[Cardinals4505]

Somebody drunk backed into my '99 Escort Sedan and damaged the back passenger door and part of the rear quarter panel.

The state farm guy came out today and talked with me about the work that needed to be done. I was really nice to him, but didn't think he was the estimator until he told me at the end. He did not estimate the cost, just what he thought needed to be done and assured me the claim would be processed soon.

Any idea how much money state farm would give me for the damage? Has anyone been hit by someone with their insurance before and if not in the same area, was the price good? I can post pics if needed, but he estimated a new door, buffed out quarter panel, and re-painted front and back passenger doors to match, as well as the rebuffed quarter panel. Thanks, Rob

 

[EscorGo]

They will probably cancel your insurance after they pay off

 

[FordMan59]

Get several estimates and turn in the two or three highest. The insurance company is required by law to get your car back in as good of condition as it was before the accident. I would also recommend taking it to dealerships for the estimates even if you want someone else to do the work, because their estimates will probably be higher. If you don't owe anything on the car then you can have the insurance company cut you check in your name and you can take the car where ever you want to have it repaired. Someone hit my '88 Escort a few years back. I got estimates raging from about $200-$800. Which ones do you think I turned in? In the end I ran upon someone that had one they were getting ready to take to the JY and they told me to just get whatever I needed off of it to fix mine at no cost and I changed out the parts myself and pocketed almost $800.

 

[Cardinals4505]

why would they drop my insurance, it wasn't my fault and i don't have state farm. Also i will get an estimate or two, but he told me that they will turn in his report, but said i didn't need to get an estimate. So i assume he is the estimator, i was just wondering how anyone else was dealt with by State Farm as the innocent party.

 

[FordMan59]

Get the estimates to make sure his numbers are in line with what the body shops ask to repair it. That way if there is a discrepancy in his estimates and the estimates of the body shop it's up to them to work that out, not your responsibility. You don't have to give them the estimates unless they are not giving you enough to get the car repaired, then at that point let them know you have done your homework too. Lots of insurance companies have certain people they like to do their work because they will do it cheaper and use inferior parts, but in most states it's the car owners decision who does the repairs.

 

[zzyzzx]

Get the estimates to make sure his numbers are in line with what the body shops ask to repair it. That way if there is a discrepancy in his estimates and the estimates of the body shop it's up to them to work that out, not your responsibility. You don't have to give them the estimates unless they are not giving you enough to get the car repaired, then at that point let them know you have done your homework too. Lots of insurance companies have certain people they like to do their work because they will do it cheaper and use inferior parts, but in most states it's the car owners decision who does the repairs.

I agree with the above statement 100%.

 

[Onegimp]

Once they cut the check they are not going to pay out any more if the bill is more then the check so make sure they pay out enough and becafull what you sign. Insurance companies want to pay out as little as they can.

 

[nezwick]

They will probably cancel your insurance after they pay off

+1 State Farm FTL

 

[pextor]

he doesn't have state farm. the other person does.

 

[FordMan59]

Once they cut the check they are not going to pay out any more if the bill is more then the check so make sure they pay out enough and becafull what you sign. Insurance companies want to pay out as little as they can.

If it's my car and they are not paying me enough to get it repaired I'm not signing a release until they cut another check. They are also responsible for any hidden damage that might be found after removing other parts. The insurance company is going to try to get it done as cheaply as possible, but they still have responsibilities to the person who received the damage and are bound by law.

 

[Cymmantix]

^Werd. A guy in an SRX sideswiped my sister's Corolla right in the front wheel/fender a few years back. His insurance initially only covered the body damage (that the adjuster had determined). But, the car was hit on the tranny side so both that and the axle, plus suspension parts had to be replaced. Of course it was a fight because the initial claims adjuster didn't do his job, but in the end they had to pay. It ended up totaling about $500 less than the car was worth!

 

[MadBrad]

What do you mean a payoff? Why do you want the money? Do they even do that? You take it to the body shop of your choice, and they'll do the job after the adjuster looks at it and OKs the work. If any of the work doesn't meet your approval, you tall the insurer and take it back to the shop and they will correct it.

 

[pextor]

He can take the money and run. they don't care if he fixes the car or not. he can go to the junkyard and get a pair of doors (hopefully in color even) and just put them on.

 

[MadBrad]

Well I know they can offer a cash alternative but it's usually less, and doesn't cover sales tax. I took this option once involving a break in and theft.
Anytime some idiot has driven into the wife's cars, I let a good bodyshop fix it. Once, in the Saturn, they only approved aftermarket bodyparts. The hood looked like it was made of tin foil and the headlights were wonky and could not be aimed. I just let them know and they did it all again with factory parts.

 

[EGTERIC]

state farm sucks

 

[pextor]

If he doesn't have a preferred body shop, they will write the check directly to him. it's not really a "cash alternative".

 

[1992tracerlts]

Its nice knowing a guy that owns a body shop, if I ever get hit and it doesnt total out my car, I can get my car fixed and some extra cash out of the deal. Shoot this winter he helped out a buddy of mine who smashed up his truck, and he covered his 500 dollar deductable.