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: LEM: 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: LEM: Before the shop will give you your car back, it needs more money. SOLUTION: There are a couple of 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 them the authority to pay the shop directly. PROBLEM: LEM: The insurance company requires that the shop only replace damaged with used parts. SOLUTION: As I talked about earlier, this is the usual. The company’s job is to get your car back to how it was right before the accident, and using new parts would actually make it better — and cost them more money in the process. If you decide you’re okay with used parts, be sure they’re in good condition. If you decide you still want new parts, your insurer will cover what the used parts would’ve cost, and you’ll pay whatever the difference is between the used and new parts.
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