by Gfoyle » Fri Sep 21, 2007 03:12 pm
I just had my first ever car accident and insurance claim. The driver for the other car was totally at fault so her insurance company, Gieco, has accepted full liability. I've been dealing with them and I have three questions:
1) The car was a total loss, Gieco's appraisal of the value of the car is $1000 different than the appraisal from my insurance. How should I approach this. I would rather avoid going throught my insurance so as to avoid my rate going up or paying the $500 deductalbe. Please advice
2) Currently Gieco is suppling me with a rental car, but they have only given me 7 days worth of rental. How long can I ask for the rental, especially since I still havent settled the value of the car or given the the lienholder info for payoff.
3) My son suffered some minor injuries, bruised knee and slight whiplash. I've taken him to his doctor and he appear to just be a little sore. Should I only ask for reembursement of for the doctor's visit or ask for a small additional amount incase he doesn't feel better by next week and needs to be seen again. What amount if I should ask for this.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
1) The car was a total loss, Gieco's appraisal of the value of the car is $1000 different than the appraisal from my insurance. How should I approach this. I would rather avoid going throught my insurance so as to avoid my rate going up or paying the $500 deductalbe. Please advice
2) Currently Gieco is suppling me with a rental car, but they have only given me 7 days worth of rental. How long can I ask for the rental, especially since I still havent settled the value of the car or given the the lienholder info for payoff.
3) My son suffered some minor injuries, bruised knee and slight whiplash. I've taken him to his doctor and he appear to just be a little sore. Should I only ask for reembursement of for the doctor's visit or ask for a small additional amount incase he doesn't feel better by next week and needs to be seen again. What amount if I should ask for this.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 09:01 pm Post Subject: total loss car accident
1) You could file the property damage claim under your own policy and ask GEICO to forward your $500 ded to you up front (they are going to pay it anyway). Most adjusters will do this but it's possible they could refuse. If this is done, your carrier will ask for full reimbursement from GEICO, GEICO will offer the $1000 less amount they came up with and most likely your carrier will just accept it. No big deal, it happens all the time and this _difference_ won't change anything (including rates).
I'd recommend seeing where the difference lies. Did GEICO missing something that your carrier did not? This happens often. But also what happens often is that the two carriers use different means to arrive at the value. Neither may be incorrect based on their means. You can also see if GEICO will take a look at your carriers valuation and consider their amount. Perhaps GEICO would be willing to get closer to your carriers amount and you'd be willing to accept this rather then file through your own carrier. To the GEICO adjuster this would mean they could close their claim much more quickly and not have to wait for your carriers bill and then hash it out with them. Adjusters are responsible for closing claims quickly and many times they are willing to compromise.
Your carrier will probably not increase your rates for a "not at fault" accident. You should speak to your agent about this and get their take on the matter as they can let you know specifically how your carrier addresses this situation.
2) GEICO only needs to pay for the rental until they make an offer... which it appears they already have. Anything beyond that time is icing on the cake and not owed. Many carriers will extend the rental payment 3-4 days after they make the offer but no more. Your days are numbered, so be careful.
3) Every state is different and there is _no way_ to even begin to guess as how the medical bills are handled in your state. In several states, the other carrier would not owe 1 cent toward the medical bills (your carrier would address them). Other states, you could seek payment for medical expenses and "pain and suffering". Several states fall somewhere in between. Post what state the accident happen in for a better (and important) answer.
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 09:13 pm Post Subject: Total loss car accident: Virginia
I'm from Virginia and my son has a bruise and contusion to the knee and a slight case of whiplash (he's 15). Thanks so much for the info and help on this. :lol:
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 09:42 pm Post Subject:
No No-Fault in VA so it looks like to me that you can collect Special Damages (medical bills/expenses) and General Damages ("pain and suffering") from the other carrier. Should you ask for more then the medical bills? That is up to you... but your son had pain from the injury and inconvenience from the injury and he's certainly entitled to be compensated for this. If they don't know already, make sure the GEICO adjuster knows that there is an injury claim out there. Many adjusters consider this while dealing with the property damage as the last thing they want is a P.O'ed person with an injury claim to be settled.
With the words you used to describe the injury I'll assume that your son went for medical treatment. It also sounds like it is probably a minor injury that will heal itself soon enough. Most injury settlements are made based on the nature of the injury, the age of the injured party and the medical treatment obtained. The GEICO adjuster may even offer to cover the medical bills as they are known at this time and offer a few hundred more on top of that to see if you want to settle right now. My recommendation would be to let the adjuster know you want to settle the property damage 1st and then go from there (nothing like an injury claim hanging over the head of the adjuster to motivate them).
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:26 am Post Subject: total loss car accident
1) You could file the property damage claim under your own policy
no, Tcope you mis-spoke, you could file a collision claim, NOT a PD claim.Did GEICO missing something that your carrier did not?
Or, it's possible her carrier added some things incorrectly as well, having an incorrect inflated value.2) GEICO only needs to pay for the rental until they make an offer... which it appears they already have. Anything beyond that time is icing on the cake and not owed. Many carriers will extend the rental payment 3-4 days after they make the offer but no more. Your days are numbered, so be careful.
