Best Cost Car Insurance

Auto insurance adjuster -the assessment is too low - what do I do now?

I was in a crash where I was rear-ended last week. The car behind me was held responsible, their insurance will pay. But - I was told by their insurance, which is AllState, to take my car in to an AllState adjuster's office to have it looked at. The car is dangerous to drive, one whole light assembly is broken at the back, but I did drive it to his office. Then the adjuster told me the damage would cost $1500 to mend, and gave me a written sheet with details on it. He told me to give this to any car body repair shop of my choice. I had already got one quote from an car shop - they said $2500. What should I do? I'm worried that the quote is really low from the adjuster, and no body shop would do the work for that little. Should I do as the adjuster wanted, and give his quote sheet to another autobody shop, and get them to quote based on that - or should I not mention the adjuster's quote, and get more quotes without it?I just have this instinct that AllState are trying to rip me off.

Public Comments

1. threaten to sue the person who rear-ended you. That will bring your settlement up. Plus if you DO sue and get a lawyer, they`ll have to pay your lawyers fees also. You may do better talking to a lawyer!
2. get more than one estimate. It may be the $2500 quote was to discourage you - they may have too much business as it is or not like to work on your make of car. Also, ask Allstate if they have a list of preferred repair shops. Some shops work with insurance companies and will take whatever amount their adjuster says it should cost. Sometimes they make out; other times they break even; but they'll seldom lose money. AAA has such a list for members; find someone sho is a member and have them ask for you. Also, check to see if the adjuster will revisit the car while in the shop if hidden damage is uncovered - like a frame problem.
3. Contact you insurance company and have their adjuster give you an estimate. Also get the shop estimate in writing and signed by the owner. Then call the insurance dept in the attorney generals office in the state capital and report that All State is ripping you off and are lowballing repair costs by $ 1,000.Write to the AG with a copy to All State.
4. Take your vehicle to the repairer of YOUR CHOICE. They have dealt with Allstate thousands of times and will have no trouble with supplemental payments if additional, hidden damage is found during repairs. Note: Allstate or any other insurer does NOT have to accept higher than average repair labor/material rates and they do have the option of estimating used and/or non-original equipment parts on their estimates. You have the option of using any repair technique or replacement part you see fit but you will be expected to pay the difference. My advice: show the estimate to the repair shop and ask them if there will be any issues with Allstate.
5. First things first. Never deal with the other guys Insurance agency by your self. Contact your insurance and get them involved. These companies have lawyers you should too. Do not deal with them yourself you do not have to take there estiment at all. You can get your car fixed by whoever you want and they have to pay for it.
6. Yep, do what the adjuster said. See, most body shops have two hourly rates they charge - one for insurance claims, and one for cash claims. Big surprise, the insurance hourly rate is LOWER. That $1,000 difference COULD be just labor rates. I'd take the Allstate appraisal back to the shop that gave you the $2500 rate, and see what they say.
7. Who do you think that adjuster works for? Not you that is for sure. Take the car into your nearest car dealer for your car. You are more likely to get original body parts and not some off the wall knock offs. The auto dealer will give the insurance company there estimate and the decision to take the money offered (which is not likely) From there insurance company would be theres. You will not be out of pocket at all and get a rental car while your car is being fixed. That too is on that insurance company.
8. Directly from Allstate.com: I've bookmarked this site to go back to... http://insurance.123thebest.info/ All the best to you.