Title: Stalemate with Car Insurance and Body Shop: Who’s at Fault?
I’m currently facing a frustrating situation with my vehicle at our usual body shop. For the most part, everything has been running smoothly, and we’re down to finalizing the supplemental claims.
However, there’s a snag. The body shop requires appraisers to sign in, but the appraisers are refusing to do so. The shop claims that this is the first time in 40 years that they’ve encountered such an issue. Interestingly, the original appraiser who assessed the repair had no problem signing in.
When I reached out to my claims adjuster, I was informed that, according to state law, appraisers are not obligated to sign in, and therefore they can refuse. The body shop is unwilling to let the appraiser dictate their policy, so now I’m faced with a dilemma: either I move my vehicle to a new shop that can accommodate an appraiser or I pay the remaining supplemental costs out of pocket.
Is the body shop justified in standing firm on their policy? While state law supports the appraiser’s right to refuse signing in, does that make their refusal unnecessarily difficult?
It sounds like you’re stuck in a frustrating situation, and it’s understandable to feel upset about it. The body shop is certainly justified in wanting to uphold their policies, especially if it’s been their standard practice for decades. They likely have reasons for their policy, such as ensuring proper documentation and communication during the appraisal process.
On the other hand, the appraisers refusing to sign in, despite this being an unusual situation, could come off as unnecessarily rigid. If there’s a reasonable way for both parties to work together without compromising their standards, it would be best for everyone involved.
Ultimately, your frustration may be more directed towards the system as a whole rather than either party specifically. It might help to express your concerns to both the body shop and your insurance company and see if they can find a compromise. Perhaps escalating the issue could lead to a more productive resolution. In the meantime, keep an eye on your options, including transferring to a new shop if it comes to that. Your main concern should be getting your vehicle repaired efficiently and without incurring extra costs.