Insurance is demanding repair estimates but nobody will give me one — what do I do??

Ugh, I went through almost the exact same runaround after my accident last year. What finally worked for me was going to a dealer's body shop instead of independent shops — they were way more used to dealing with third-party claims and actually handed me a written estimate same day. Worth a shot if you haven't tried that yet.

This is a classic delay tactic. They know body shops are reluctant to do third-party estimates, and they're using that to slow-walk your claim. The longer they drag it out, the more likely you are to either accept a lowball offer just to be done with it or miss some deadline they'll later use against you. Don't let them make this feel like YOUR failure — document every single attempt you make to get an estimate, dates, shop names, responses. That paper trail matters.

Former adjuster here. Honestly, the shops aren't wrong to be cautious — third-party claims can be a nightmare for them to get paid on. But here's what most people don't know: the insurance company can send their OWN appraiser to look at your vehicle. They don't actually need you to bring them an outside estimate. If you push back and say you've made multiple attempts and no shop will provide a written third-party estimate, ask them to send their field appraiser. Put that request in writing via email so there's a record.

Stop waiting for them to fix this. Three things: (1) Send a certified letter to the adjuster summarizing every shop you contacted and the response you got. (2) Ask explicitly in writing for them to send their own inspector. (3) Look into whether your own collision coverage can handle it first and then subrogate — yeah you might pay a deductible upfront but you stop bleeding rental costs. Sort it out later.

Not legal advice, but the situation you're describing — where an at-fault party's insurer creates procedural hoops that are practically impossible to clear — is worth at least a free consultation with a PI attorney. Many handle property damage too. The rental costs alone adding up while they stall could be relevant to a bad-faith argument. Just something to consider. Most consultations cost you nothing.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this on top of everything else. It shouldn't be this hard when someone else clearly caused the accident. The rental car costs coming out of your pocket especially — that's so unfair. Hang in there and don't let them wear you down.

Quick question — did the adjuster put the estimate requirement in writing, or was this just verbal? Because sometimes adjusters say things on the phone that aren't actually policy. If it's in an email, that's useful. If it's just something they told you over the phone, I'd call back and ask them to send you written instructions on exactly what they need and what format. Sometimes that request alone clarifies things fast.