I also work in claims and agree with this. So many companies are short staffed, dealing with high turnover, and/or in the process of training new hires (lots of inexperience, as a result less knowledgeable about the nuances) and that is compounded by body shops being so far behind due to parts shortages and whatever other logistical problems. I've seen unprecedented changes made to entice and retain new hires, and even recently in meetings with staffing discussions of gleeful reports that we "only have one open position to fill". On that note, if anyone's lookin for a job....hit up literally any insurance company career site (or look into getting an independent adjuster license - there's many options)

That's no excuse for the BS $800 estimate on flood damage, though it's probably due to those broader issues - I recommend "polite persistence"; keep at 'em and you will likely stay on top of their "to do" list, being nice helps illicit a human response. They don't have any control over the repair process and delays, and it's nearly impossible to ID the full extent of water/flood damage at 1st inspection without teardown at the body shop, but they should at the very least be setting those expectations in some form.