Insurance claim [Archive] - MX-5 Miata Forum (2024)

hepworth_clark

19th June 2004, 20:39

I've already got a claim number to get my hood and front bumer fixed from the accident I had the other day. Fortunately for me and the guy I hit, his car sustained zero damage. He even took it to a shop and they confirmed there is no damage.

My question is this--can I get all the other dings, dents and scratches fixed at the same time on the same claim number? Obviously I'm not going to lie to my adjuster. First, it's dishonest. Second, they'd never believe that the ding in the driver's door is from me rear-ending someone.

I'm just thinking that I can get a whole bunch done with just one hit on my insurance.

My guess is that the insurance adjuster won't go for it, but what do you think? I have *very* minor hail damage on both the hood and trunk. I have a nice 10", deep scratch on the FL fender (I think one of my nephews got it with their razor scooter), both doors have dings and small dents.

mbelanger

19th June 2004, 21:03

Assuming you are picking the shop, there is no reason you couldn't discuss the extra work with whoever you deal with in the shop. If the shop is going to be billing the company, then they may be willing to work with you on an additional ticket.

When I was hit last month, I had the other party's company cut me a check. When I have the time to get it in the shop, there is other stuff that will get done.

Akira

21st June 2004, 10:36

Originally posted by hepworth_clark:
My question is this--can I get all the other dings, dents and scratches fixed at the same time on the same claim number? Obviously I'm not going to lie to my adjuster. First, it's dishonest. Second, they'd never believe that the ding in the driver's door is from me rear-ending someone.

I'm just thinking that I can get a whole bunch done with just one hit on my insurance. Sorry, that's known as insurance fraud and is a third-degree felony in many states. If it's not part of the accident, it's not part of the claim. However, since the body shop is doing repair/refinish work for the claim, there's no reason why you can't negotiate a lower-than-street rate repair on the other items and pay for that work out-of-pocket. Just make certain that it doesn't even "accidentally" get added to the claim work.

Cinemaniac

21st June 2004, 11:01

Contact your adjuster and talk to him about paying something called "betterment".

When the appraisel is done on your car, have them do the appraisel on what it would be to have the damage repaired that pertains to your accident only. Then have them add on the cost of what it would be to have your other dings and nicks repaired.

The shop will do all the work, your insurance company will pay the shop the portion that they owe for the damage done that pertains to the accident, and you will pay the shop for the rest of the work that they have done.

If this method won't work, you may be able to work out a deal with the shop yourself to have them repair the rest the vehicle after they get the check from the insurance company, and you can pay them the extra for the rest of the work.

Your adjuster will know the best way to handle the claim. I would contact them and ask them about working something out like that.

hepworth_clark

21st June 2004, 12:23

Thanks for the replies. I kind of figured they wouldn't do it, but I figured I may as well ask.

As for the fraud thing, I have no intentions of lying or deceiving in any manner. Just not my character.

Rich Wilkman

21st June 2004, 14:16

It may not be in your character, but that is what you specifically asked about. You can have all your dings repaired at the same time. Where you get into trouble is when, as you put in your original post, you try to put them on the claim for the legitimate work.

A good body shop would politely tell you to go stuff yourself, then ask if you were a cop and then suggest that they could do the rest of the work on a separate work order and that you can talk about that after finishing the paperwork for the claim at hand.

-Rich