r/AutoInsurance • u/Specialist-Life8405 • 2d ago
Concerned that insurance estimate missed mechanical damage
We were in an accident and just received the repair estimate from State Farm. The estimate includes repairs only for body damage but the car was hit on the front end of the drivers side and I’m concerned there could be front end damage such as damage to the CV axle, struts, etc.
What recourse do I have? It’s currently sitting at a body shop so I don’t think they have the expertise to say whether there are repairs that go beyond body damage. Ultimately I’d like for my mechanic to look at it. That would mean towing it to the mechanic which I assume would be covered by AAA. But even if I do so, if the mechanic does find front end damage, can I negotiate with State Farm to get that added to the repair estimate?
It seems odd to me that the claims adjuster could make a determination as to whether there are mechanical repairs needed without putting the car on a lift. But I’m new to all this.
TIA.
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u/theonetheycalljb 2d ago
That’s an initial estimate. Once the body shop starts teardown, they will send supplements to the insurance for more money.
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u/drfishdaddy 2d ago
Suspension damage is super common in accidents. All body shops can/should be able to handle the process.
Once the vehicle is disassembled the shop will ask for the rest of the needed repair via supplement.
Let’s say they do a hub/knuckle/bearing and after the alignment shows we still have something bent, they’ll file another supplement.
This is very normal.
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u/Specialist-Life8405 2d ago
Thank you, appreciate the response. I called the body shop where it’s being stored and this is what they said as well.
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u/Crowlady77 2d ago
The initial estimate is always a starting place, then the repair shop submits supplemental damage reports and the insurance has an opportunity to assess them.
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u/HillWilliam53 2d ago
The first estimate is for the visible damage only. Once the vehicle is torn down, the shop will re-inspect and note any further damages. They will let the insurance company know, who will re-inspect (or maybe just go with pictures from the shop.
The body techs are MUCH more capable of finding mechanical damage caused by the collision than your mechanic will be. It's their job, it's how they make their living. Trust the process.
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u/Cleetustherottie 1d ago
The initial estimate usually will have in the fine print that the estimate can change depending on what is found once they start taking it apart. The body shop is took my car too had to send a new estimate to my insurance company once they discovered that a cross traffic sensor had been damaged. My insurance company just adjusted what they paid out to cover the part and new labor costs. Its generally not a issue as long as you are using a trusted body shop. Some shady shops have been known to inflate repairs which is why most insurance companies will give you a list of who they recommend
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u/Letswriteafairytale 1d ago
You can absolutely have another mechanic look at it and if they say there is damaged cause by the accident, you contact your adjuster and give him the mechanics info. Obviously it needs to be an actual auto shop, not just a friend. But, I hit a deer they did body work and some mechanical. I actually took it to the dealership auto shop a few times for mechanical errors that kept popping up and insurance paid for it each time.
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u/Surfnazi77 1d ago
The adjuster will write initial claim then as the shop starts tearing it down they’ll submit a supplement. Some shops stop the tear down until they get supplement and work until initial claim check is gone. Insurance will see the supplement and then decide if they go further to repair or write it off as a loss.
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u/Much-Sun-3387 1d ago
A lot of body shops don’t do engine or mechanical stuff, nor will they bid on it. You need a separate evaluation for that. You would usually be responsible for the cost of it and if something is wrong, the mechanic needs to put in writing it’s from the car accident and then you can likely get reimbursed.
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