re: State Farm estimate vs 2 estimates from body shops??

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Don't tell me what to do. I assume you've read yours, in its entirety?

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Had cause to read it recently. But you made the point perfectly...there are lots of issues that most people aren't aware of at all cause most people don't read it. Or their insurance policy.

They don't force you to use their preferred shops. You can take your wrecked vehicle to any shop. They only require you to be adjusted by a S.F. adjuster.

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They only require you to be adjusted by a S.F. adjuster.

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They entered into a contract to indemnify their client for all torts. Their requirements are of little concern of an injured 3rd party.

Negligence = duty, breach, causation, damages. The last of which is calculated.

An mva is 99 times out of 100 negligent operation of a vehicle. Perhaps I'm over simplifying.

Most of the info in here is pretty good. I wish I had seen the thread earlier.

State Farm handles claims the same all over the U.S.

You can:
A. Bring it to a "select service" or "service first" shop and the entire claim will be handled by the shop. To be on this list, a shop signs a contract with State Farm agreeing to their rates, methods of repair, not charge them for materials and what parts to be used (including aftermarket, used and reconditioned parts) and in return State Farm will steer customers towards that shop.
B. Go to the State Farm drive thru (if it's available in your area) and bring state farm's estimate to your preferred body shop. Your shop will file the supplements for repairs needed to get the vehicle repaired. (99.9% of the time the insurance estimate is low because they hope you take that low-ball check they write and go buy yourself something nice and forget about your repairs)
C. Tell State Farm you want an adjuster to come to you. This usually takes longer because it takes a while for them to come out. You will essentially get the same estimate and the same steps apply as B.
D. (Best option IMO) tell State Farm where/what shop you're dropping your vehicle off at. The shop will do tear down if needed and the adjuster will show up and be forced to go over the repairs with someone who repairs vehicles. They won't necessarily pay for all the needed repairs but they'll pay better than if you're on your own. (Case in point: I've never been fully compensated for repairs on any vehicle I've repaired for a State Farm insured, whether it be $5.00 or $5000.00). Pick a shop you trust, they'll handle the rest.

Rule of thumb: if you're talking to State Farm (or any insurance company), you're being lied to. It's that simple.

Also, if you think the insurance commissioner in this state is going to help you, you're dreaming. Donelon's a politician and has gotten rich off of his "campaign contributions" from all the major insurance companies. He's allowed the insurance companies to not pay claims on property and casualty and raise their rates his entire time in office. He's a joke and has never once sided with a repairer against an insurer in all the cases I've seen. Insurers break our (very) few laws concerning repairs and insurers every day and nothing is ever done about it.

Good luck with your claim and repairs.

VOTE MATT PARKER for insurance commissioner in November.

(/rant)

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I thought so too. I'm not sure what they're trying to pull.
In the meantime, I've been unable to drive my truck for almost 3 weeks!

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The damage is so bad that you can't drive, yet it's ONLY $800 to fix it??

I posted without reading past the first page. I went back and read it.

Captain you're so wrong on so much it's mind boggling. You're a typical customer believing that your insurance company is out there to protect you. Insurance companies have only one thing on their agenda and that is to make money for themselves/shareholders AND THAT IS IT.

answer this question for me: why does a shop repairing a vehicle that you're going to be putting yourself or family back into that travels 140 mph at oncoming vehicles make less an hour than a lawn mower mechanic?

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Their approved body shops are the best ones in Cenla, and I would bet that is the same everywhere

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I'm sorry but this statement is just wrong. Many years ago, you had to qualify to be a "State Farm shop". That's not the case anymore. The business decision was made to turn any shop that wanted to be into a State Farm shop this way they could suppress labor rates and use the term "prevailing rate".

Well shite man, if 80% of the shops in an area are State Farm shops, you've set the prevailing rate. That's called price fixing.

for reference, I removed myself from state farm's "service first" program a year ago after being a whore for them for almost 20 years and am also State Farm insured (home, auto, life, etc.)

I'm sure this is just a precautionary standard procedure that State Farm has so you don't just take your car to a buddy's shop and get him to give you an estimate of $3k and you both pocket the excess (see fraud kickbacks).

i'd also like to add this little tidbit just for the enjoyment of the general public: even a beauticians and florists have to have a license
it's kind of sick that there are no licensing requirements for body shops.