Will 4S shops intentionally overestimate repair costs?

[DiLucy]

Generally, they won't intentionally overestimate. The repair cost assessment is a collaborative project between insurance companies and 4S shops. The 4S shop is responsible for determining which parts need repair or replacement, while the insurance company verifies and checks the repair items. All parts to be replaced will be reclaimed by the insurance company, and all areas requiring repair must be photographed and documented by the insurance company. Therefore, 4S shops cannot arbitrarily quote prices, making it difficult to inflate repair costs. Solutions for disputes in repair cost assessment: Disputes in repair cost assessment can be resolved through negotiation. If the policyholder disagrees with the loss amount determined by the insurance company's assessment, they can refuse to sign and confirm the assessment form. In this case, since both parties have not reached an agreement on the repair items and amounts, the assessment form issued by the insurance company is not binding on the policyholder. The car owner has the right to request a reassessment through relevant procedures and involve a third-party evaluation center. Determine the repair method in advance. Typically, insurance companies prefer to repair damaged vehicle parts rather than replace them, unless the parts are beyond repair. However, most car owners tend to prefer direct replacement to avoid future issues. Therefore, before or during the repair process, it is advisable for the policyholder to negotiate with the assessor to confirm the repair method to ensure appropriate compensation. Get the assessment and repair done at the same place. In addition to the above points, if the car owner has already agreed with the surveyor to determine the loss amount based on the 4S shop's repair method, they should not switch to a regular repair shop after the assessment. This avoids the insurance company reassessing the loss amount based on the standards of the chosen repair shop during the claim process, which could result in unnecessary expenses for the car owner.