Hit and run: Other insurance gave me a low ball offer of $1k.

[cguy200]

How would I go about getting a better estimate? Do I have to fix the car if I get a higher estimate? Appraiser came to my house and only offered $1k. 3 panels are damaged in front of my car. If I go to another shop for an estimate, do I have to fix it and show them the receipt? Or can I just get an estimate and have them send me a check?



This happened in DTLA, CA

 

[pcgeek11]

Maybe. Get three estimates and give them to the insurance company and see what they do.

Is the car financed? It will make a difference. If yes they will more than likely make a joint check out to you and the finance company.

 

[JEDIYoda]

The truth of the matter is that your screwed!!

 

[jlee]

Have you involved your insurance company yet?

 

[gururu2]

don't they usually give you an option to use their body repair shops and wait for a repair estimate from them?

 

[Midwayman]

You never have to repair. However if you don't and there is damage the adjuster or shop didn't catch you won't get paid for it. Also it may cause issues with future claims.

Get estimates a couple places. Submit the highest. If they insist on more, give them more. You can have it repaired somewhere cheaper. Don't forget you can claim a rental and possibly diminished value. (Depending on state, but 3rd party is way easier.)

 

[BUTCH1]

Have you involved your insurance company yet?

Yea, I'm confused as to who the OP is referring to, if it was a "hit and run" I'm guessing he's dealing with his ins co.

 

[BUTCH1]

You never have to repair. However if you don't and there is damage the adjuster or shop didn't catch you won't get paid for it. Also it may cause issues with future claims.

Get estimates a couple places. Submit the highest. If they insist on more, give them more. You can have it repaired somewhere cheaper. Don't forget you can claim a rental and possibly diminished value. (Depending on state, but 3rd party is way easier.)

I just got my car back today from a hit an run accident. Some maniac slammed into my rear wrecking my bumper, rim, and smashed up the quarter-panel badly. Progressive wanted me to go to "their" repair spot ( a Toyota dealer). I suggested I get an estimate from Jon Hall Chevy (where I bought it) and he started acting dumb, "do they have a body shop?", yea asshole, it's RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the Toyota you were trying to steer me to, the largest volume Chevy dealer in the SE area. Of course he didn't want me going there because they would install all new GM parts so he did his own estimate at my workplace and it came out to $2100-500 deductible so I got a check for $1,600. His estimate was based on refurbish junkyard parts so I went to pick-a-part and got a bumper, rear taillight and alloy rim for $100. I spent 4-5 hours rehabbing the rim then gave the bumper to a local body shop. He's a one-man deal but he's been around and knows his shit, the car came out perfect and he charged me $1,200.

 

[jlee]

Yea, I'm confused as to who the OP is referring to, if it was a "hit and run" I'm guessing he's dealing with his ins co.

If the thread title didn't say 'other insurance' I'd be inclined to agree, but now I'm not so sure.

 

[tracerbullet]

Since this smelled slightly funny I highlighted a snippet of the OP's post and did a right-click search and saw this same question in other forums.

cguy200 are you a real person?

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/3rg14e/hey_reddit_how_would_i_go_about_getting_a_better/

http://www.city-data.com/forum/los-angeles/2475600-hit-run-update-other-insurance-gave.html

 

[razel]

cguy2000 appears real... cguy's got several other posts on reddit and city-data. It's just interesting though, that you'd ask for near very important advice for car related stuff on a computer centric forum. Not that mechanics or car guru's don't visit here, but really. The motive is starting to sound more like, I want attention since I got hurt by a hit-and-run rather than, I need practical advice to get me back on the road which is what car hobbyists enjoy.

By the way, I'd feel shifted by a hit-and-run too, but you're luckily you got enough info to get insurance from the other guy. I got hit-and-run on the freeway once. Guy took off, luckily I remembered his car plate, color, make, model. It was enough info for my insurance company to track the him down. Of course they'll try hard... it's money to them.

 

[slag]

don't they usually give you an option to use their body repair shops and wait for a repair estimate from them?

No, any decent insurance company will tell you to use your shop of choice and just get a couple estimates.

 

[WilliamM2]

If it was hit and run, how does he have the other driver's insurance information?

 

[thesmokingman]

I just got my car back today from a hit an run accident. Some maniac slammed into my rear wrecking my bumper, rim, and smashed up the quarter-panel badly. Progressive wanted me to go to "their" repair spot ( a Toyota dealer). I suggested I get an estimate from Jon Hall Chevy (where I bought it) and he started acting dumb, "do they have a body shop?", yea asshole, it's RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the Toyota you were trying to steer me to, the largest volume Chevy dealer in the SE area. Of course he didn't want me going there because they would install all new GM parts so he did his own estimate at my workplace and it came out to $2100-500 deductible so I got a check for $1,600. His estimate was based on refurbish junkyard parts so I went to pick-a-part and got a bumper, rear taillight and alloy rim for $100. I spent 4-5 hours rehabbing the rim then gave the bumper to a local body shop. He's a one-man deal but he's been around and knows his shit, the car came out perfect and he charged me $1,200.

Whose your insurer? That is some smelly crap. It shouldn't matter wherever you take your car, it's your choice. In the end I suppose it worked out for you so all good.