Allstate's Estimate Was Less Than Half What My Repairs Cost

I never imagined that after an accident I'd have to fight with my own insurance company just to have my vehicle repaired correctly.

After I took my vehicle to the body shop, Allstate inspected it, worked with the shop, and completed both their original estimate and a supplement. They told me the repairs would cost $4,728.71. The problem was the body shop explained that the damage was much more extensive and that it would actually take over $11,000 to repair my vehicle properly.

I was frustrated and honestly didn't know what to do. I couldn't afford to pay the difference out of my own pocket, and I didn't think it was fair that I was being put in that position.

The body shop told me about something in my policy that I had never heard of before, the Right to Appraisal. They referred me to a public adjuster who reviewed my claim and agreed that the estimate from Allstate was far too low. They invoked the appraisal clause on my behalf and represented my interests throughout the process.

When the appraisal was complete, the final agreed amount was $11,806.75.

Without the appraisal clause, I would have been left trying to come up with thousands of dollars just to have my vehicle repaired correctly. Instead, the process gave me a fair opportunity to challenge an inadequate estimate and reach the amount that was actually needed to restore my vehicle.

My experience taught me that most consumers don't even know this protection exists until someone tells them about it. The Right to Appraisal helped level the playing field when I didn't know where else to turn.

I believe every Montana driver deserves the same protection. No one should have to choose between paying thousands of dollars out of pocket or accepting incomplete repairs simply because they disagree with their insurance company's estimate. The Right to Appraisal gives consumers a fair way to resolve those disputes, and I hope it remains available to every policyholder in Montana.