Don't do it! Once you take that check from Allstate, you have settled the claim - Read the fine print.

 

Remember the Allstate commerical, "Your in good hands with Allstate". Now picture those two hands firmly squeezing a very sensitive part of the male anatomy. ALL, ALL insurance companies have you this way. Don't EVER forget that!!!

 

This makes the most sense!! She can put pressure on Allstate better than you can, but in the mean time contact your lawyer and have him write a letter and explain the "facts of life" to Allstste, you'd be surprise how fast Allstate will come around.

 

Actually unless the check specifically says it's offered in full and final settlement of any and all claims - you can cash it. It is traditional the body shop will contact the insurance carrer and request "suplemental" inspections/checks. For example if Allstate estimated x hours to swap out a y and the repair shop wants more or took longer they call Allstate who sends out another adjuster to cut a additional check. It is up to the body shop you chose if they want to deal with allstate or not.

If the actual repair costs and allstates initial check are too far apart, I would put heat on their insured, and request your file transfered to an allstate manager, before starting any repairs.

 

I got a call this afternnon from a claims manager at Allstate (I didnt think they were even open on saturdays) asking if it was ok if another adjuster met me at the bodyshop when I bring my car in and assured me the repairs would be done to my complete satisfaction. I told them that would be fine and to keep the file open because I will be looking for a diminished value claim after the repairs are complete. I guess the lady that hit my car got my overnighted letter this morning and called Allstate. Completely different tone this time I guess they are no longer on a first name basis with me they now call me sir and Mr.
Thank you for all the advice I got on this it made all the difference

 

Oops, I neglected to tell you... it's my advice to hold off on mentioning the DV stuff. For now concentrate on getting the car repaired to your 100% satisfaction.

Actually the manager you spoke to has already pressed the red DV claim button so when you meet with the new adjuster you might bring up rental car & DV in a question format that will not put them as much on the defensive. Plenty of time to get serious about play the DV cards.

There is no question your letter reminding everyone that your issues are with their policyholder, not Allstate... and you only intend to work with Allstate directly as long as they don't jack you around.... brought them a little closer to Jesus.

 

Now in all fairness, I don't recall anyone mentioning death for adjusters? Possibly there was some vague reference to adjusters being born sterile and perhaps one fella intimated something about gaping stomach wounds in the desert... but I think that's about as far as the well wishers went....



Hey, I've met a lot of adjusters that are nice people - one can't talk in generalities without generalizations. Most are trained to minimize the loss (payout) and frankly that's okay too. I agree people on both sides of the equasion will sometimes take advantage of the situation. One of the things which makes your job particullarly tough is you can't magically make the accident go away, so your often dealing with people who aren't happy campers.

Bearing in mind this is not a first party claim and therefore not subject to policy terms & conditions... I have two questions for you about this claim.

1. Have you ever paid a third party legal liability DV claim?
2. What would you say to our golden haired boy if he told you he wanted to drive around in a rented vette while his car was being worked on? Remember you can't reach around for your handy dandy claims adjusting rule book that is witten so you have guidelines on how to handle your insureds. Your insured recka mi RR, I'ma gonna renta nodder RR, because I'm a RR kinda guy.

 

This is simple,.....if your insurance company would rather pay than deal with allstate thats their problum and all I can say is a lot of people just do not want to hear it Allstate has one of the most amazing bad records of any company in a country where bad service is the norm!! just find out how many times they have be kicked out of how many states for their bad bisness practises over 30 years!! and about all the "I have had them for so long and no problums blah blah, well, I always over time see these SAME whiners a year later crying about getting screwed by allstate!!!!! Here is there latest SCAM, they will no longer use omc or factory parts!!!! and the crap from china that they DO use will guaranteed ruin the resale value of your car!!!! the good news is, WE voted for It!!!!!!! and right now the mega Insurance conglomerants OWN the White House and are telling every one to go away that files a claim nation wide!

 

I was thinking about changing insurance companies - heard too many allstate stories. They are crossed off my list.

