PCTG Consumer Complaint Report Record ID#: 1777330907
Date of Report Submission: 07/23/08
Consumer Information
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Daytime Phone:
Evening Phone:
Repair Facility Information
Repair Facility: Dotterer Auto Body
State Appraiser License: unknown
Shop Representative: Rick Dotterer
Address: 386 Laurelwood Road
City: Pottstown
State: PA
Zip: 19465
Phone: 610-326-3959
Insurance Information
Insurance Company: State Farm Insurance Company
Claim Number: 38-L451-81302
Insurance Company Representative: Terry Maloney/Wm. Haggerty
Date of Loss: 4/21/08
Appraiser License Number: 150167
Insurance Company Phone: 800-839-8050
Legislator Information
Consumer Legislative Representative: Hennessey, Tim (R) - District 26
Consumer Senator: Rafferty, Jr., John C. (R) - District 44
Repair Facility Legislative Representative: Hennessey, Tim (R) - District 26
Repair Facility Senator: Rafferty, Jr., John C. (R) - District 44
Complaint Comments:
Dept. of Insurance, In the ongoing saga of insurance companies refusing to adequately reimburse their customers and claimants we have this violation of the appraiser's act and other statutes. Damages to this vehicle under this 3rd party claim only required the replacement of a rear bumper cover. The original appraisal was written by William Haggerty. We ordered the OEM cover as listed on their appraisal. The cover arrived in a raw condition ( no primer. ) I faxed in the State Farm supplemental form requesting additional funds to properly prepare the cover for primer and refinish procedures as specified by the paint manufacturer. On May 13, 2008 staff appraiser Terry Maloney arrived at our facility to verify that the bumper cover was indeed unprimed. At that time I handed Mr. Maloney a copy of a detailed invoice listing all material required to prep and refinish the cover. While acknowledging that the quantities listed on the invoice appeared to accurately reflect what was required for the prep and refinish, Mr. Maloney stated that State Farm will not "allow" anymore than what their dollar per paint hour method calculates. I pointed out that their formula does not adequately reimburse the consumer for all items used. In an attempt to allow more funds, Mr. Maloney added a line item for tinting the paint paid at sheet metal rates and an additional 1/2 hour for raw bumper prep at refinish rates. THIS STILL LEFT THE CONSUMER HAVING TO PAY $ 67.82 OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET !!! In prior dealings with other appraisers from the same company, they have recognized the itemized invoice as a valid method of reimbursing for paint and associated materials. Now it appears that the staff appraisers have been instructed to ignore them. I realize that at the time of their initial appraisal, there is no way to accurately "estimate" the quantities required or necessary to repair a vehicle, but when they are presented with an itemized invoice, all guesses are now rendered moot. The proof of the loss is contained in the invoice. It is ironic that they require shops to provide invoices for parts price increases and have no problem paying them, but when presented the same type invoice for paint and associated products, they balk. Please investigate this and the other violations sent to you. Rick Dotterer