In my state (MO), rental is extended 72 hours after an offer of settlement. That doesn't mean you agree with the offer, just that an offer has been made. 72 hours that's all they HAVE to afford you. I have extended it some dependent on individual circumstances, (ie weekend etc).Many adjusters consider this while dealing with the property damage as the last thing they want is a P.O'ed person with an injury claim to be settled
I agree, although it is actually illegal to 'combine' or even 'consider' them together, Tcope is correct that it is in your mind (as an adjuster), that, ''I still have to settle this B.I. as well" (assuming same adjuster is handling both, which isn't always the case)..Shouldn't be too hard to figure out, (quickly) the differences between the evaluations of your vehicles ACV (actual cash value) once the evaluations are side by side. Remember, though as I stated above it is just as possible that your carrier errored in their evaluation as the claimant carrier. If there is no error, and other carrier will not budge on the value, I would most certainly use my collision coverage, you will (either now or later) get that 500 back. Also not sure if you understand (many don't) in this instance (total loss) you won't actually be 'paying' that deductible it will just be subtracted from the draft.
As to your boy's injury, I would make sure (wait a week or so) that he is fine, and not going to require any additional medical care. Then I think I would want a little something. Few hundred dollars or so for his (and your) pain, inconvenience, trauma etc.
Good luck, so glad :D your son (and you) weren't injured any worse. Let us know how it turned out, or if there is anything else we can do to assist you ! :)
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 06:14 pm Post Subject: Can I Seperate the Claims?
Both issurers are seperating the Damage and Medical claims and having me deal with different departmets. I've decided to let my insurer handle the damage claim since Gieco wouldn't up their total loss offer. Does this mean need to go thru my issurance for the medical bills too? or can I go thru Gieco for that if I want. Thanks again for the help, the total loss info came in handy and help me feel more confindent when I was discussing this with both appraisers.
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 06:21 pm Post Subject: Car Rental
Gieco has been suppling me with a car rental while we've tried to come to an agreement. I'm turning the rental back in today, can I now use the $600 of rental allotment from my insurance or is that not possible.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:18 pm Post Subject:
Both issurers are seperating the Damage and Medical claims and having me deal with different departmets
They have to (not separate dept. but handle them separately). You cannot combine the physcial damage and injury they have to be handled as two claims.I've decided to let my insurer handle the damage claim since Gieco wouldn't up their total loss offer
That was a good idea.Does this mean need to go thru my issurance for the medical bills too?
Your company (if you have med pay) will handle that in ADDITION to the injury claim/settlement you will have coming from Gieco, and the medical bills paid again by them to you.Generally injury claims are not paid (under the Bodily Injury or liability portion, by the claimant or adverse carrier) until you have finished all treatment and have 'healed' they will pay the medical bills incurred, loss of wage and your pain and suffering all at one time and together (usually). Your company cannot pay you an injury settlement (except in an uninsured motorist situation which this clearly is not).
or can I go thru Gieco for that if I want.
No 'want' to it on this one, if you have an injury claim Gieco is the ONLY one that can pay that.I now use the $600 of rental allotment from my insurance or is that not possible.
The $600 is the MAX coverage you purchased per accident is is probably $20.00 per day for a max of thirty days (or $600.00). Ask them and see. Have they made an offer of total loss settlement (your company)? If so (generally) they will give you 72 hours after that. It also makes a difference in the coverage, is it rental reimbursement-loss of use-or rental? Also something to think about as well if it is as I mentioned a max of 20.00 per day, you more than likely will be paying an additional $5.00-20.00 per day out of pocket if you cannot get a rental vehicle (all inclusive including taxes etc) for 20 per day. Understand?Clear as mud isn't it? :? That's the main reason I think these forums are so important. There are so many 'if's' especially in claims!
Let us know if that's what you needed. Again, you will have an injury claim to negotiate and settle with Gieco, your company will (now) handle the subrogation with them regarding your vehicles total loss settlement. You will be out your deductible (maybe), if Gieco won't 'front' it to you.
Until the subro demand has been paid to your carrier by Gieco.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:55 pm Post Subject: Medical Release Form?
I recieved a form from Gieco which they say I need to sign and send back to them which will allow them to discuss my son's medical info and history with his doctor. Is this ordinary procedure and nothing to worry about? I've already faxed them a copy of the reciept for his doctor visit.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 01:01 pm Post Subject: Thanks So Much!
This forum has been the greatest of helps. Lori you are the best! Being a single father, I really need to watch my pennies and something like this is really important. No one in my circle of friends and family have had to deal with this, so I really didn't have anyone to advise me. I'm so glad I did a search for help and found this forum. I'm getting a rental car thru my insurance for 8 days and becuase I'm in Virginia my agent said that my $600 is cumulative and not on a $20 a day basis, so no out of pocket. The medical stuff isn't time sensitive and only a minor injury, so that should be easier to deal with. Now I can just enjoy the fun (sarcastic) of haggling with car salesmen. Thank you again Lori! YOU ROCK
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 01:09 pm Post Subject:
I recieved a form from Gieco which they say I need to sign and send back to them which will allow them to discuss my son's medical info and history with his doctor
Yes, this is standard, if it says something like, ''authorization to obtain medical information'' or 'release of medical information' as long as it DOESN'T say (and I'm sure it doesn't) RELEASE of all claims' etc. They need this to get all bills, doc reports, nurses and docs notes etc. in order to properly evaluate your son's injury.This forum has been the greatest of helps. Lori you are the best!
Thank you again Lori! YOU ROCK
Aren't you sweet?! :oops: You are welcome, it is my pleasure, and the whole reason I have joined forums such as these, to try (in some small way), to help take some of the confusion, sting, and trauma out of the claims process for those without experience or personal contacts to aid them.
You made my day!
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