Hit & Run and repairs after

[adjusterjack]

I received an email that they "successfully processed a payment of 1100 and the check should arrive in 7-10 days".. I never indicated I was accepting it. Yes I emailed them our estimate.

They don't need your agreement to send the check.

Here is the situation. I just called her.
She said that I need to give their $1100 estimate to the bodyshop and if the bodyshop decides that the cost is higher, they need to contact the appraiser. Then the appraiser is going to approve or not approve higher cost and a new check may be mailed if higher cost is approved...
Any advice?

Cooperate. It's your only chance to get more money.

You have no leverage. When you accuse someone of damaging your property and you demand money you have to prove you are entitled to that money. A $4000 estimate without a hands-on examination of the car is not that proof.

Even if a body shop confirmed $4000 worth of damage, and even if the insurer accepted that confirmation, the car is likely to be ruled a total loss at an ACV (actual cash value) considerably less than the repair cost. You would have to surrender the car and sign over the title.

If you wanted to keep the car the insurer would deduct the salvage value (maybe $500 to $1000) and you would get even less money. You would also be likely end up with salvage title. A salvage title means you cannot operate the vehicle on the road until it's repaired, inspected by the state, and a rebuilt title is issued.

You want $4000. You want to keep the car and not repair it.

That is never going to happen.

 

[zddoodah]

Any advice?

Yes. Do this: "give their $1100 estimate to the bodyshop and if the bodyshop decides that the cost is higher, they need to contact the appraiser."

 

[Jocker]

They don't need your agreement to send the check.




Cooperate. It's your only chance to get more money.

You have no leverage. When you accuse someone of damaging your property and you demand money you have to prove you are entitled to that money. A $4000 estimate without a hands-on examination of the car is not that proof.

Even if a body shop confirmed $4000 worth of damage, and even if the insurer accepted that confirmation, the car is likely to be ruled a total loss at an ACV (actual cash value) considerably less than the repair cost. You would have to surrender the car and sign over the title.

If you wanted to keep the car the insurer would deduct the salvage value (maybe $500 to $1000) and you would get even less money. You would also be likely end up with salvage title. A salvage title means you cannot operate the vehicle on the road until it's repaired, inspected by the state, and a rebuilt title is issued.

You want $4000. You want to keep the car and not repair it.

That is never going to happen.

I have never said I wanted 4000 and not to repair
I want them to pay what the damage actually is (no, I was never hoping to get 4000). You are the one who said "Definitely more than 1100". Then I want to repair when the car is back with me and probably do it the cheap way, given that it's an old car. Means finding some people who can do it for me for less than the insurance has paid.
I also want to keep the difference for all the inconvenience it caused
I also keep in mind that the insurance "has to return the car into pre-accident condition". I didn't ask their client to do what he did. There is a lot of hassle for my family, plus the wrecked vehicle.

Soeaking about hands on examination... for sure the one my daughter had done in a real shop is much more "hands on" than what isurance decided by looking at the photos...

 

[adjusterjack]

You sent your estimate. Report the results when you get a response.

 

[Jocker]

You sent your estimate. Report the results when you get a response.

I already said that the person told me that the shop needed to call the appraiser with this, instead of me sending her their estimate. She didnt accept this estimate for anything.
I don't quite understand, if the shop negotiates with the appraiser does it mean that the insurance sends money to them and im obligated to repair with this shop? Needless to say i feel bad asking the shop to spend time doing anything for us given i have no intention to repair with them

Maybe when i find the right shop we will do the process that the insurance expects us to do

 

[adjusterjack]

There's no way to predict what will happen. Do what you feel is best for you.