Honestly, I get that there can be hidden damage, but I’m still not convinced every high estimate is legit. When my friend’s car got rear-ended, the shop tried to tack on a bunch of stuff that didn’t even seem related. I’d say before accepting anything, ask for photos or a breakdown of each charge. Sometimes it’s just padding the bill, not hidden damage. Just my two cents...
- I totally get being skeptical of inflated estimates, but sometimes those high numbers are actually legit.
- Rear-end damage can look minor, but I’ve seen cases where the frame or sensors underneath got messed up—stuff you’d never spot until they pull the bumper off.
- Shops do have a rep for adding extras, but insurance companies also lowball like it’s their job. I’ve had to fight for a fair payout after a fender bender, and the adjuster missed half the issues.
- Asking for photos and a breakdown is smart, but I’d also get a second opinion from another shop. Sometimes you’ll find the “padding” is actually stuff that’ll bite you later if you skip it.
- Not saying every shop is honest, but I’d rather double-check than end up with a car that drives weird on my next road trip.
- Just my experience... I guess there’s no perfect answer, but I wouldn’t trust the first estimate, high or low.
Had to laugh at this bit:
That’s basically the story of every claim I’ve ever had—one side pads, the other shaves, and you’re stuck in the middle trying to figure out what’s actually necessary.Shops do have a rep for adding extras, but insurance companies also lowball like it’s their job.
I always wonder—how do you even know if that “minor” rear-end hit tweaked something important underneath? I had a ‘72 Chevelle that looked fine after a tap, but once we got it on the lift, the rear frame rail was bent just enough to mess with alignment. Drove weird for months before I figured it out.
Do you trust the shop’s word, or do you get a third opinion? And how much of that “padding” is legit stuff you’ll regret skipping later? I’m all for getting photos and breakdowns, but half the time those estimates are in code only body shop folks understand...
Guess my question is: how do you balance being skeptical with not missing real problems? I’d rather be a little paranoid than end up with a car that pulls left every time I hit the highway.
Lowball Estimates Are a Game—Don’t Get Played
Man, I hear you on the paranoia. I’ve been burned before thinking “eh, it’s just cosmetic,” and then six months later I’m chasing weird tire wear or a rattle that wasn’t there before. My rule of thumb? If it involves anything structural—even if it’s “just” a fender bender—I want at least two opinions. Not because I don’t trust my shop, but because everyone’s got their angle.
Shops do pad sometimes, yeah, but honestly, insurance adjusters are way more aggressive with the red pen. They’re not looking out for you—they’re looking to close the claim cheap. If something feels off (car pulls, weird noises, etc.), trust your gut and push for more inspection or even supplemental claims. Photos help, but nothing beats seeing the car on a lift.
I’d rather fight a little up front than eat the cost of an alignment or frame fix down the road. If you’re not sure about what’s “padding” vs. legit, ask them to show you on the car—point to what they mean. Sometimes you’ll learn something... sometimes you’ll catch BS. Either way, better than rolling the dice and hoping for the best.
I get where you’re coming from, but is it always worth the hassle to fight every lowball estimate? I mean, if it’s just a scuffed bumper or a tiny dent, sometimes the time and stress of arguing with insurance or bouncing between shops just isn’t worth it—especially if your car’s older or already has a few dings. I’m on a tight budget, so I usually weigh how much it’ll actually affect the car’s value or safety before pushing back.
Also, I’ve had shops try to upsell stuff that didn’t really need fixing, so I’m never sure who to trust. Is there a way to tell when it’s actually important to push for more, versus when it’s just cosmetic and not a big deal? I’d rather save my energy (and money) for the stuff that really matters, but I don’t want to get burned either. Just feels like a gamble either way...
