Insurance for car damage, explain to me how this works

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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Sorry if this is a stupid question, I've never made a claim myself, so I'm not sure how this works. The last claim made for a car I drove was 13 years ago when I was 17 and my parents handled that.

Some may remember this thread about my new car getting keyed. Well yesterday the insurance guy came to look at it, and did an estimate for $826. Since I haven't picked a body shop yet, they said they are sending me the check for $826. So I bring this check to a body shop to get it repaired. Say they estimate the real cost of the repair is $926, I pay this $100 difference? Who do I pay my $500 deductible to? Or is this $100 difference considered part of the deductible?

I guess what I'm confused about is the $500 deductible. I always thought that was what I paid, and then the insurance company covers whatever over that amount. Or is it that they've already taken the $500 out of the $826 they gave me, and the actual cost is going to be around $1326?
 
Dec 10, 2005
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You pay the deductible amount (in your case $500) and they cover the rest, hence the check for $826.
 

SonnyDaze

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2004
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Originally posted by: trmiv
I guess what I'm confused about is the $500 deductible. I always thought that was what I paid, and then the insurance company covers whatever over that amount. Or is it that they've already taken the $500 out of the $826 they gave me, and the actual cost is going to be around $1326?

I would think if their estimate for repair was $826 then they would send you a check for $326 and you put that with your $500 deductible to get the repair done.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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Ted, did you get a written estimate from the body shop? it should state the price for the repairs BEFORE any deductable.
The deductible is the amount you must pay toward a claim before your insurance begins to pay. For example, if you have a $500 claim and your policy has a $100 deductible, you will pay $100 and your insurance will pay $400. Selecting higher deductibles is one way to reduce your premiums. Of course, you must decide whether the monthly savings are worth the risk of paying more in the event of an accident.
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,668
1
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I have not been to a body shop yet. The insurance company sent their guy out to look at the car yesterday, I haven't had a chance to the car in to be looked at. I just called to clear it up with them since the communications I got via email made it sound like they were sending me a check for $826. They are actually sending me $326. The email made it sound like the $500 was already taken out and I was getting $826. Now I just need to find a GOOD place to bring it in my area.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,678
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Take your car to a couple of good body shops in the area for an estimate. Then, if they're more than what the insurance company is saying, you can fight for more $$$...IMO, NEVER accept their first offer...they usually lowball you.
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,668
1
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The adjuster told me if the amount is over $826 I have the body shop contact them, and they handle it on their end.