Hey everyone, I'm kinda stuck dealing with my car insurance claim right now and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed. Had a minor fender-bender last week—nothing serious thankfully, but enough damage to make things a headache. I've never had to file a claim before, and I'm realizing I have no clue what I'm doing, haha.
I called my insurance company and they've been sorta helpful, but I feel like they're rushing me through stuff without really explaining clearly. Like, do I have to use their recommended repair shop or can I pick my own? And how long does this usually take around here anyway? My coworker said hers took forever, but idk if that's normal or just bad luck.
If anyone's dealt with this recently in Maryland and has some tips or warnings about common pitfalls, I'd really appreciate it. Just want to get my car fixed without messing something up or getting ripped off, you know?
Went through something similar last year in MD, and yeah, insurance companies can be kinda pushy about their "preferred" shops. Did you ask them directly if you're allowed to pick your own mechanic? I ended up choosing my local guy because he was cheaper and I trusted him more. Took about two weeks total—felt long, but maybe that's average? Did they mention anything about rental coverage while your car's in the shop...?
Yeah, insurance companies do tend to nudge you toward their preferred shops—mostly because they've got negotiated rates and it saves them money. But you're definitely allowed to pick your own mechanic; just double-check if there's any paperwork or extra hoops to jump through. Rental coverage can be hit or miss, depends on your policy. Did they give you a daily limit or total cap? Last time I had a claim, the rental allowance barely covered a compact... felt like driving a go-kart for two weeks, lol.
