PCTG Consumer Complaint Report Record ID#: 1681323106

Our customers vehicle was in our shop after a Liberty Mutual Insured struck her vehicle. She decided to pursue the claim through Liberty Mutual instead of her own coverage. We sent photos and an estimate to Liberty Mutual as requested. We received a severely underpaid estimate back within a few days without anyone going over the estimate with a shop representative. On 4/4/23 the vehicle was torn down and a supplement was requested for the damage missed by Liberty Mutual and additional damage uncovered. Jude Akinleyimu responded to our supplement request and sent us a locked copy of the estimate refusing to make any other changes. He subsequently called Ms. Pope and utilized fear tactics to steer her to a network shop. Ms. Pope called Jude Akinleyimu with a shop representative on three way. He claimed that the amount of his supplement is final and will not change. He refused to go over our differences. He refused to discuss our differences. He claimed that he can not make any changes to the estimate because it is against Liberty' Mutual's internal policy.I read him the PA Motor Vehicle Appraiser's Act. He claimed that the law did not apply to him as he is an employee of Liberty Mutual and not an independent appraiser. (f) In addition to the requirements in section 11 of the act (63 P. S. § 861), an appraiser shall: (1) Not have a conflict of interest in the making of an appraisal. This chapter and the act, and this section in particular, shall be strictly interpreted to protect the interest of the consumer and place the burden upon the appraiser to eliminate any conflict of interest in the making of an appraisal. (2) Obtain the consumer’s consent before authorizing the removal of a motor vehicle from one location to another. (i) The consent of the consumer is not necessary for initial removal of the motor vehicle from the scene of an accident. (ii) An appraiser authorizing removal of a motor vehicle by a vehicle salvage dealer shall inform the vehicle salvage dealer in writing that possession is merely for safe-keeping purposes and that the vehicle salvage dealer does not have any ownership rights to the motor vehicle, its parts or accessories, until a certificate of title or certificate of salvage is received indicating that ownership has been transferred. (3) Review the appraisal with an authorized representative of the repair shop which is selected by the consumer or with any other person reasonably necessary to demonstrate that the actual costs of repairs are adequately covered in the appraisal. (4) Not mention the name of any repair shop, unless the appraiser includes disclosure that there is no requirement to use any specified repair shop