Advise Needed on Handling Auto Body Insurance Adjusters

as stated... most states dont allow DV. so telling someone they HAVE TO FILE FOR DV, is not doing due diligence. case in point:


The following states are known to allow drivers to file a diminished value claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• New Mexico
• New York
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• Virginia

the other 35 states, do not allow it. Ski

 

I just went through this kinda thing with my Tacoma, my state isn't on the list either that skidooboy posted so the low the better. Best advice I can give is let your agent advise you which insurance Co to file with. The labor rates may seem low but they are probably listed at what the maximum the insurance company will pay. Go get work done on self pay. The rates change drastically. The insurance company's vary on how they process claims progressive wants it tore down before they authorize any work for no surprise increases, at least that what happened to me. My damage was 2700 whit car rental. Good luck I'm my state I let there insurance handle it. It won't show up on my insurance report and lose the accident free discount, they didn't need to waste their resources.

 

it is absolutely on file that you were in an accident...

 

True but in this state, ND any accident isn’t considered reportable incident unless the damage is over 4000 on a vehicle. The accident I was in met this when I asked for a curtiusy report the officer was quite pissed to fill it out I did so because the person driving the other car was in the beginning of being a Minnesota shit box and some drivers carry insurance long enough to renew the driver's license and drop it the next month. I was concerned about an uninsured motorist. But that is what my agent advised me to do. He also advised not to turn it in to my insurance company to keep it clean.

 

agents are morons, they know about as much about the insurance policies they sell than car salesmen know about the cars they're selling.

my point was, if an insurance company paid a claim out, you're on that list and insurance companies can pull an updated report on you if they want.

 

UPDATE: Called my insurance adjuster again and she advised I got through the other company directly! She tried to sell me on the benefit of not getting them involved to keep my rates from increasing, but when I mentioned the statue to her as well as mentioned the CLUE database (thanks @turbosix!) she confirmed and I think she thought I knew a little more than the average caller. LOL Anyway, she seemed completely disinterested compared to my last call with her. Very disappointed, Costco usually partners with better providers. Oh well, maybe I can submit an invoice for my time as well as the depreciated value of the truck!

UPDATE UPDATE: So I finally called back the other adjuster from the other party's company and they apparently "already sent [me] out a check for the repair amount," and said "the labor rate and other items, as well as any hidden damage can be handled through the supplemental process." (I cannot believe they just sent out a check without my having to sign anything.) Then I asked about a rental and he signed me up for a rental and said a second check would go out for that. (The amount was lower than I have seen for rentals, but he said I will get a special rate since they have an agreement with Enterprise.). Soooo, I'm hoping this all works out!

 

Insurance company's negotiate prices they pay for labor and car rentals.

 

Just as a final update.. things worked out OK going through the other party's insurance, though probably a little slower than if I had just gone through mine. I received their initial 2 checks (one for the truck repair "estimate" and the other for a rental vehicle). The auto body shop repaired the truck and was able to get the extra parts and increased labor rate though supplemental filing, as advised above. They also used all OEM parts.

A few days after picking up my truck I noticed a few minor issues (i.e. loose wiring harness, license plate light not working, and a broken tab on the bumper cover). I took it back to them to repair and they did. However there was a slight variation in the new paint with the metallic flake, so now it's back getting taking apart again and getting repainted to a closer match. (This has been discussed in another thread, but I never realized how tough the silver metallic is to match!). Anyway, this time I have a free loaner from them and enjoying 40 mpg My next step is to attempt to file a diminished value claim but I am still trying to research the process to do that. So, all in all I think it will end ok, just a lot of wasted time and frustration! I appreciate all the feedback and advice received!

 

I’m not sure how much you like headaches but getting through a DV might not really be worth the effort. Just my two cents.