Auto Insurance Claims: Insurance estimates prior to going to adjuster?, insurance estimate, insurance adjuster

Question
I was hit in the side by a pick up exiting from a parking place in a parking lot. The other driver has admitted fault and his insurance company has accepted responsibility for the damages. I have an appointment to meet their adjuster on Saturday to estimate my car where they will cut me a check for the damages same day. My question is should I have the car estimated by other shops before going to them to see if they are giving me a fair amount for damages, or as one body shop said, it won't matter what estimates that I get, just what the insurance adjuster says damages are. I live in North Carolina.

Answer
Hi Jeff,

You have the right to select the body shop that you want to do the work. You do not have to obtain multiple estimates. Select the body shop you want and have them do an estimate. The insurance company may try to steer you to one of their "approved shops". Do not use one of there shops unless you independently investigate and chose the shop on your own. If you have time to obtain an estimate from your choosen shop befor you meet with the insurance estimator, make a copy of your shops estimate to give to the estimator. If you do not have time to do this thats ok. When you get the insurance estimate, take your car to your chosen body shop and give them a copy of the insurance estimate. The shop will then contact the insurance estimator to discuss any items that may be missing. The shop will obtain approval for any required supplements and the insurance company will be paid directly for those supplements.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh