Auto Insurance Claims: Partial payment, physical damages, body guys

Question
I have filed a claim against an at fault drivers insurance agency. When the adjuster checked on my vehicle he did an incomplete estimation of the damages, gave me a partial check to 'start the process', and told me that when I get the car to a repair shop, he would then be able to go and look for the other damage and do a supplemental claim. I have not told him I don't intend to repair all the damage(leaving some cosmetic dmg) for fear he will refuse to pay the full value of the loss.

What can I say or do so I get a complete estimation of damages and the full amount owed due to the loss of value, without taking it to a repair facility? Can I safely say I don't plan to fix the other damage at this point?

Answer
Hi Brian, sorry to hear about the accident; presumably it was only physical damages to the vehicles and the occupants were OK.

As the claimant, the at fault insurer doesn't care what you do with their payments for your damages.  You would be fully in your rights to announce, with a herald line of trumpets and dancers, that you will take their check and blow it on Cheetos and beer.  They don't care; they are obligated to pay for damages to your property that their insured is liable for.  I have had plenty of claimants tell me they have no intent to repair their vehicle, they just want the cash.  And I still pay, the exact amount, in the same timeframe, irregardless of their ultimate intent.

The reality of the situation, though, becomes apparent when there is more than superficial damage.  An adjuster won't pay for damage he or she cannot verify, and when dealing with auto damage, the best way to verify hidden damage is to conduct a supplemental inspection and estimate once the car is in the shop and the body guys can do the teardown required to inspect hidden damage.

The adjuster is being fair and honest; he is essentially saying "I know there's damage I can't see.  We owe you for it, so once I can see it I'll know exactly what we owe you and pay for it."

Therein lies your conundrum.  Unless you have a body shop in your driveway, or know someone who can perform the teardown for you without actually repairing anything, you may be stuck since the adjuster has nothing he can verify (i.e. you cannot prove your supplemental damage).

Good luck, and let us know what you decide and the outcome!