PCTG Consumer Complaint Report Record ID#: 1216732980
Date of Report Submission: 07/22/08
Consumer Information
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Daytime Phone:
Evening Phone:
Repair Facility Information
Repair Facility: Crawford's Auto Center, Inc.
State Appraiser License: 276003
Shop Representative: STEPHEN BEHRNDT
Address: 302 W UWCHLAN AVE
City: DOWNINGTOWN
State: PA
Zip: 19335
Phone: 610-269-1610
Insurance Information
Insurance Company: STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY
Claim Number: 38-L486-39702
Insurance Company Representative: GEORGE MOORE / CHIP CONOVER
Date of Loss: 6-19-2008
Appraiser License Number: 144037 & 138654 & UNKNOWN
Insurance Company Phone: 1800-839-8050
Legislator Information
Consumer Legislative Representative: McIlvaine Smith , Barbara (D) - District 156
Consumer Senator: Dinniman, Andrew E. (D) - District 19
Repair Facility Legislative Representative: Schroder, Curt (R) - District 155
Repair Facility Senator: Dinniman, Andrew E. (D) - District 19
Complaint Comments:
STEERING & LOW-BALL ESTIMATING COMPLAINT AGAINST STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY. July 11, 2008 Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania Insurance Department Bureau of Consumer Services 1209 Strawberry Square Harrisburg, Pa. 17120 Re: Consumer Complaint against State Farm Insurance Company Claim #38-l486-39702 Dear James John, As per our conversation today please find copies of estimates from State Farm recommended repair facilities in Chester County. Due to our not agreeing with the State Farm appraiser, State Farm recommended Grand Sport Auto - 3D BODYWORKS " KEENAN AUTO BODY for the repairs. State Farm advised our customer that said repair shops would repair for the State Farm prepared estimate. For the purpose of investigating this claim we asked the State Farm recommended repair facilities to write estimates on the very same vehicle. I have also included the State Farm estimate and an estimate prepared by our facility. We requested these shops write an independent appraisal based on what can be seen during the inspection. Our estimate @ $1,257.89 is within the appraised values of the other facilities. State Farm originally wrote an estimate for $934.59. We contacted them for a supplemental and they sent a Mr. Chip Conover to re-inspect the damages. We requested 6.0 labor hours versus their 3.5 hrs. to repair the damage, they offered 4.5 hrs. When we advised we needed additional labor they denied any additional labor. Once they left our facility they contacted our consumer and advised they have shops in the area that will repair for the State Farm estimate. The attached estimates are from shops they have recommended to our customer. The average labor hours to repair the disputed door panel are @ 5.3 hrs. The average estimated amount is @ $1,214.28. State Farm is utilizing their low-ball estimate to steer our customer away from our business into one of their partner shops. State Farm is in violation of the MVPDA (appraisal act)' Please investigate our consumer complaint and file the necessary actions against the insurance company and their staff appraisers. Sincerely, Stephen E. Behrndt, President