A DRIVER has slammed Geico for sending her a $2,000 check to cover costs after a devastating auto accident.
Her busted SUV was brought to a mechanic who couldn’t agree on how much the damages would cost to repair.
A driver was sent $2,000 from Geico after an auto accident[/caption]
The insurance company and auto shop couldn’t agree on a price for the vehicle[/caption]
The driver was afraid she’d have to pay thousands in storage fees[/caption]
The driver, Catherine Graves, was concerned that she would be shelling out thousands of dollars in fees after the auto accident, as reported by CBS News affiliate KENS-TV.
After an unfortunate car crash on Highway 281 and Loop 1602, Graves thought she was parting ways with her totaled SUV until it could be repaired.
Immediately after the incident, a tow truck took her cherished vehicle to a car shop on San Pedro Avenue in San Antonio, Texas.
Although the driver never specified where to bring her SUV, she signed off on the towing company taking the vehicle to a mechanic.
Graves then spoke with her insurance provider, Geico, to address how much they would be able to cover after the collision.
Geico decided that the SUV was a total loss — meaning they would pay the owner a sum of money depending on the value of the vehicle.
Then, Geico would pay the mechanic for any inspection or storage costs to reclaim the car.
Disregarding this process, Geico sent her a random amount of $2,000 without explaining what that money should be used for.
This was four weeks after Graves’ initial insurance claim.
“I didn’t know what that was for,” she said.
“I texted the adjuster and asked what the $2,000 was for. He said ‘that’s for the collision shop and it needs to come from you.’”
It was later revealed that the insurance company and the body shop couldn’t agree on how much the mechanic should be paid for the repairs.
Typically, the insurance company, through an adjuster, will create its own estimate of the repair costs based on its assessment of the damage.
Then, the mechanic or body shop, who assesses the damage and determines the necessary repairs, provides their own estimate, which may be higher than the insurance company’s estimate due to differences in labor costs.
Car insurance tips
Here are some ways to lower monthly car insurance rates:
- Increase the deductible – this may increase the amount drivers must pay in an accident
- Ask insurance carriers for discounts
- Slow down on the road
- Keep off the cell phone behind the wheel
- Improve credit scores (in some states)
- Bundle insurance policies
Source: Liberty Mutual
If additional damage is found during the repair process, the mechanic can typically submit a “supplement” to the insurance company, requesting additional funds to cover the unforeseen expenses.
Instead of following through with proper negotiation, Geico’s insurance adjuster sent Graves a check that was meant to go to the auto shop.
After Graves contacted KENS-TV about the situation, she heard back from the body shop and Geico’s corporate office within 24 hours.
“Oh my goodness it’s wonderful. I just see daylight for the first time in about two and a half months,” Graves said.
“We are pleased to have resolved this matter for Ms. Graves. GEICO attempted to negotiate with Northside Collision over the payment of a reasonable fee for storing her vehicle,” a Geico spokesperson told KENS-TV.
“However, the body shop refused to work with our team, which resulted in the delay.”
Geico did not immediately reply to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
