[Shotimes] OT - Insurance Problem HELP!

[Alan Fanning]

I desperately need some feedback on how to deal with an insurance claim.

Back in January, my daughter had a minor run-in with another student in a
parking lot in Bozeman, MT. The daughter was traveling down a main aisle
when she was tagged on the rear bumper by a girl who was traveling down a
side aisle. The daughter had the right-of-way and the girl braked to avoid
hitting the daughter, but due to icy conditions the girl's car slid into the
daughter's.

These facts are uncontested by the participants and we have a statement from
the girl supporting them. The problem is with the girl's Allstate claims
adjuster, who for the past two months has refused to return phone calls from
our Mercury adjuster. At one time this person apparently offered to pay a
percentage of the costs (estimated at ~$350 total, at Bozeman labor rates)
but has taken the position that "it's just one of those accidents where
nobody's at fault". The girl, bless her pointed little head, believes it's
"the ice's fault".

I have no experience with ice-induced insurance claims, but it sure seems to
me that the girl was driving too fast for the conditions (weather and
automotive).  Since it's below the $500 cutoff for taking to arbitration
between the two insurance companies, my adjuster wants to close the case and
toss it into my lap to take to small claims court. That would require the
daughter to persue, since I'm 1000 miles away.

My adjuster did say that if I could get another quote for repair, over $500,
then he could take it to arbitration. Do you think I can get a shop here in
expensive San Jose to quote based on photos of the damage?

Going nuts over a few hundred lousy bucks...

    Alan