One of the most unique interactions I have ever had. Other than the fact that I was able to get an estimate quickly and back to work, I am pretty sure some of the adjuster etiquette was not quite right.
I basically walked out to my car with him and he just looked at me the entire time. I show him the car and he was like "This is it?" I told him that it was involved in rear ended collision and usually, most adjusters will keep it open and objective. They will not look to the owner of the car to come to a conclusion.
He then told me, "I am just being respectful, but I do not think we can find another bumper. I do not see anything."
I ended up getting the estimate and it was sent to the insurance company that had this autobody as one of their "preferred" body shops.
Weeks went by and nothing was ever made of the claim. I decided to close it because I was worried, after my own research, that any additional estimates might total my vehicle. My vehicle is very old by year.
Going back to the experience, it was just odd. Please retrain the red head to be objective about first estimates. Do not look at the client for answers, when walking out to the car. Be objective, be open, not "Oh, I do not see much and I looked under the back end of the car, but I see nothing." No, I barely some this individual get under the car to look.
The process is to give a good initial estimate and then regardless of whether or not there needs to be a supplement completed, that is between them and the insurance company. The experience was just demoralizing.
I ended up getting a second consultation by Cockrell's and Nate was amazing. I remember him being more objective the last time I went to him and he told me that I need to be careful if I get supplement estimates completed as it could total the vehicle and if the vehicle is drivable, to just use it as is. There comes a time when a vehicle gets to the point where repairing it aesthetically becomes second priority over the value of actually being able to use the vehicle. read more
