by Guest » Fri Oct 19, 2007 07:14 pm
So I paid off my Honda with a decent tax return about two years ago. It's an older Honda 98 Accord.
I changed my policy (Safe Auto) to liability only. I'm a very good driver, no speeding tickets, no accidents.. etc.
Since that time, I've had my car broken into, vandalized, and had people bump and dent and stuff fall on it. I've paid out a few grand out of pocket.
So I downsized moved to a rural area...
I'm hearing and seeing people getting hit by deer or swerving to avoid deer at least twice a week.
I call Safe Auto and as I figured, they tell me that my policy won't cover break-ins and deer.. so I have them change my policy to add Comp/Collision with a $500 deductible. With my money problems I simply couldn't afford any more issues with my car.
6 days later, I got hit by a deer on my way home from work.
I file the report with the Police, file the claim, and Safe Auto says it raises a red flag because I changed my policy.
They said they have to investigate police records, phone records.. etc and that will decide what is going to happen?
What is my recourse if they give me a hard time?
I changed my policy (Safe Auto) to liability only. I'm a very good driver, no speeding tickets, no accidents.. etc.
Since that time, I've had my car broken into, vandalized, and had people bump and dent and stuff fall on it. I've paid out a few grand out of pocket.
So I downsized moved to a rural area...
I'm hearing and seeing people getting hit by deer or swerving to avoid deer at least twice a week.
I call Safe Auto and as I figured, they tell me that my policy won't cover break-ins and deer.. so I have them change my policy to add Comp/Collision with a $500 deductible. With my money problems I simply couldn't afford any more issues with my car.
6 days later, I got hit by a deer on my way home from work.
I file the report with the Police, file the claim, and Safe Auto says it raises a red flag because I changed my policy.
They said they have to investigate police records, phone records.. etc and that will decide what is going to happen?
What is my recourse if they give me a hard time?
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:08 pm Post Subject:
Now I think you see their point... it is a little coincidental. But take that with a grain of salt. There is probably deer remains on the vehicle to confirm that it was an animal impact (you have collision anyway, though) and you filed a police report to confirm the date of the accident and provide your verification that it was a deer impact. Getting a copy of the police report is probably all they will need to do. It's probably company policy to do this if the coverage has recently been added.
My recommendation is to obtain a copy of the police report yourself and give it to your local agent or fax it to the adjuster. It will probably speed up the processing of the claim.
I'm glad to hear that you added the coverage before the accident happen!
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 11:32 am Post Subject:
Good morning Doddy and welcome to the community!
Tcope if of course correct,
Safe Auto says it raises a red flag because I changed my policy.
It would've raised the same flag with me...The just need to make sure you didn't hit that deer the day before you changed the coverage.There is probably deer remains on the vehicle to confirm that it was an animal impact
I have handled tens of thousands of deer hits, I have NEVER NOT ONCE not been able to find evidence of the deer impact, some times it takes some looking granted, but it is always there. I have also handled many 'deer claims' that were not they were collision claims that were turned in as comp claims, (generally cannot be 'rated up with a comp loss). Those typcially the insured once presented with the evidence will 'recant' and simply change it to collision.Don't worry your phone records, will for sure show the date, and time, (can even close to the location the call came from on cell phones). The police report too.
Try not to get too mad at them, they are simply doing their job, and as I said, I would've thrown a red flag as well. Actually the company I work for the computer (when the claim was reported) would've thrown a 'block' up saying something like, 'loss reported within 10 days of coverage change' so it would've had to been investigated, and cleared prior to even being able to issue a payment.
It shouldn't take too terribly long, as well as tcopes suggestion about the police report I'd get on line and print out my cell phone record for that day and fax it to them as well.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out!
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 12:28 pm Post Subject: Deer Accident
Hi Doddy,
It is very difficult to do anything buy give opinions in a situation like yours since auto insurance laws and regulations are state specific and the terms and conditons of the policy vary from company to company.
It has been my experience that any reputable insurance company or agency will require a visual inspection of the vehicle prior to writing comprehensive or collision coverage on a vehicle to record any existing vehicle damage. It appears that your addition of Comp and Collision coverage was either done by phone or over the internet since your agent obviously didn't inspect your Honda, which would have saved both of you a lot of trouble.
In my state, accidents involving a deer are paid under the comprehensive portion of the auto policy. Your state may be different.
If your accident actually occurred "6 days" after your policy was endorsed to add comprehenvie coverage, you really should have no problem in getting your claim resolved. If you feel you are getting the run-around, then a call to your state Department of Insurance may be worth your time.
As far as the phone records, that, to me is going above and beyond the investigation of an auto insurance claim. I, personally, would not turn over my phone records right now.
Did you completely leave the scene of the accident prior to calling the police? Did you go home? I, obviously haven't seen the police report, but if the officer came to the scene, then the report should reflect that you hit a deer or some animal.
The date of your auto policy endorsement and the date of the police report should be sufficient to solve this matter.
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 05:41 pm Post Subject: deer hit the car
my car was hit by deer.i am new to usa.my insurance company did not pay 4 my damage of car.from my pocket i paid.2000$.can i get claim in tax dedution
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 08:40 pm Post Subject:
You apparently did not have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. There are some tax breaks you can take for uncompensated losses, or unreimbursed, but I'm not sure if that applies to autos. You might check with an accountant if you don't get your answer here.
Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 06:23 pm Post Subject:
I am glad I read this thread, I need to check out my policy because I live in deer country. I changed my policy to a company that was advertising through my union, recently found out that they don't cover glass that my old policy did. I check out quite a few things on my policy, I just assume that I have this coverage, I did purchase a gap insurance through my dealership incase of total loss to cover the difference in the loan if the vehicle was a total loss.
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