What to Do if Your Insurance Company and Body Shop Disagree
Introduction
When you get into an accident, the last thing you want to deal with is a disagreement between your insurance company and the body shop. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common occurrence. In this post, we’ll discuss what you can do if your insurance company doesn’t agree with the body shop’s assessment of the damage to your car.
Step 1: Gather Evidence
The first step is to gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. This may include:
* Photos of the damage to your car
* A copy of the police report (if there was one)
* An estimate from the body shop
* Any other documentation that you think may be helpful
Step 2: Contact Your Insurance Company
Once you have gathered your evidence, you should contact your insurance company and file a claim. Be sure to provide them with all of the documentation that you have.
Step 3: Negotiate with Your Insurance Company
Once your insurance company has reviewed your claim, they will likely send an adjuster to inspect your car. The adjuster will then make a determination about the extent of the damage and the cost of repairs.
If you disagree with the adjuster’s assessment, you can try to negotiate with your insurance company. Be prepared to provide them with your own evidence to support your claim.
Step 4: File an Appeal
If you are unable to reach an agreement with your insurance company, you can file an appeal. This will typically involve submitting a written statement to your insurance company explaining why you believe their assessment is incorrect.
Step 5: Contact the Department of Insurance
If you are still unable to resolve the issue with your insurance company, you can contact the Department of Insurance in your state. They may be able to help you mediate a settlement.
Step 6: File a Lawsuit
As a last resort, you may consider filing a lawsuit against your insurance company. This is a complex and expensive process, so it should only be considered as a last resort.
Tips for Dealing with Your Insurance Company
Here are a few tips for dealing with your insurance company if you disagree with their assessment of the damage to your car:
* Be polite and respectful, even if you are frustrated.
* Be prepared to provide evidence to support your claim.
* Be willing to negotiate.
* If you are unable to reach an agreement, don’t hesitate to file an appeal or contact the Department of Insurance.
Conclusion
Dealing with a disagreement between your insurance company and the body shop can be stressful. However, by following these steps, you can increase your chances of getting a fair settlement.
