by Guest » Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:24 pm
husband was rearended by a mini van. The person driving had no license and no insurance. Car was not damaged badly and the insurance adjuster will look at it. My question is if the damage is worth less than our deductible can we choose just not to get it fixed by our insurance?
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:27 am Post Subject:
Well, I don't see any reason why we can't pay for our own damages. I don't think your agreement with your insurer has any clause stating that you'd need to fix all your damages through them. If I'm capable of paying it out-of-pocket then why not! After all, you weren't at fault and the damages seem far too less to file a claim. Let the adjuster come..
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:33 am Post Subject:
Hey Rod, it's nice to have you online!
@ concerned wife
Car was not damaged badly and the insurance adjuster will look at it.
Let your adjuster come first. I've witnessed quite a few accidents wherein the internal damages were not quite visible from outside.
Get your car checked by a professional. Just like you don't hurry while accepting a settlement, you also don't need to hurry while deciding whether or not you should file a claim.
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:34 am Post Subject:
and the insurance adjuster will look at it.
I'm sure the Insurance adjuster would know this. On the other hand, you COULD have alot of 'internal' damage (bent frame, etc.). Obviously..I don't know. When the adjuster looks at the car, you'll have a better 'view' about the damages.Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 06:42 pm Post Subject:
My question is if the damage is worth less than our deductible can we choose just not to get it fixed by our insurance?
yes of course.Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 07:55 pm Post Subject:
Car was not damaged badly and the insurance adjuster will look at it.
Not badly damaged but in todays world it's not unlikely that the plastic bumper will need to be replaced. If so, you are probably looking at $600-$1000 for the repairs.Even if under your deductible and even if you don't feel like having it repaired, you need to follow up with the state and have your damages attached to this person's drivers license. That is, many states will suspend the person's drivers license until they can show that they paid for the damage that they caused. If you let this person walk away from this then what happened to you will happen to someone else. Perhaps they won't be so lucky as to have minor damage. So it's not just your loss that we are talking about.
If the person received a citation for no insurance he will need to go to court. You need to go as well and show the judge the appraisal that you get from your insurance company. Ask the judge to force the other person to pay you back... or your insurance company.
As an adjuster handling my own subrogation I'd contact the other person and ask for payment. I could either cut a deal with them for a reduced all in one payment or set them up on a payment plan. The plan was a deal for them ... as long as they made the monthly payment there was no interest added into the bill. If the person was nice (almost everyone was) I'd just have them pick an amount to pay and let them know that they needed to make each and every payment on time.. no big deal. If they did not return my calls I simply refereed their claim to a collection company.
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 08:44 am Post Subject:
you need to follow up with the state and have your damages attached to this person's drivers license. That is, many states will suspend the person's drivers license until they can show that they paid for the damage that they caused.
I didn't know that!! WOW!! Learn something new everyday!! :) When I was in MY accident (a few years ago) the woman, who rear-ended me, didn't have a valid DL's. The accident was in PA.Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:46 pm Post Subject:
Financial responsibility laws. A drivers license is a privilege, not a right.
Add your comment