I was in a small accident that wasn’t my fault. My 2015 Cadillac SRX, which has 37,000 miles on it, got damaged on the side panel and rear bumper. I got an estimate from my dealer, who I always go to for car maintenance, and they said it would cost $2,400 to fix it. Allstate, the insurance company of the at-fault driver, only wants to pay me $1,750.
My car will be in the shop for five days (Monday to Friday), and the rental will cost $550. Also, I was planning to trade in the car in November for a newer model. But my dealer said that because it was in an accident reported to CarFax, it will lose another $3,000 in value compared to what he quoted me a few weeks ago.
I emailed the claims department to argue that the claim should be closer to my actual loss of $5,950. Am I wrong? Do I have to sue the driver instead of dealing with Allstate? Any help would be really appreciated.
hi mason contact Allstate directly to ask about their claims process and how they determine payouts. Also, get quotes from several insurance companies and compare their policy details on claim coverage and payouts.
I understand how frustrating you are. In a comparable circumstance, I discovered that it was beneficial to give Allstate proof of the real cost of repairs, the amount paid for rent, and the projected decline in trade-in value. Be tenacious and honest about your defeats. You can think about speaking with a legal professional to learn more about your alternatives if Allstate is still unwilling to provide a just settlement.
It’s reasonable for you to demand full payment. Record every expense and loss, including depreciation, rental, and repair. Give Allstate clear instructions and supporting documentation. If they don’t cooperate, you might choose to take legal action or file a small claims lawsuit to get the entire amount you’re entitled.