Hello everyone,
AsSalaamo Alaikum!
Anyone here have a background in Auto Insurance, or know much about how it works? I have a specific scenario I’d like to ask about. Will post if someone can first chime in to confirm presence por favor. Muchos Gracias!
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
Wa Alaikum asSalaam!
Nope, but good thread. I need to know how auto insurance works too, preferably in the States.
Awaiting for the auto insurance guy...
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
“Awaiting for the auto insurance guy…” 
But what if the person turns out be like a jolly female. Like Flo from progressive. 
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
Mujhe pakka pata hay ke insurance wala guy hi ho ga! 
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
I guess you might need to be a bit more specific.
adjusting tie
Ahem.
Not an auto insurance guy, but I’ve had to submit a fair amount of claims 
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
^LOL.
Situation is this: Hit a road hazard on the expressway which caused a little bit of cosmetic damage to bottom corner of the bumper on driver side, and the plastic undercarriage/fender well cover came loose because the clips holding it to the bumper broke as a result.
In a nutshell, the insurance can repair it at their service center, or give me a check for the damages, or I can opt to have it repaired at a place of my choice.
As of today, I have decided to go ahead and get it repaired at the place of my choice. Insurance inspection was last week, and an estimate was provided. The chosen place of repair is certified by the car manufacturer, and their quality of work is rated very highly, and they'll warranty the work for as long as I own the vehicle same as Insurance Service Center option.
I just wasn't sure at the time of asking the question if it would be better to opt for payout and then just go to the shop on my own, but the shop said if they find additional repairs they will get supplemental money from Insurance on their own and handle the entire claim from start to finish. So it's all good.
Going to setup covered rental arrangements through the insurance agent tomorrow, and drop the car off for work later this week.
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
But, a theoretical scenario nonetheless, just so others can get clarity:
If you opt for a payout from Insurance on the pretext that you just want money for the damages incurred. But instead decide to get the car repaired with that same amount of money/check from insurance. Can your shop go back to the insurance and say that the initial check wasn't sufficient, and additional money for repairs is needed because of additional damage uncovered after dis-assembling? Can you call and still claim a car rental because car is in repair, or does the pay out essentially result in closure and resolution of the claim with no further action on it?
I hope that made sense.
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
so when you submit the vehicle to the bodyshop you mention the insurance company and tell them I have a check with me of this amount. If the bodyshop estimates comes to be more than the insurance company estimate - they will haggle it out with your insurance company.
On a different note - is the repair estimate significant? also - has the incident been marked as no fault of yours? be careful with invoking your insurance for small claims as if it is deemed at fault incident then your down the line premiums will jack up.
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
The cost of repair is at least 2x more than the deductible. Unfortunately, because the incident could not be tagged to another vehicle (even though the road hazard was created by another vehicle), i have/had to take a ding for it on my insurance profile. I had no way of identifying who the other vehicle was that left stuff in the road. Good reminder about weighing feasibility vis a vis hike in premium though.
What, if any, is the general rule on when not to file a claim and pay out of pocket?
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
I would suggest to go as per Insurance Company proposal and not opt for pay out.
The insurance company can take a long time in paying you the claim amount and will cut depreciation and may altogether refuse certain costs. It will be a headache to negotiate and discuss later on with the insurance co.
Re: Insurance, and filing claims!
Personally, if the cost of repairs by an outside mechanic/body shop is around the deductible amount, I wouldn't bother filing a claim. Most of the money for repair comes out of your pocket, and depending on the insurance company, your premium could go up. In the long run, it will cost you more.
If you do file a claim, for estimates, always tell them that you want to get it repaired at the dealer. Looks like they have different price-lists for dealer, dealer-approved, insurance-approved and outside mechanic, with dealer price being the highest. Once you get the estimate, depending on how much you love your car, you can either get it done at the dealer or take the money and get it fixed elsewhere.
