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When did estimates turn into deadlines?

(domainanalysis.io)
317 points alexzeitler | 2 comments | 19 Nov 24 20:03 UTC | HN request time: 0.399s | source
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tyingq ◴[19 Nov 24 22:48 UTC] No.42188919[source]▶
"Can you imagine if the insurance company started arguing with the repair shop, asking them—no—telling them that they would only pay the $18,000 and not the additional $20,000 because that was the original estimate? Does that sound ridiculous to you? It does to me, too. Thank heavens, reality does not operate like this."

That happens all the time with insurance. I'm surprised at the confident tone in "reality does not operate like this". Not just car/home insurance either...health insurance also. They do often negotiate to a reasonable place, but not always.

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1. brookst ◴[19 Nov 24 22:59 UTC] No.42188984[source]▶
It depends on whether we're talking about estimates or negotiated rates.

In the latter (also called "preferred rates" for auto insurance) there's a blanket agreement that all work of a certain type is to be billed at a fixed, negotiated rate.

That is VERY different from a binding estimate, which typically means a one-off estimate for a specific job where the estimator takes the risk and promises to complete the work at the rate, even if it's much more complicated than they bargained for.

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2. tyingq ◴[19 Nov 24 23:30 UTC] No.42189202[source]▶
There's also whether they will pay at all for some things. They have some discretion to claim some damage was existing, or unrelated to the claim, caused by the repair shop, not normally covered, etc. Or where they won't pay for OEM parts if some substitute is available. There's lots of ways they can shuffle around.