Safeco Ins is a Racket-Especially if you are 3rd party, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

I was hit by a a Safeco customer last October. Safeco accepted liability, as it was a clear cut decision, when their customer hit me from behind while in a traffic jam. The adjuster came out and said that he would only pay for an aftermarket bumper and was not going to pay the labor rate of the shop which is the same rate all shops in the area charge. He also wanted to pay me for an "appearance allowance" to make up the difference between the aftermarket bumper and the manufacturer bumper, which is illegal! An appearance allowance is their way of saying that their customer did some damage to a part of the car, but we wont pay for it, instead giving you a few dollars to shut up. If it is damaged, then they have to pay for it, not offer some sleazy few bucks for the appearance. And it was an allowance for something that wasnt damaged, so I told them NO! After fighting it out with them and and getting nowhere, I decided to go ahead and repair my vehicle. Here's what you should know: Most State Dept of Insurance Commissions will only help you if you are a first party and your insurance company is not acting within the policy(contract) that you have with them. They are not willing to help a 3rd party(the party not at fault) because most states are tort states, meaning your only recourse is to persue the person who is at fault in court. So I had my vehicle repaired and told the rude adjuster that his customer is getting my bill, and if he doesnt pay it, then I would take them to court. And by the obligations of their policy, Safeco would have to pay to defend them in court. In the end, they paid every dime of the bill, without having to go to court. So, if you are not at fault, and liability is clear, then you have every right to just get your vehicle fixed, and give the person that hit you the bill, their insurance company will be jumping then! Remember, If you are not at fault, you dont have to play by the other insurance companies rules, because you dont have a signed policy(contract) with them that obligates you to anything they say. Dont let an adjuster that knows absolutely NOTHING about repairing a car dictate to you how your car should be repaired. They have no experience or training in repairing vehicles. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!

Safeco Customer Claim