PCTG Consumer Complaint Report Record ID#: 1226886078

PA Dept of Insurance: This claim involves a 2004 Mitsubishi Galant ES. Damages involved impact requiring replacement of the left front wheel and some suspension parts, replacement of left front fender, left front door shell and hinges, repair to left rear door, repair to left quarter panel and replacement of rear bumper. The appraiser showed up, took pictures, spoke briefly with the shop representative and went to his vehicle. The next thing we saw were his tailights going doe=wn the road. He later faxed the estimate to the shop. When the shop discovered more damages on March 13th and contacted the appraiser, he said he would not reinspect and that the shop should fax the info to him. After the shop did so, the appraiser claimed that the shop "sandbagged" him by listing so much additional damages. The appraiser showed up unannounced on Friday, March 17th. When the shop showed the appraiser the procedures specified by Mitsubishi to follow after a collision regarding the SRS system which specifies replacing the seat belt, the appraiser stated that he would not be paying for those procedures. The appraiser pulled on the seat belt stating that there was nothing wrong with it and he didn't care what the manufacturer stated. The recommended procedures also state that the SRS system should be checked by a scan tool. The appraiser also refused to pay for those procedures. In addition he also refused to acknowledge some other charges including not following his own estimating guide recommended procedures. The appraiser left from this meeting without leaving without a copy of the supplemented paperwork. Since when does a staff appraiser get to over ride the OEM recommended procedures??? Please advise as this customer is anxious to get their vehicle returned to them and to have all the recommended safety procedures paid for.