Auto Insurance Claims: Did I go to the wrong body shop or what?, early monday morning, hi john

Question
Last week I had my car in for repairs. Its over ten years old but still a great car and the last of that Model. I was called by the owner on Friday and was told my car was ready but before I picked it up I needed to know something. He said a guy driving across the lot hooked a boat on it and did some damage but he (the driver) said he would take care of it and left his card.  It was late so I waited until the next day to pick it up. Early Monday morning I took it to two body shops for an estimate. Later that morning I called the number on the guys card and was told he’d left word for me to take it to another body shop. I didn’t feel right about that but I did it anyway. So now I have three estimates and guess what--his is lower. I’ve decided to take the  cash and keep the car and drive it. Do I have to take the lower of the three estimates. What really bugs me is the guy has never bothered to call me and I found out when it happened he never even walked back to look at the car to see the damage. Two of the three estimates came within a couple hundred dollars of totaling the car--around 2000.oo and his body shop came in at 1600.oo. Did I do him a favor or do I still have a leg to stand on for more than the 1600. How do I settle this so I’m happy and don’t have to bend over just because he has the money.

Answer
Hi John,

What you need to do is to have someone knowledgeable to look over the 3rd estimate to see if it is missing something that is on the other 2 estimates. Perhaps you could show it to one of the 2 shops you got estimates from ans ask why there is a difference.  Then, if there is something missing, you should demand that he pay the lower of your 2 estimates.  If not, just accept the $1600.00 and be done. Especially since you said you are not going to repair the car anyway.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh