Understanding the insurance supplement process can be very confusing. After your insurance claim is filed and your car is in the body shop for repairs there is a possibility that hidden damages will be found by the repair shop. In fact 99% of the time hidden damages are found. Keep in mind that the first estimate written is preliminary. The insurance adjuster can not see damage behind parts that are still on your vehicle. This is why the repair shop will perform a tear down on your vehicle. The tear down will expose any hidden damage that will need to be supplemented to the insurance company. In some cases, upon reassembling a vehicle, more parts may be needed. The list below will explain how the insurance supplement process works.
1. The repair shop submits the supplement to the insurance company documenting any additional parts or repairs needed. At this point the repair shop CAN NOT continue with repairs until it is approved.
2. The insurance company receives the supplement and it is reviewed. The review time can be between 2-7 days.
3. The insurance company may send an adjuster to the shop to reinspect the vehicle for the supplement.
4. The insurance company approves the supplement and contacts the repair shop.
5. If parts are needed the repair shop will order the parts. Keep in mind that dealerships do not stock all parts. Some parts may take a few days to come in.
6. When all the parts are at the repair shop the repairs can continue.
