by muttmommie » Thu Sep 02, 2010 06:47 pm
No one answered door, so I left a note on the car with my info. Never heard from the neighbor, but the car disappeared after a couple of days (they have 5 other cars). A note on my door last night revealed that they sold the car and lost $300 on the sale due to the damage. They attached a repair estimate for $1000, but only seek $300. I don't mind paying for the damage, but they did not give me an opportunity to file the claim, in which case I would not have to pay out of pocket. Is this suspicious?
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 02:32 am Post Subject:
Also, my note was not addressed to anyone in particular....so how do I know the Buyer won't try to file some kind of claim against me too? I don't really know that the car was sold at all....that's just what they've told me. For all I know, they gave it to a relative while they file an uninsured motorist claim on their own policy (if they even had one). As I said, the family member that left me the note last night is employed by an auto insurance agency....I discovered that simply by googling the name on the note. I didn't know their names before then.
Also, your statement that I can file a claim for repairs to my vehicle is incorrect since, obviously, I would have to meet the deductible - so I am still out of pocket for both vehicles.
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 02:35 am Post Subject:
MaxHerr...our posts hit at the same time, so I hadn't yet seen yours. Your statement about California is very interesting. I live in Texas, but my neighbors moved here from LA. (Watts)
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 02:58 am Post Subject:
Plenty of insurance fraud in Texas, too.
If you even suspect the potential for fraud, report it to your insurance company. They are supposed to investigate, and if they find any evidence that could support the possibility, then they have to notify the state Dept of Insurance, which will definitely investigate.
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 03:13 am Post Subject:
maybe i missed the point, my apologies. so lets assume they are trying to commit fraud and they are risking jail for $300. youre still on the hook becuase you caused the damage their vehicle and left a note in your handwriting admitting it. so do you want to settle for $300 so that it goes away...or continue to play detective and speculate? i assumed you wanted to settle the damage you caused.
max, im with you on the fruad, there is a lot out there. especially in CA. maybe there is more to this, but without a full blown investigation, statements, pulling the guys personal info to see if he has multiple claims filed in the past, its simply speculation. and in my experience, usually the person commiting fraud initiated the incident...dont forget, she hit him...but hey ive been wrong before. my advice is based what i would do. I'd pay the $300, thankful im not paying $1000, and be able to smile and wave at my neighbor when i pull in.
im standing by my correct statement, you can still file the claim. your insurance company will defend and pay the liability claim requested by your neighbor. (and investigate fraud if the feel something is awry) There is no deductible for liability. no out of pocket there. yes you would be out of pocket for damage to your car as that would fall under the collision portion of your policy and subject to deductible, but hey, cant really complain there...you were at fault and caused the damage to your car too. i cant see being upset becuase you are out of pocket for damage you caused...it really sucks, dont get me wrong, im sorry it happend to you...but what are you expecting to happen here?
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 03:32 am Post Subject:
i know you are concerned about the shiftness, but i guess based on what you have provided, you should be more concerned about the damage you owe. you ask why would someone take $300 for a $1000 estimate?
my thought is this...its a 1996 car, probably has a few other dents and dings and it was minor enought to live with it and the $300 was a good deal to him. also, you know how hard it is to match paint on an old car? the doors would look great w/ new clear coat, but the fenders and quarter panels would look faded...simply put the little dent may look better than a two tone shine.
let me suggest talking with your neighbor and expressing your concerns. you can even see if he will provide a sales agreement or some proof he sold the car. let him know you want to make sure you are only responsible for paying for the damage once. draw up a simple agreement and have him sign it.
He's an insurance agent? Max, would you risk your career and licenses for $300? $10,000? doubtful.
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 09:32 pm Post Subject:
Max, would you risk your career and licenses for $300? $10,000? doubtful.
No, I wouldn't risk it for $1,000,000.
But there are plenty of agents who have done similar things. Visit the CA Dept of Insurance website -- www.insurance.ca.gov -- click on the "News" link, then check out the press releases and see what agents here have done to lose their licenses in the past year or so. Things like collect premiums and not place business, and much, much worse. In one of my file boxes somewhere in my storage unit, I have a nice collection of these fraud press releases going back to at least 1999 or 2000. They're fun to read to students on occasion.
Listen, people commit insurance fraud every day of the year. Some for a few thousand dollars, some for a few million, and some for just a few hundred. Insurance fraud in California is about a $20 billion annual event -- auto #1, Workers' Comp #2, medical/Medicare/Medicaid #3 -- except for a few years ago when the state uncovered a $39 million medical insurance fraud, which elevated the category to #2 for the year.
I'm not saying any fraud is being committed here in the OP's situation. But anything is possible. People get estimates for damages and do stupid things like add a $1 before the first number, or change a $1 to a $4 and try to collect an extra $300 or $3000.
The whole situation, as reported, strikes me as odd, so I would not dismiss the potential for fraud. And I could be 100% wrong, too.
Just pointing out the possibilities, that's all.
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:34 am Post Subject: Nice Responses
These are really nice responses that folks here are offering. Anyway, I just joined this forum and thought it'd be nice to commend what others are already doing. Preparing to make a really informative post on auto insurance quotes later.
Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 01:18 am Post Subject:
valid point Max, unfortunatley its the nature of the business sometimes. as with everything, dot your i's and dot your t's...
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 08:13 am Post Subject:
The neighbor sounds a little bit fishy to say the least.
Ridiculous Name. Ridiculous Savings On Your Insurance.
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Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 07:33 pm Post Subject: letter
I was involved in an accident where I was backing out of a parking stall, when I started backing out my left (driver side) was clear so I proceeded out of the stall all a long looking to my left as there was a van parked so I could not see around it. As I pull out I hit a car trying to pass by me. I admit no wrong doing however to prevent it from being reported to my insurance I said I would pay for the other drives damages. I need to type a letter releasing me from futher moneies being requested.
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