insurance paid but can I bring my car to cheaper place?

student2008

Hi,

I was involved in the accident where liability rests with the other side. My claim was settled and I got a cheque based on the invoice I got from the dealer. My question is - may I bring my car for repairing to another place where I can fix it for much less amount? I don't think it's any kind of insurance fraud, as the invoice I gave to the insurance company was based on dealers estimates. And it is my choice where to fix my car afterwards (including the quality and blah blah).

So, I guess my question is - will it be OK to fix my car in a different place or I should follow the invoice I gave to the insurance? Anyone had such experience?

Thanks.

whiterebel

student2008 wrote: »

Hi,

I was involved in the accident where liability rests with the other side. My claim was settled and I got a cheque based on the invoice I got from the dealer. My question is - may I bring my car for repairing to another place where I can fix it for much less amount? I don't think it's any kind of insurance fraud, as the invoice I gave to the insurance company was based on dealers estimates. And it is my choice where to fix my car afterwards (including the quality and blah blah).

So, I guess my question is - will it be OK to fix my car in a different place or I should follow the invoice I gave to the insurance? Anyone had such experience?

Thanks.

I doubt the insurance company were flinging money at you anyway, so you can bring it wherever you want after they have paid you.

dade

not too sure but was it settled out of court? if so i'd be thinking if it's paid it's paid

student2008

Thanks for replies.

No, it was settled by insurance company itself. few phone calls and couple of weeks waiting time

The original invoice was brought down by 10%, after insurance spoke to the dealer But dealer agreed to fix it for less money

I.S.T.

student2008 wrote: »

Hi,

I was involved in the accident where liability rests with the other side. My claim was settled and I got a cheque based on the invoice I got from the dealer. My question is - may I bring my car for repairing to another place where I can fix it for much less amount? I don't think it's any kind of insurance fraud, as the invoice I gave to the insurance company was based on dealers estimates. And it is my choice where to fix my car afterwards (including the quality and blah blah).

So, I guess my question is - will it be OK to fix my car in a different place or I should follow the invoice I gave to the insurance? Anyone had such experience?

Thanks.

The insurance have compensated you for their estimate of the value of the damage done to the car. It's up to you what you do with the cheque.

mickdw

IrishSpeedTraps wrote: »

The insurance have compensated you for their estimate of the value of the damage done to the car. It's up to you what you do with the cheque.

Yes, even if you decided not to fix it but sell it as is, it is no concern of the insurance company.
Also, you would be foolish to actually pay the amount of the invoice to a garage to repair your car. Typically, the invoice that went to insurance company will have new parts listed for everything that was damaged, examples:
wheel slightly scuffed in crash.... new one will be listed on invoice
Tiny mark on a light that will polish away.... new one listed on invoice.

There will be loads of things like this where you can save big time and in many cases garages will not replace as they can be brought back perfectly but if you just offer them the cheque, they MIGHT not tell you that they saved some items

rocknchef

is the cheque in your name or the dealers name? if its in your name you can do what you want with it if its in the dealers name you will probaly have to go there.

student2008

rocknchef wrote: »

is the cheque in your name or the dealers name? if its in your name you can do what you want with it if its in the dealers name you will probaly have to go there.

the cheque is in my name and has been lodged already So, I guess I need to start looking for a cheaper place

Thanks everyone for response

unkel

I thought it was more common that the insurer pay the dealer directly?

Anyway, as others said, if you were paid, you can take the car anywhere to be fixed. In fact, you don't even have to get it fixed at all!