I just hung with my adjuster at Aviva. I have made the decision to get started on the repairs without knowing if I will be on the hook for them or not because this was deadlocking us. Aviva can’t make a decision as to coverage until the appraiser has a chance to look at the guts of the damage. That is going to happen sometime tomorrow. I have given the mechanic the green light to do whatever work needs to be done to get me back on the road lickety split.

The adjuster seems to have changed her tune regarding whether or not I’ll get covered for this or maybe she just boiled it down to the nitty gritty. Basically, the appraiser needs to be confident that the damage could be related to the accident and that there are no wear and tear issues. If that’s the case, then I’m covered, and all is good. But if there is even the slightest hint of a wear and tear issue, I’m out of luck.

I also decided to advise the adjuster about the buzz online about this issue. I made it clear that I don’t expect that to get me any special consideration, but that Aviva needs to know that people are talking. She said that I’m free to say what I want but that they have policies and procedures to adhere to. She seemed to think that I was trying to muscle her, which is exactly why I wanted to avoid bringing up the ‘do you know who I am?’ card. But I think it was courteous of me to do so.

So I just want to go on the record to say that I think that Aviva is handling the claim, complicated as it has become, competently, if not fast enough for my needs, and that I don’t feel like a valued customer. This is my first time dealing with an insurance company where I feel like a number. I’ve never had an at-fault claim and have always been treated for my not-at-fault claims beyond the stated policies and procedures as a victim who needs special care. Call me spoiled. Entitled even.

I think my adjuster and I are still on okay terms. She brought up the appraiser’s estimate versus the mechanic’s and our conversation soon sounded, in my opinion, like an argument. I was horrified! She and I have more than enough to discuss without arguing over something that neither one of us has any control over! I quickly put the lid on that and told her that it would cost what it costs and that the appraiser and mechanic can hash it out themselves and that we don’t need to worry about that at this point.

At this point, I don’t expect any further updates from Aviva before Thursday, and I could be back on the road Saturday as planned, but surely no later than next Tuesday.

I’m heading back to the hotel. I’m nowhere near my $1,000 allowance on it, so I might as well take advantage of the facilities. They have an onsite laundry, so I’m off to drag my very neglected and overflowing laundry basket into the trunk of the rental car. 🙂

As for the rental car, my Intact adjuster says that they’re still paying for it, and will for a couple more days!