Auto Insurance Claims: Auto Accident, car still not repaired, blown head gasket, auto repair shop

Question
I was involved in an auto accident in an accident, Aug. 08.  The accident was my fault and I do have full coverage.  My car did not seem to have any real body damage but it did receive a blown head gasket.  I had the car towed to a repair shop in August and the claims adjustor went out in a timely manner.  However, he noted the small body damage and did not speak with anyone at the repair shop.  I did receive a check for the body damage and a call telling me that I needed to have the car moved to an auto body repair shop.  I explained that the body damage was not my concern but the engine block was!  He told me to have the company send a supplement request.  To date, no supplement has been sent and in addition, the owner of the shop has placed a lien on my vehicle for storage fees.  I have called him several times but have not gotten a response.  I have been to the shop several times and even left the information on what he would need to do.  He spoke to my husband on the phone and said that he would include the storage fees in the supplement request.  Well, I think that this is unfair as he was the one that needed to contact the insurance company.  I do agree that that the adjustor should have spoken with someone from the repair shop but the majority of the blame is on the auto repair shop.  Another two weeks has passed and I still have not gotten a return phone call.  I know the supplement has still not been done and now I have a lien on my paid off vehicle.  Can you please tell me what, if anything, I can do about this?  I have contacted my agent and their response is that the shop needs to contact them.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Valerie,

The problem here is that mechanical repair shops are not used to dealing with insurance companies. You need to take control of this situation. You need to go to the shop and demand that they call your insurance company while you are standing there. If you can't get through to your adjuster then demnand to speak to his/her manager but make sure someone gets on the phone with the shop. You should also demand that the shop provide a written estimate for the cost of repairing the engine and have themn give you a copy of it right then and there. Do not leave the shop without these things happening. If you are unable to reach someone at your insurance company then you will have a copy of the supplement that you can send or take to their office. Do not depend on anyone to do anything for you and do not wait 2 weeks between phone calls. You need to call the shop and the insurance adjuster 10 times per day if needed to get everything done that needs to be done. Also, if the supplement is approved and the shop is going to perform the engine work, they should waive all of the storage charges. You need to get tough. you need to get in everyones face that has anything to do with this. You need to demand to speak to managers and explain that their people are not doing their jobs. If you yell loud enough you should be able to get this rapped up in a couple of days. If needed you can also file a complaint with your state insurance commissioners office.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh