Another Car Insurance Claim Question

[HaleyB]

Short and sweet- I was rear ended by a guy with Statefarm insurance. Statefarm told me they would not pay any medical claims until they were reviewed. Nothing upfront, I have to pay oop and then bill them? Is this normal? What do people with injuries do if they can't afford to pay and then wait to see 'if' insurance will pay out on it?

 

[kellyg403]

My neighbor had the same situation! She did end up having to get a lawyer to even get reimbursed for the car rental. I do know that when my son was in an accident the emergancy room did ask us if it was related to an accident at work/auto for the forms. I would let your doctor know that it is related to a rear end collision. Definitely go to the dr. regardless. I was in a rear end collision in 1989. I ended up having a neck injury that I didn't know that I had until a few months later. Just starting hurting out of the blue. Now, every now and again my neck starts acting up. The other party's insurance company even called me to ask if I was hurt and I said no, I was fine. Now I wish I had gone to the dr then!


Kelly

 

[dreams91]

Short and sweet- I was rear ended by a guy with Statefarm insurance. Statefarm told me they would not pay any medical claims until they were reviewed. Nothing upfront, I have to pay oop and then bill them? Is this normal? What do people with injuries do if they can't afford to pay and then wait to see 'if' insurance will pay out on it?

Scare tactics. I think they initially are required to pay. Maybe tell them you are looking at getting an attorney and I bet they change their mind real fast.

 

[barkley]

call your own insurance (car) company-if you have med pay they can promugate the claim. you pay the deductable, you company does all the repairs and pays the med bills. your insurance company negotiates all but the personal injury issues for you at no charge (and once they get paid back for their oop you get your deductable refunded).

 

[my3kids]

I was recently hit by someone with State Farm also. I was not hurt but they did ask me if I was. I wish I could comment on that part for you. I would call my own insurance agent to ask about the medical rules. They should be be able to help you out.

As far as getting my car fixed, State Farm was wonderful! The place I wanted to have it repaired was on their 'list." I made the appointment with the shop, they arranged a rental car comparable to my car, and I never saw a bill at all. If the facility is on the 'list,' then they work with State Farm on billing for rental and repair and you will not have to do anything.

 

[Belle1962]

Hey--I was rear-ended by a State Farm insured person in April----must be a pre-requsite to get on with them.

Anyway--they told me the same thing--will not discuss, look at, etc any medical until I am THROUGH treatment (which I am still in). My insurance company paid the first $10,000. using my medpay but now I am out there "on my own". I hired a lawyer--I had medical bills going to collection agencies. Most provders realize it's third party but I have one that won't even acknowledge it's an auto accident--hence, they sent my account to collections. I hated hiring them but I want someone to run interference between State Farm, the collection agencies and me.

You may also want to try your state insurance commissioner's office to ask questions. My insurance didn't want to pay my time missed from the work--they insisted I had to use any vacation or sick time my employer provides. I didn't think that was fair--I have to use MY time for an accident that wasn't my fault and then have no time left for my personal use? Anyway, after I let them know I had called the insurance commissioner and the caseworker assigned to me wanted them to fax her the EXACT page and section in my policy which states that--they relented and agreed to 'just this time" pay me.

 

[Belle1962]

Scare tactics. I think they initially are required to pay. Maybe tell them you are looking at getting an attorney and I bet they change their mind real fast.

I tried "reasoning" with them. I said "Look--I have column A--time I missed from work and column B--medical bills. You owe me column C. If I have to hire a lwayer he will add Column D--things I didn't think of--like my DGS car seat, mileage, etc and Column E--that ever vague loss of life integrity/pain and suffering/lifestyle change etc and Column F will equal a LOT more than Column C ever would have. So why not just settle for Column C?" Nope--State Farm didn't even want to discuss it. They wanted me to send NOTHING until everything is complete.

 

[seashoreCM]

Notify the driver (and also the car owner if a different person) you will be suing them personally. Then sue them personally.

The insurance company has no obligation to you, just to him (them). Because the insurance company has to defend them and pay any judgment rendered against them up to the limits of the policy (and do no more), the insurance company is going to perk up its head quickly when the other driver (and/or car owner) notifies said insurance company.

It is true that during the time a lawsuit is going on, if the insurance company decides not to be prudent and pay sooner, you won't see any money. The insurance company has the right to review medical bills but unlike an HMO the insuranc e company may not demand that you see only their choice of doctor or car repair shop and it is the insurance company's need to prove that any surgery was unnecessary.

If your car was totalled you should insist that the value is the retail value.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[CarolA]

In my case, my health insurance carrier paid and then dealt with the car insurance company....

 

[safetymom]

I just recently was in an accident. I have State Farm and he had All State. He was 100% at fault. Here in FL State Farm has to pay the medical and Allstate pays the rest.

State Farm is a great company to deal with.

 

[wannabee]

Insurance varies so much state to state. Contact your state department of insurance with any specific questions .

I am claims adjuster in Louisiana and medical bills, wages etc are only paid when the party is ready to settle. People often use their own insurance for medical bills while their claim is pending.

 

[CleveRocks]

This bears repeating:

Insurance varies so much state to state. Contact your state department of insurance with any specific questions.

EXACTLY!!! With auto insurance, there's no such thing as common sense or a specific national company's policy. NO ONE ON THIS BOARD CAN HELP YOU UNLESS THEY KNOW THE SPECIFIC INSURANCE LAWS OF YOUR STATE. I treat a lot of people involved in motor vehicle accidents, and have to deal with insurance from two different states, and believe me even with the same company, it can be like night and day depending on which side of the river the person is from.

Good luck, and I hope all goes well.

-- Eric