How can appraiser estimate higher than the body shop?

by truvnhc » Sun Aug 29, 2010 05:29 am

Hi guys,

A week ago my car was rear ended by another driver. I took my car to the dealer's body shop to get an estimate. Then his insurance company sent out an independent appraiser to appraise my car's damages. The appraiser's estimate is about $2000 higher than the body shop's estimate. What should I do now?

Should I ask the insurance company to make the check out to me, then I take the car to the body shop to get it repair and keep the different? (knowing that I might have to pay for supplemental repairs).

Or should I just take the appraiser's estimate to the body shop and let them deal with the insurance company and get my car repair? (This might sound stupid b/c the body shop might just jack up the repair and keep all the money).

Thanks for any advice.

Total Comments: 16

Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 11:58 pm Post Subject:

The independent appraiser is writing to replace the quarter panel instead of setting up a measure and pre-pulling prior to repairs.
This is fairly common where the adjuster is not familiar with the particular shop's capabilities or does not want to chance the repairs coming back to haunt him/her in the form of a supplement request from the shop.
With all of that in mind, the shop's estimate could very well increase to match the adjusters if the attempt to repair the existing body panels is not feasible.
You might cash the check, but be prepared to pony up part of the extra $2000 in the long run.

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 08:58 pm Post Subject:

thats a great point moman, adj is replacing the the quarter panel vs repairing it. 8 hrs repair vs replacing a quarter is a big difference in identifying damage and substaintial difference in work. not to mention, the shop would still need to do a pull on that quarter prior to replacing it. i did see where he paid for a set up an measure, just no pull time, could have been an oversite. i could definitely see the shop supplementing the company and requesting more time or even replacing that quarter after the "unsuccessfully attempted repair".

if the company pays for the damage, as momon correctly pointed out, you on on the hook for any supplemental repairs or potential issues by keeping the difference. although, from the estimate vs the shops estimate, seems the adjuster is playing on the way side of CYA.

talk to your shop, make sure you are dealing w/ a shop that can do the repairs (safely and correctly) as they estimated and will stand behind their work b/c if you keep the difference, and issues arise later, it will be b/w you and the shop...insurance co would most likely be off the hook.

good call moman.

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:33 pm Post Subject:

Thank you mbyork
:oops:

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 09:30 pm Post Subject: my insurance appraisal is 5000 lower than the body shops

Hit a deer with my truck. I took it to a body shop and they gave me a guess estimate of 8600. Then I had a insurance appraisal person look at it and they said 3600. What is the difference?

Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2013 01:48 pm Post Subject:

I took it to a body shop and they gave me a guess estimate of 8600. Then I had a insurance appraisal person look at it and they said 3600. What is the difference?



$5000

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