The insurance guy came by (two weeks after my dang accident!) to look at the vehicle. Told me 805 to fix it. Ha! I couldn't even get it fixed at that price if I bought the parts (salvage) and paint and did it myself. The lowest estimate I got was 1800, the highest was 2800. I got EIGHT estimates.

I'm pissed. I've never dealt with insurance companies like this before, and I am pissed.

 

They're out to dick you. By law they have to let you bring it to your repair shop of your choice, and in theory pay for that estimate, assuming it isaccurate. Tell them you want only brand new OEM parts, and they have to pay for them. Thats what I did, and it took a $1300 estimate to 2500.

 

what ins. co?

 

Travelers, St. Paul Minneapolis.

 

is it a small insurance company? you should always go with one of the bigger names... cheaper rates and they never try to pull this kind of stuff.

 

Travelers is huge. It used to be the premiere insurance company. You're probably too young to remember the commercials with the umbrella.

 

that is not true. i work for an auto insurance company. depends on the year of the vehilce and the miles that are on it. also probly depends on the state too

 

Well, if they said 805, then ask them where to take it to that will do it for that price. They HAVE to repair it, ask them where they would like you to take it that will fix it for 805.

 

A little insurance terming which insurance companies can use to swing in there favor, Indemnify, The principle reason for insurance is to make whole again, now underwriting can determine this to mean on a older car, like or similar parts can be used to put the car back into its previous condition. With big insurers they will generally fix car with new parts rather than trying to find used or refurbs, but there is no law stating they have too, if they can put a refurbed part on and make it run the way it did before, then they held up there end. Some people think that if they get into an accident that they should be over compensated when the insurance companies are just there to get you back to where you started. Don't get me wrong LME, i'm not saying that what your doing, but alot of people have fender benders and want reiger front ends put on instead of the factory bumper.
If you can, find out who travlers authorized repair shops are you can probably take you car there have them get a quote with the part you say (i.e. new parts.) and see what there estimate comes out too, there doesn't leave much room for travelers to argue. they approved that shop to make estimates for them. when you look at insurance compaines check there claims ratings as well as premiums.

 

Thanks for all the advice.

smokeU, this is the insurance company of the driver that hit me. It was a company vehicle, a concrete truck, and he just nicked me. Problem is, when a concrete truck nicks an a4, it causes a lot of damage!

I think basically what I'm going to have to do is take it to a repair facility and have them speak with the insurance company and get lots of amendments to the estimate.

The guy that did the estimate though, is a complete total retard.