Questions & answers · Car insurance
In Washington, the other driver's insurer pays less than my repair shop's estimate. Do they have to explain why?
Car insurancePaid too littleWashingtonChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: Washington Administrative Code 284-30-390 «Acts or practices considered unfair in the settlement of motor vehicle claims.» · subsection (2) View original ↗
In short
- Washington's motor vehicle claims rule covers a "claimant," a word defined to include third-party claimants.
- If the insurer pays less than the estimate from the claimant's chosen repair facility, it must disclose all of the reasons.
- It must also give a reasonable explanation of the policy provision it cites, and document the case in its claim file.
What this means
This answer uses Washington sources only. WAC 284-30-390 lists acts the insurer must not do in motor vehicle claims, and WAC 284-30-320 defines "claimant" to include a third-party claimant. One listed act is unreasonably denying a claimant's estimate for repairs. The rule says that if the insurer pays less than the estimate from the claimant's chosen repair facility, it must promptly and fully disclose all of the reasons, including a reasonable explanation of the cited policy provision, and thoroughly document the circumstances in its claim file. Another paragraph says that if the insurer determines it owes an amount different from the claimant's estimate, it must fully disclose the reasons for the difference. The same rule also says that if you choose a repair facility whose cost to restore the vehicle is above the insurer's estimate, you must be advised that you may be responsible for the extra amount. The rule does not say how much more the insurer must pay.
Your next step
Ask the other insurer in writing for all its reasons for paying less than your shop's estimate. Send the shop's estimate or invoice with your request. The rule gives no day count for this answer; see our Washington answer on reply times for the reply times.
Check it yourself
Open WAC 284-30-390 and read subsections (2) and (4).
Where this comes from (3)
[1] Washington Administrative Code 284-30-390 «Acts or practices considered unfair in the settlement of motor vehicle claims.» · subsection (2) · checked 2026-11-05
(2) Unreasonably denying a claimant's estimate for repairs. If the insurer pays less than the amount of the estimate from the claimant's chosen repair facility, the insurer must promptly and fully disclose all of the reasons it paid less than the claimant's estimate, including a reasonable explanation of the cited policy provision to reject the claimant's repair estimate or invoice, and must thoroughly document the c…
[2] Washington Administrative Code 284-30-390 · subsection (4)(b) · checked 2026-11-05
(b) If a claimant provides the repair estimate and the insurer, after evaluation of the claimant's estimate, determines it owes an amount that differs from the estimate the claimant provided, the insurer must fully disclose all of the reasons for the difference to the claimant. This includes a reasonable explanation of cited policy provision to reject the claimant's repair estimate or invoice, and must thoroughly doc…
[3] Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 284-30-320 «Definitions.» · subsection (2) · checked 2026-11-05
(2) "Claimant" means, depending upon the circumstance, either a first party claimant, a third-party claimant, or both and includes a claimant's designated legal representative and a member of the claimant's immediate family designated by the claimant.
How we found this
We matched your question to 3 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-05.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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