Body shop keeps changing my repair timeline — is this normal or am I being strung along?

Ugh, I went through almost exactly this after my accident last year. The supplemental thing is real — shops do sometimes find hidden damage once they start tearing things apart, especially with front-end hits. But the communication breakdown between the shop and the adjuster? That part is 100% on them and it's infuriating. I started keeping a running notes doc on my phone with the date, time, name of whoever I spoke to, and what they said. It helped SO much when I needed to push back later.

Document EVERYTHING. Every call, every voicemail, every email. Adjusters sometimes let timelines drift because most people just wait patiently. The moment you start creating a paper trail and referencing specific dates and names, things tend to move faster. Don't be rude, but be persistent and specific. "On Tuesday at 2pm I was told X by Y" hits different than "someone told me last week."

Former adjuster here. Supplemental claims are totally legitimate — shops physically can't see everything until they start disassembly, especially around radiator supports and frame brackets. That part checks out. The part that shouldn't be happening is the adjuster and shop giving you different timelines. Honestly that usually means neither of them has fully reviewed the supplemental yet. I'd call the adjuster directly and ask them to confirm in writing (even just an email) what the revised estimated completion date is. That usually lights a fire.

On your rental coverage question — it's worth asking the adjuster specifically whether the policy covers a rental extension when delays are caused by the repair process or a supplemental finding, not by anything you did. Some policies have flexibility there, especially when the at-fault party's insurance is paying. It never hurts to ask directly. Also, get everything in writing going forward — even just a quick "just following up on our call, my understanding is X" email creates a record.

You mentioned soreness after the crash — please don't let the car stress make you ignore how you're feeling physically. A lot of people dismiss post-accident soreness and it turns into something that lingers for months. If you haven't already, it might be worth getting checked out just to have it on record, even if you feel mostly okay.

Short answer: yes, log every call. Yes, push back on the rental limit in writing. And honestly — if the shop can't give you a firm revised date in the next day or two, ask the insurance company if you can move the car to another shop. You usually can. Sometimes just asking that question makes things move.

Quick question — is this the other driver's insurance paying, or your own? That matters a lot for how much leverage you have on the rental coverage extension. If it's a third-party claim you generally have more room to push on "reasonable" rental coverage since the delay isn't your fault at all.

It's annoying, but the fact that they found supplemental damage actually works in your favor in the long run. Better they catch it now than you drive away with a structurally compromised front end that causes problems in six months. Hang in there — the paper trail advice above is solid and this stuff does get resolved.