Comprehensive insurance and self-repair??

[fishEH]

A turkey ran in front of me when I was doing 70 in Nebraska. ~$1200 in damage to plastic bumper cover, headlight, and foglight based on two quotes.
I feel like I can do l these repairs myself using parts I prefer; with the exception of painting the plastic bumper.
How do I/can I get the insurance to just cut me a check??

 

[terryjm1]

I have done it more than once. I just had to ask.

 

[fishEH]

I have done it more than once. I just had to ask.

Awesome. Were you required to show receipts when done??

 

[pinkytoe69]

Awesome. Were you required to show receipts when done??

I've never had that happen.

Usually an assessor will come check it out and give you an estimate.

You can take that in cash or go get your own estimate.

 

[discostew]

I've even done it on a car I still had a loan on. I had to go show it to the bank when I was done so they could sign off on it. I say take the money and fix it as you see fit.

 

[terryjm1]

I didn’t have to prove to them the repairs were done. I think they are happy to pay as in most cases when it gets to the shop, more damage is found and they end up paying more. I did take photos once the repairs were done and saved the receipts. One time, my wife backed her Subaru into a sign, I took the check and did the repairs myself, A few years later she did it again. This time I was busy and let the shop do it. Not a single question was asked about the previous damage/repair. Progressive actually seemEd to be pushing me to just take the check for a hail damage claim. The estimator said “You can pocket the cash or get it fixed, it’s up to you.“ I didn’t ask, he suggested.

 

[Flyfish]

A turkey ran in front of me

 

[Flyfish]

You’re not the first!

 

[Blueboy]

You’re not the first!

That was close to damaging the roof which would have been a major issue! Must have been a startling experience.
We have many families of wild turkeys around us. Usually they just run across the road yet you have to be aware. Between them and the deer one never knows.

 

[modernbeat]

In my experience, assuming you own the car outright, you can accept the insurance appraisal amount, have them cut a check and fix it yourself - or - you if you think the appraisal is low, you have to take it to a shop that is willing to deal with insurance companies and dicker for unseen damage as they start the repair.

 

[Flyfish]

Must have been a startling experience.

Yea, sounded like a bomb when it hit. I went off the road right between two trees.

I should have eaten that thing.

 

[ukoffroad]

Allstate has always offered to deal with it at one of their approved shops or cut me a check after an estimate.