So my insurance did total out the vehicle. I’ve already bought another car. Now my total loss guy is trying to tell me I need to go into the body shop and basically have them write a new check for my insurance since they cashed out the checks that were sent for the initial repairs before the total loss was deemed. Is this how normal claims are handled? I figured once they take the car it should be on them to call and get what they need not request I physically go into the body shop? Idk how I’m supposed to have any leeway getting a shop to write me a check?
Posted by _ariuulll_
2 Comments
I don’t know who your insurance is through but we would have our damage appraiser go get it back.
Your leverage is that the shop is probably not interested in you turning them in to the Division of Dealers and Repairers (or whatever licensing entity is the equivalent in your jurisdiction) at the Department of Motor Vehicles because they charged you for a repair they did not perform.
They can charge you for the towing they paid-out, storage charges, disassembly fees, and parts restocking fees, but all of that stuff should be owed to you by your insurer in the end, as long as everything was handled expeditiously, or was handled by a shop on their program.
The shop should not have been able to cash the check unless you signed something authorizing them to sign on your behalf. ( like there was a power of attorney or similar buried in the repair agreement). It should be two-party check that they couldn’t cash without your signature, which you generally do not provide until you are satisfied at the end of the repair.