I need help on an insurance claim...

[Catherine Vincent]

I had a fender bender over the weekend. Not my fault, guy backed into me who's insurance expired and no driver's license that left the scene before the cops arrived. The insurance rep (Farmers) came by today and gave me an estimate on the damages. It was for under $1000. He cut me a check minute the deductible and said whereever I have the car repaired, I should pay the deductible plus whatever they charge.

My question is, if I can repair the car less than what the rep estimated, do I still pay whatever it costs plus the deductible to the repairman? This is the first time I've had to file a claim and don't know all the procedures. I know I should talk to my rep about all the questions I have, I just thought I'd check with how everyone else handled their situation.

Thanks in advance.

[SacredCow]

1. Farmers must be your insurance then, right? n/t

[Catherine Vincent]

6. Yes. nt

[SacredCow]

7. I figured....

but if you said no, I was going to ask you just how you got an insurance company to pay on a lapsed policy!!!!

I think you can do whatever you want with the money, but obviously if you get your car fixed with it- DO keep the receipts for proof to that end. I had a friend who got rear-ended in his old junker of a car, and the insurance company gave him a check for $1000 that he used to pay his university tuition the next semester.

[democracyindanger]

2. Nope. If you can find somebody who'll do it

for less than the insurance guy estimated, the savings are all yours. It's not like the insurance company is going to track down exactly what you spent--that's why they cut you a check immediately. It's a minor enough claim. Heck, you could even NOT get it fixed and pocket the dough if you wanted.

[Catherine Vincent]

8. Yes, I would like to find someone that can do the repairs for less but I doubt it.

The check is just over $400 (Farmers already deducted the $500) and I think it would cost more than that to fix.




I would pocket the money but I want this repaired. It makes my car look ugly. My car is only one and a half years old.

[Debi]

9. with pics like that

I'd go get an estimate from a repair shop - if the estimate is for more that what your insurance paid you (less your deductible) contact the adjuster and provide them w/the estimate.

[Catherine Vincent]

11. I will do that.

Thanks.

[democracyindanger]

12. Yeah, don't want that on a 1.5 yo car

Know anyone that's comfortable with tools and cars? I'd take the bumper off to see if there's anything bent underneath. If there wasn't, all you need is a replacement--or, if the bumper's plastic, maybe the dent can be popped out. See if a car detailer can buff out the scratches and the other car's paint. Looks like your headlight assembly got dinged up, too.

If it has to be replaced, I'd find a local auto salvage parts joint and see if they have a headlight assembly and a) the bumper in the right color, or b) the bumper at all. Then I'd replace it all myself. You could also look on eBay, or if it comes down to it, ordering a new part through the dealer parts department.

Eliminating labor costs might get you under $400.

[kwassa]

3. some shops will bury the deductible, and just take the check.

You can ask. Adjusters usually know the cost at reputable shops. I'm surprised they didn't cut you a two-party check to you and the shop.

Get three estimates on your own. Your insurance company will go after the guy that hit you, if you have info on him, to pay them back.

I was an adjuster for Farmers about 25 years ago, in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, etc.

[GardeningGal]

4. If you do the work, keep all your receipts and document that the

damage was fixed. Some insurance companies that pay a claim will want proof that the work was done if you file another claim later that involved the same place on the car.

[flvegan]

5. Track down the hit-n-run perp

and tell him that it'll cost $1000 for you to not call the cops on him. Everyone wins.

Seriously, though, if you can find a quality place that will do it for the amount of the check, you don't have to pay anything.

[soleft]

10. I remember keeping the difference

between the check and what the repairs cost. And once I got a check and never had the repairs done - it was an old car and it was all cosmetic.

[PBS Poll-435]

13. Is your Camry an "LE" or an "SE"?

I can't tell...


Edited because I missed a letter!

[Catherine Vincent]

14. It's an SE. nt

[PBS Poll-435]

15. 'Dats what I meant....

V6 or 4?

:-)

[Catherine Vincent]

16. It's a V6. I thought all the Camrys were V6. :)

[PBS Poll-435]

17. The V6 RULES!!!

And only about 25% of Camrys sold last year had the V6.

55% of all Camrys sold are the 4-cyl "LE" automatic trans model.


You get speeding tickets? :evilgrin:

[Catherine Vincent]

18. No. I am very careful with watching my speed.

I love the push it gives when I enter the freeway. My previous car was a V4 Camry and I had it for 16 years. It was slow entering the freeway.....don't have that problem now. :)