Labor was $65/hr.

 

Many times when estimates are written, things are inadvertently left out or missed, or hidden damage is discovered after repairs begin. The body shop can and will submit a supplementary claim. I know when I ran my motorcycle shop and had to deal with a company that paid a lesser rate than I charged, I would write the estimate at the approved rate and submit a supplement for the difference after the repairs were complete and the company always paid it. I know sometimes people are hesitant to accept an initial check or partial estimate from the insurance company before repairs but that doesn't mean you are responsible for any charges afterwards. Some companies like to do that to get the ball rolling. Supplements are very common after the fact. Bottom line is, if you're unhappy with the end result, don't pick up the vehicle until you are.

 

these threads make my head spin with the amount of bullshit that comes out of them.

• you are always going to be better off to just go through your carrier as long as you're not in a situation where your vehicle is undriveable and parts are delayed and your rental limits are going to come into play.
• your carrier will subro the at fault carrier after the fact, this should not affect your rates as long as they are able to recover 100%.
• even if you went through the other carrier, your carrier will still know you were in an accident. all of this stuff goes into a national database.
• in most states the claimant carrier does not owe you oem parts. neither does your carrier unless your policy specifically states it.
• this does not mean you will NEVER get OEM parts. sometimes OEM is all that is available, sometimes aftermarket parts are so shitty shops will refuse to use them as the amount of labor involved in getting them to fit right will end up costing more than OEM. it really just depends.
• the estimate you have is an initial estimate. every carrier is going to require you get an initial estimate from one of their shops.. an approved estimate. then you go from there. you can google what a supplement is.
• you don't have to use their shop, but good carriers will have repairs guaranteed for life if you stay in network. they will also cover additional rental if you stay in network. if you go to your own place and they take their sweet ass time and it's longer than reasonable they can definitely set a last day of rental on you.
• the inside adjuster isn't going to be the one talking to your shop about supplements and labor rates... they have desk/field appraisers to do that job.

etc, etc, blah blah.

 

Definetly go through your insurance company and your insurance company will get reimbursed.

 

There are no aftermarket bedsides available, much to the chagrin of folks who have dented bedsides on narrow trails...

 

Unless he has an OEM endorsement it makes no sense to go thru his own policy if the other company is ready to pay. Insurance companies don’t try and screw claimants any more than insureds. Why would he pay his deductible and possibly wait months for reimbursement? What happens if he does have rental but his repair goes past his policy limits. Then he has to deal with either paying out of pocket for that too or trying to get the other company to take over billing.

If the other company is ready to pay, get the rental and drop off the truck for repair. Wait for the call to pick up the truck and return the rental.

 

I see someone didn't read my post. Cool cool. Also, what shitty insurance companies don't waive deductibles when CC has accepted fault? Lmao.

edit: also, claimants don't get surveys. when you have 180+ claims working your 51st 80 hour week of the year and your phone is blowing up...

...most adjusters are going to set aside more time for their insureds.

claimant... you got your approved estimate and your rental, take it to your SOC and let the supplement process do its thing and stop calling me. no you cannot have an escalade rental while your kia soul is in the shop. gfys

 

Sorry, I was not responding to your post.

Not every insurance company just waives the deductible. They will but they need to confirm liability is accepted by the adverse company, send notification to the at fault party they are doing so to avoid the at fault party also paying the claim, and usually supervisor approval is needed. Every company is different.

I am not sure which company you work for, but 1 carrier may not survey claimants but others do. Ask the lizard customers. Again every company is different.

The statement most adjusters are going to set aside more time for their insureds unfortunately may be true, but it is statements like this that get the industry bashed. Insured or clamant, they just got their property wrecked. They may or may not be hurt.