by starspecks » Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:56 am
On a two lane road with no separate turning lane a vehicle in front of me was in the left lane at a complete stop with their left blinker on to make a left. I was behind this vehicle also at a complete stop with my left blinker on. A car behind me did not notice us and rear ended my vehicle going 35 to 40mph (the posted speed limit is 35). I was able to hit my brakes in time to avoid touching the car in front of me. I have a financed vehicle with bodily/injury/uninsured/underinsured/gap but no comp/collision. The officer did not cite a ticket to anyone and simply filled out "driver exchange of information" The other vehicle was damaged to the point of needing a tow. My vehicle is crunched in the back and the bumper fell off and is making all sorts of crazy noises and I also had my child's car seat in the back seat. So my insurance company has informed me that since I do not have comp/collision I need to contact the other driver's insurance company (allstate) and file a claim with them. I am very nervous to call and do this without having a clue as to what I am doing and I want to make sure I get the damage repaired. Please advise me with what I should do since my insurance company is failing to help me!
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 02:36 pm Post Subject:
Your insurance company can't do much in this case since you don't have comp/collision coverage. I'd suggest that you go ahead and contact the other party's insurance company to file your claim. You have a copy of the 'driver exchange of information' form filled out by the officer on site to back up your claim. There isn't anything to be scared of.
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 08:43 pm Post Subject:
Should I get my own mechanic to check out my vehicle for an estimate before I contact their claims adjuster to come out?
Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 09:23 am Post Subject:
The best thing to do would be to call your own mechanic and have him go over the damages to come up with a repair cost estimate. It'd also be a good idea to get in touch with an independent claims adjuster and ask him to make an estimate as well. Both the estimates taken together should give you a very clear idea as to how much you can expect to be paid by the other party's insurance company. It would also give you an edge when negotiating with the company's claims adjuster.
Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:52 am Post Subject:
Ok well the insurance company sent me to a certified mechanic of their own which is guaranteed for time I own the vehicle. They paid for a rental car and are reimbursing me for the new carseat. Now the bigger issue (besides PI) they should be responsible for the time, hassle and DEPRECIATION of my 2012 vehicle with an accident on it's record now. Are these reasonable requests to an adjuster?
Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:36 pm Post Subject:
I have a financed vehicle with bodily/injury/uninsured/underinsured/gap but no comp/collision. . . . Please advise me with what I should do since my insurance company is failing to help me!
How did your lender even allow you to drive the vehicle without collision coverage to protect its interest?
Now the bigger issue (besides PI) they should be responsible for the time, hassle and DEPRECIATION of my 2012 vehicle with an accident on it's record now. Are these reasonable requests to an adjuster?
It's called "diminished value" and you can be compensated for the difference between the value of an undamaged vehicle and the value of yours following the collision. Talk to the insurance company adjuster that's handling your claim.
Now, the really BIG issue . . . what would you do if YOU caused a collision like this when it comes to paying your lender for the value of the vehicle if it's totaled?
Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 03:09 pm Post Subject:
What you can do is very politely negotiate with the adjustor on the issues at hand. If he deems it necessary he might give you an ‘Appearance Allowance’ and/or a supplemental payment to cover the minor losses. There are no guarantees though. As for the depreciation or diminished value claim, it would have been easier if your own insurance company was handling the claim and negotiating with the other party’s insurance company directly. Since that is out of the question, the only other thing you can do (except for negotiating the diminished value claim by yourself) is consider roping in your lienholder into the negotiation process since heshe has vested financial interest in the value of your car.
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