It’s not uncommon for auto mechanics to deal with car insurance companies. They probably do it more than they’d like due to car wrecks and working with insurance adjusters. However, when these companies fail to remove vehicles deemed total losses, things can get sticky. Now, one body shop in New York claims Liberty Mutual has left a car abandoned for the better part of a year, and this isn’t the only shop with this experience. 

Auto mechanics need the space on their lots

Auto mechanics don’t have an easy job. However, things get worse when their shops are crowded with vehicles that need to be picked up after car wrecks. According to Repairer Driven News, this is happening with Fiero Collision in Brooklyn. The company has filed a complaint with the New York Department of Financial Services.

According to the complaint, a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer arrived at the lot on November 7th. A Liberty Mutual adjuster inspected the vehicle on November 27th, and the owner released it on December 11th because it was a total loss. The insurance company received the charges the following day, and arrangements were supposed to be made to remove the car, as auto mechanics can’t afford to keep abandoned vehicles.

Now, the car is still at the body shop, and Liberty Mutual owes about $33,390 in storage fees, which go up about $105 each day. However, other auto mechanics have similar stories. After leaving a car for seven months, the company paid K&M Collision in North Carolina $18,732 earlier this year. Notably, this was the third time Liberty Mutual did this to K&M. 

Regarding Fiero Collision, Liberty Mutual told the owner it had not abandoned the car. Instead, the company has stated it’s unable to pay the fees, which the owner doubts is the case. He believes the company picks up cars with more salvage value and leaves vehicles deemed worthless for the auto mechanics to deal with.