Auto Insurance Claims: Insurance valuation dispute, state insurance department, auto insurance company

Question
A car hit our house.  The driver's insurance company sent an independent appraiser as they are only an auto insurance company.  Appraiser's estimate was $2215.  I obtained estimates from three licensed contractors.  The estimates average $9750.  Insurance company says $2215 is it -- final offer.  What do I do next?  I live in California.

Thanks,

Gary

Answer
I would call the insurer and say that you'll be happy to use their estimate if they can produce a licensed contractor who will do the work for the amount of the estimate.  If not, ask them what they expect you to do.

If they won't budge, you have a couple options:

(1)  call the state insurance department and file a complaint.

(2)  call your homeowner's insurer and let them handle the  damages.  You will have to pay your deductible up front.  But then they will subrogate against the car insurer for the amount they pay out plus your deductible, and return your deductible to you.  This will take several months to get your deductible back.

(3)  Repair the damages yourself using your contractor, and then sue the driver of the car.  The car insurer will then defend the driver and probably just pay you at that point to avoid court.  But you might have to go to court.  Considering the amount, you probably could handle the suit yourself without a lawyer in small claims court.