Two-party Claim Check Question

by cheetahboom » Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:42 pm

My car was recently in a really bad hail storm. I have no deductible on my coverage and so I took my car in to my insurance catastrophe center and had an estimate done. They cut my a check for the amount they thought it cost to get it fixed.

I still owe on my car so the check was made out to me and the auto body shop. I did not tell the body shop how much my insurance gave me but his estimate was almost a lot less than what my insurance gave me.

I would like the work done there but i am also interested in keeping the extra money. How would i go about doing that?

Total Comments: 2

Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 03:22 pm Post Subject:

In case of a check made out to multiple parties you need to note the words written on the check itself. If it says pay- (your name) OR (auto body shop)... then it is possible for you to endorse it have it cashed. If the check reads pay- (your name) AND (auto body shop)... then both parties must endorse the check before it can be processed. In case the check says the latter, talk it out with the auto body shop guy and maybe you guys can reach a mutual agreement.

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 03:23 pm Post Subject:

If the auto body mechanic gave you a price that is less than the insurance company's estimate, he needs to honor that price, endorse the check, and you get to keep the difference. If he refuses to do that, you file a complaint with the agency that regulates auto body repair shops. In CA it is the Dept of Consumer Affairs.

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