Auto Insurance Claims: Supplemental Claims, auto insurance claims, black

Question
Hello Webfoot,
The day I purchased my 'NEW 2007' vehicle, I was rear-ended while waiting to enter the street from my apt complex.  The adjuster later came out assess the damages, I wanted the bumper replaced, nevertheless, the adjuster stated the damages was bad enough to replace the complete bumper. Okay,,,the car was repaired. Four months after the repair, I deployed overseas, upon my recent return, from the side of the vehicle, I just noticed that the bumper paint doesn't match the rest of the vehicle. I then took it back to the dealership body shop and they also notice it.  The body-shop representative researched my claim and notice where the adjuster did not include painting of the side panel with blend time(??). According to the body-shop, that's why it doesn't match the bumper and the side panel are made out of different material therefore that's why blend time is needed.(the body shop rep also stated he called the insurance to request a supplement for that reason and he was told since my car was black, it did not need paint blending of the side panels)(the insurance later stated that they did not have such request for a supplemental on file) Okay, my initial claim was done over a year ago, I called the insurance company following the body-shop with my request, they initially scheduled for an adjuster to come out and look at my car, I later (this week)got a call from someone via the adjuster stating that since my car was done over a year ago at a body-shop of my choosing, they will not come out and look at my car. What do I do? The individual that called me, the home office of the insurance company didn't know her, nevertheless, when they looked into their system, they notice that my request for an adjuster to come out was cancelled without explanation...I was told they would get back with me that day. Needless to say two days later and no one has contacted me or returned my calls.  Does Florida have a statue of limitation on supplemental claims? I need you guidance.  Thank you for your time. P'jai

Answer
All states do have a statute of limitation on first party claims but I can only speak for Georgia which is 7 years on property.
The insurer should be sending someone out to look at the car.  Sounds like it is letter writing time.

I do not believe that the body shop ever submitted a supplement.  If they were waiting on a supplement at the time of the original repair, it makes no sense that they would have put the car together and delivered it without either receiving an approval or a denial at the time.  Believe me, if the insurer had denied the request, there will be a record of this.  

As far as blending bumper covers to body panels, it is rarely done.  When cars are manufactured, the bumper covers are generally painted in a different location than the rest of the vehicle.  Rarely do they match perfectly.  You can walk around most car dealerships and see color variations all day long, especially with lighter colors and anything with a red pigment including shades of brown.  With today's technology in computer aided paint matching, color variations are much more subtle if the process is correctly performed.  In the set up process, the shop is always paid to complete one test spray.  In reality, many skip this step.  If they do a test spray and there is a matching issue, then it is the shop's responsibility to stop, submit a supplement for either blending or additional tinting and remedy the situation before proceeding.

In your case, the color is black.  Unless there is a metallic or pearl added to it, then there is nothing to match.  Black is black.  It is the absolute zero reflection of light.  What you actually may be seeing is a difference in gloss or texture.  This is the responsibility of the painter to maintain and is not something that the blending process is used for.  

Though I agree that the insurance company should at least look at the vehicle for customer service, it is more likely a quality issue with the body shop and as you did not elect to use one of the insurance company's recommended shops, the insurer has no obligation to warranty the work product.

Good luck!