Is your body shop charging more than your insurance is willing to cover? (Total loss situation)
I experienced this in Texas with State Farm. I was rear-ended, and the other driver admitted liability. Now, my vehicle is considered a total loss. The body shop is billing $2,100, but the insurance is only covering $1,400, leaving me responsible for the remaining balance. I don’t want to pay anything out of pocket or deduct it from my car settlement. How can I ensure they cover the full amount? Additionally, I had a rental car for a few days until I was informed about the total loss, but the insurance won’t reimburse me for it after that. Can I also get reimbursed for transportation costs like the rental car or Uber?
Body shop overcharging, insurance doesn’t want to cover all of it? (Total loss)
I’m sorry to hear about your situation; dealing with insurance and body shops can be really frustrating. Here are a few steps you can take to address the issue with State Farm and the body shop:
Review the Policy: Go over your insurance policy carefully to understand what is covered, especially regarding total losses and rental car coverage. Make sure you know the specifics about what your insurance is obligated to pay.
Get a Detailed Estimate: Ask the body shop for a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the repair. Compare this with the estimate provided by State Farm. There may be discrepancies that you can discuss with your insurance adjuster.
Negotiate with the Body Shop: If you haven’t already, see if the body shop can lower their charges. Sometimes they may have flexibility, especially if they know you’re working with an insurer.
Contact Your Insurance Adjuster: Reach out to your claims adjuster at State Farm. Present the detailed estimate from the body shop and explain why you believe the full amount should be covered. Don’t hesitate to ask them to re-evaluate your case.
Documentation: Keep all documentation, including estimates, communication with the insurance adjuster, and any rental car receipts. This will help you make your case for reimbursement or adjustment.
Request Additional Transportation Costs: Since your rental car coverage may have lapsed when State Farm declared your car a total loss, it’s worth asking if they can provide any compensation for alternative transportation, such as Uber rides, especially if the loss impacted your ability to get to work or other essential places.
File a Complaint if Needed: If you’re still not getting satisfactory responses, consider filing a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance. They may be able to intervene on your behalf.
Consult a Professional: If you’re running into roadblocks, consider consulting with an attorney who specializes in insurance claims. They can help clarify your rights and options.
Remember to stay persistent and keep following up. Good luck!