Auto Insurance Claims: collision damage claim, insurance comapnies, comparable car

Question
Hi, I was in a auto accident where the other driver was declared at fault.  The adjuster came to look at my car and the insurance co. sent the estimate and a check for 2,500 (I have not cashed the check).  However, the adjuster missed some visible damages that I would like included in the estimate.  The insurance company refuses to send him back out, or look at any of the 3 estimates I obtained. The lowest estimate I got-which was 3,700-would total the car. Two of the body shops also said that the car was unsafe to drive. I called the insurance company and asked for a rental, this was on a Friday.  The agent handling my claim had left for the day, but another agent ok'd a standard size rental for the weekend(my car was scheduled to go in for repairs the following Mon). I was unable to afford the $110 for the deposit and insurance, so I just had to drive my car.  Monday, I called back and asked if they would pay the insurance for the rental.  Ofcouse they said no.  I came up with the money the very next day and when I called back, he said he could only get me a economy rental, and only on a Monday b/c it was a 5 day repair. Next Monday will be a month since the accident.
Can they refuse to look at other estimates, and can he refuse to rent a car for me even though mine is unsafe to drive?

Answer
Hi Anna,

Unfortunately, insurance comapnies can do almost anything they want. They will usually not consider any supplemental damage until the vehicle is actually in a body shop for the repairs. This is because if they feel your car is drivable, you may just take the money and not get the car repaired. They do this simply in order to save money. So you should have your body shop deal with the insurance adjuster directly to explain the damages and what it will cost to repair the car.

As for the rental car, the insurance company will often try to give you the smallest, cheapest car they can get away with. They are required to provide you with a comparable car to the one you own in terms of size. They are not required to pay for insurance on the rental car. If you have collision & comprehensive on your own car, your own insurance should extend to any car that you rent.  You should call your insurance company to verify this. If they do then there is no need to purchase the rental company's insurance .

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh