1. How can you appraise damages without seeing the car?
We are not appraising damages. We are judging the fairness and accuracy
of the estimate submitted, so that's all we need to see.
2. How do you know what it takes to fix the damage?
We apply the procedure times contained in Mitchell's UltraMate estimating
software. Items such as straightening times are not changed. On
occasions in which damages do not match the description of the loss, we
will suggest a visual inspection.
3. Do you guarantee that you'll at least save your fee?
No, that would present our auditors with a fundamental conflict of interest.
Other companies have what initially sounds like a great marketing angle:
"If we do not at least save the amount of our fee, there's no charge!"
However, this betrays a lack of understanding of the whole process.
Our auditors are not shooting for net savings, they are auditing estimates for
fairness and accuracy. When ACE
pronounces an estimate fair and in line you can
pay it with peace of mind, which is a service rendered in and of itself.
4. Do you get agreed prices with the shops?
Yes, and we fax the shop a copy of our audit.
5. What about supplements?
They are free, and our toll-free number on the audit allows the shops
to contact us to submit them, or to ask any questions about the audit.
|
1. Didn't the applicant pay in good faith?
If he overpaid in good faith our customer is under no obligation
to compound that mistake by repeating it. The respondent is also
responsible to act in good faith on the part of his policy holders
and/or stock owners to make due diligence not to overpay for anything.
The applicant should approach the vendor that overcharged and demand
reimbursement. For instance, one applicant paid $950 for a $9.50
headlamp relay, another paid $280 an hour for labor instead of $28,
easily recoverable overpayments.
2. If the applicant saw the car and the respondent did not,
how can the respondent question what was paid?
If the applicant paid the wrong prices for parts, passed on
math errors, allowed unspecified "lump sum" payments, failed
to account for overlap, etc., then seeing the vehicle has proven not to be the chief
criterion for writing an accurate estimate or appraisal.
3. How does this stand up in arbitration?
We settle over 90% of the files we are
asked to settle with applicants, and the few that go to arbitration are
increasingly seen to be the result of justifiable exceptions being taken
by the respondents.
|
1. How can you write an estimate without inspecting the
loss?
We are not writing an estimate, we are auditing contractors'
estimates for correct scope of repairs, materials, and pricing.
Relying on our extensive experience and knowledge of the
industry, we discuss the repairs and reach an agreed cost of
repairs with the contractors.
2. How can betterment be determined?
Through our discussions with the contractors and with
photographs when necessary, the general condition of the
property is determined. Betterment is taken according to
policy and customer guidelines.
3. How do you establish accurate unit cost pricing state by
state when the cost factors vary so drastically?
We use DDS IntegriClaim for unit cost pricing, which is accepted
throughout the industry.
4. How do you respond to coverage issues such as rot,
deterioration, and matching?
These issues are addressed during our conversation with the
contractors subject to final review and approval by the
adjuster.
|
[BACK HOME]
|