How to Spot an Underpaid Insurance Claim After an Accident – and How Much You Could Still Be Owed
Got a payout from the at-fault driver’s insurer, but something feels off? That instinct is often right: underpaid claims are one of the most common problems after an a…
Got a payout from the at-fault driver’s insurer, but something feels off? That instinct is often right: underpaid claims are one of the most common problems after an accident, and most people don’t even realize they were entitled to more.
How to tell your payout was underpaid
The simplest test: compare the amount the insurer paid with the actual repair cost at a workshop. If the workshop quotes more than what you received, that’s a clear sign the insurer paid less than it should have.
Underpayment is especially common when the damage was settled on a cost-estimate basis (meaning the insurer simply transferred you an amount, instead of directing you to a specific workshop for repair).
The most common ways insurers underpay
Cheaper part alternatives instead of original parts. You’re entitled to parts of the same class that were in the car before the accident – insurers often price in the cheapest alternatives instead.
Underpriced labor rates. Insurer estimates typically use rates lower than what workshops in your region actually charge.
Paint layer coefficient. Insurers often suggest fewer paint layers than a proper repair requires – directly lowering the payout.
Undervalued vehicle in total-loss cases. When repair costs exceed the car’s value, the insurer calculates the difference between the pre-accident value and the wreck’s value – and here there’s significant room for underpayment: a lower valuation of the car, a higher valuation of the wreck.
Skipped damage items. Things like towing, storage, or loss of resale value are often simply left out of the estimate.
How much can you realistically recover
It’s highly case-specific, but the difference can be significant – sometimes a few hundred złoty, sometimes several thousand, especially for newer, pricier cars. For reference, here are examples from our own practice:
Situation
Insurer’s payout
Recovered top-up
Total
Intersection collision (Mercedes GLE)
11,200 zł
+9,600 zł
20,800 zł
Parking lot impact (Škoda Superb)
4,800 zł
+3,700 zł
8,500 zł
Road damage (VW Golf)
3,100 zł
+2,400 zł
5,500 zł
These figures are illustrative – we calculate every case individually, depending on the extent of the damage, the car’s make, and the specific insurer’s decision.
What to do if you suspect underpayment
Gather your documents: the insurer’s decision, the estimate, photos of the damage.
Compare the insurer’s estimate against a real workshop quote, line by line.
Consider an independent damage assessment – a strong argument the insurer can’t simply ignore.
Don’t sign a settlement agreement until you’ve confirmed the amount actually matches real repair costs – a settlement usually closes the case for good.
How RemZone helps
We analyze your insurer’s decision for free and tell you honestly whether it’s worth pursuing a top-up. If it is, we take the case on: you get paid right away, and all further steps with the insurer – including any potential dispute – become our responsibility.
FAQ
How much does it cost to check my case? Nothing – the analysis and initial assessment are free.
What if I’ve already accepted the payout? Accepting a payout alone doesn’t close your case – signing a settlement agreement does. If you haven’t signed one, you can still pursue a top-up.
Does this only apply to OC, or AC (comprehensive) too? Yes, insurers underpay in similar ways under both OC and AC policies.
Feel like you got paid less than you deserved? Message us on WhatsApp and send us the insurer’s decision – we’ll assess for free how much you’re realistically owed.
