yours is one of the many states that lets car owners pick the shop. If it is, go back to the insurance company armed with this information and tell them where you’ll be going instead. PROBLEM: The adjuster missed some damage on your car, so the cost to fix it is more than the agreed-upon amount. SOLUTION: One way to likely avoid this issue in the first place is by always ensuring the repair shop feels the estimated amount is correct before you agree to it and get your payment. However, if that ship has already sailed, or if you did this but there was more damage than the shop originally found, just call your adjuster and explain the situation. From there, the adjuster should interact with the shop and you can back out of the discussions. Provided all goes well, you’ll get a second check to cover these additional costs. PROBLEM: You get your check for the estimate but still need to find a repair shop that will make the fixes for that amount. SOLUTION: As I stated above, you want to make sure the shop and the adjuster agree on the costs. So as tempting as it is to cash that check, don’t do it until the agreement has been made. PROBLEM: Before the shop will give you your car back, it needs more money. SOLUTION: There are a couple reasons this might happen, but, in either case, don’t pay the shop out of pocket! The first concern is that it’s possible the shop’s trying to con you. The other is simply that the second check didn’t go through. In either case, contact your insurer and give themthe authority to pay the shop directly. PROBLEM: The insurance company requires that the shop only replace damage with used parts.
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