What happens if I don’t agree with the amount the insurance company is offering me for repairs to my vehicle?

After an accident, your insurance company may not agree to pay for all the repairs you need. For example, your insurance company could say that repairs should cost $1,000 even though your mechanic quoted you $1,700. Fortunately, you can negotiate with your auto insurance company and appeal its decision.

Learning how to compare auto insurance quotes and letting the company know you might choose another insurer could help you negotiate. In this article, we’ll discuss your options if you don’t agree with the amount the insurance company is offering for repairs to your vehicle.

When You Don’t Agree With Your Insurance Company’s Offer

For many reasons, insurance adjusters often come up with lower cost estimates than repair shops. For instance, you may have to pay a deductible before the insurance company will pay for the rest of the expenses, or your car could be worth less than you thought. In some cases, you may not have grounds for an appeal.

However, if you believe your coverage should offer more, you can consider making an appeal. Many mechanics will communicate with your insurance company directly, especially if the company recommended them to you. You can ask your adjuster to speak with the mechanic again.

If possible, you can get another estimate. However, paying for towing to another auto repair shop may cost more than the additional funds you might get from your insurance company.

The Appeals Process If You Don’t Agree With Your Insurance Company

When your insurance company makes its initial decision, you’ll usually get a letter or email describing how the organization reached its conclusion and what evidence it considered.

Read this information carefully, and look for any missing or inaccurate details. Then, you can compose a demand letter, also called an appeal letter, that lists the reasons why you should get more compensation.

After an insurance adjuster reads your letter and reviews your evidence, they’ll usually contact you and let you know if the company is willing to increase its payment. An appeal could take a few weeks.

If you need to get your car in working order before then, you can ask your insurance company’s customer service department to send you the amount offered. Then, let them know that you requested more funds and that you’re not ready to close your claim. This lets you get repairs as soon as possible.

With many mechanics, you can negotiate a payment plan for repair expenses that insurance didn’t cover. If your appeal is successful, you can pay for most of your repairs when you get additional funds from your auto insurance company.

Speaking to a lawyer can be a good idea if the auto insurance company still owes you a large amount. You can file a lawsuit or request professional mediation. In most states, people can’t file a lawsuit if the accident was more than two or three years ago. After that time, the insurance company’s decision is final.

Things You Need for a Successful Appeal

For a successful appeal, you may need several documents, including:

• Repair bills
• Pictures of the accident location and any damage
• Statements about the accident from any witnesses
• Contact information and names
• The insurance information from any other drivers involved
• The police report

It’s also a good idea to save repair estimates and any previous appraisals of your vehicle.

What to Do if You Disagree With Your Insurance Company’s Decision

Understanding what happens if you disagree with your auto insurance company’s decision can help you increase your compensation. If you can’t reach an agreement with your insurance company, you can search for affordable full coverage auto insurance from another provider.