 

Had a similar experience with State Farm years ago. I went to my insurance company. They fixed it right and also recouped my deductible from State Farm for me.

 

I am an insurance agent. Just started my 28th year in the business. Not with Allstate. I only read the first page of this post and there are some good suggestions and there are some misconceptions. The main misconception is that it is "your insurance company's responsibility no matter what happens". Wrong. You should not have to use your policy unless your are getting screwed by the other company. Then use your coverage and go thru the subrogation process. If you have a good arguement, your company will win in subrogation and you will get your deductible back. You will not be able to go to another adjuster with the same company. They might assign another if you keep bitching and complaining but you cannot just go to another. Best of luck with your claim.

 

I believe I second that! I've been quoted $300 less annually by another insurance so... Adios Allstate for me!

 

one other thing, H82WRK is correct at least with the company I represent, the first dollar recouped in subrogation goes to the client until his deductible is paid back to him and then we keep what we paid him/her.

 

Agreed Allstate sucks!!! Too bad this post wasn't around a year ago.

To make a long story short....I was rear-ended. The person that rear ended me didn't have insurance so I had to go through my uninsured motorist policy with Allstate.

My C5 is black and the first time around they only painted the front/rear of the car. When I noticed the color difference they tried to blend. When that didn't work, they told me I'd have to pay 25% of the cost of a complete repaint. The rationale they presented was that my paint was 4 years old and they were giving me a new paint job.

 

Great advice from SultansDiamond. The one thing that was re-affirmed for me here is to not enter into first party policies (auto, homeowners, etc.) with direct writers or firms who use only captive agents. I'll stick with my local brokerage firm who writes my coverage on a very premium competitive basis with personalized service.

 

We have all been having a great time bad mouthing insurance carriers. I'm not too crazy about any of what's known as the "direct carriers" - Allstate, State Farm, Farmers, etc. Also the ones who seem to advertise the most (Geico, Progressive) have fairly ridgid claims adjusting proceedures. At the end of the day they are all okay and can adjust claims to your ultimate satisfaction with a little persistance and tenacity. Other than a hand full of carriers most are using independent adjusters and they are contracted to follow "first party" guidelines. In the words of Shakespear - "ah, there's the rub".

We gotta say something nice about somebody.

There is one carrier which is simply OUTSTANDING and that is USAA. If you can qualify to go with them. Premiums are great, service is outstanding! I simply love 'em and we have our share of dances together. They don't argue or nit pick great folks to work with. Normally I would say they are the Cadillac of carriers, but these days that's probably not a meaningful analogy plus I can't spell Mercedes.

 

It's the only way to get to direct carriers. They employ in-house "agents" vrs. dealing with "brokers". A broker can't get to a direct carrier. Sometimes you may want to use Farmers, or State Farm for homeowners insurance, or even small commercial. They can pretty effectively fill nitches and actually be the best game in town. Many of their policies are pretty idiot proof and written on broad forms.... not, always as true with broker carriers where forms can vary by carrier. Also, you may find your weaker financial carriers, non-admitted, speciality programs (high value, collectables, Lloyds, etc. etc), it's a rainbow through brokers - some strong, some weak... some with broad forms others with restrictive ones, in other words good 'n bad.

The real problem is auto insurance is just a bummer no matter who your with. None of the carriers are blank checks - you gotta know how the game is played and be willing to play it if you want other than cookie cutter repairs.


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Sultan that last comment is what's important to me as a Corvette owner. "If you want other than cookie cutter repairs."

My wife and I have a 2000 F-150, a 2005 Navigator and the 2004 Corvette. If one of the trucks is damaged I have no problem letting my dealer fix it but the Corvette is another matter. To me the truck and the SUV are just cars.

The Vette is another matter altogher. To me its a specalty car. I lovingly care for it, it's a hobby for me and I put lots of extras into it. So can I ask your advice again. Where can I find an insurance carrier for my Corvette that understands its special nature? This needs to include protecting my investment in all of those special aftermarket parts.

And by the way, thanks for all of your input it's been very educational.