Bummed..My car got hit today..

[KimRaye]

It was my first ever car accident. Well technically, everyone says I didn't have the accident, the guy who hit me did...but it sure feels like I was IN an accident. And, get this, in the school parking lot of ALL places! Thank God, it was my car he hit and, not one of the kids. While backing up, he missed seeing my big, blue, Dodge Caravan! I saw him just as I was about to pull away but, it was too late! Crunch. The van turned 1yo last month.

Now, I get my first experience with the claims process. He has the same insurance as I do, Allstate. Anyone know if that makes things easier? So far, I have to wait 10 days for an appointment for the claim adjuster to examine the car. Doesn't sound easier to me. And, I'm pretty sure they don't often recommend that the Dealer do the work so, I'll be having the work done at one of 'their' places. UGH!!

 

[Serena]

Oh man! I'm sorry.

 

[Granny]

KimRaye...I wouldn't sweat it too much. AllState should be able to get this one figured out pretty quickly.

We've had a couple of accidents and always had a dealer do the body work. Usually they are on the insurance company's approved list and they'll work directly with the dealer.

Just glad it was just a car that was hit and no injuries. Not that I'm downplaying the hassle of having a banged up car, but if he's got insurance....well, look at it this way. You've been paying those premiums so now you finally get some good out of your car insurance!

Good luck!

 

[ahutton]

Once upon a time I was an Allstate adjuster. You may be surprised that several of the PROshops are actually dealers, and often there is one of each manufacturer in the area, it just may not be the exact one you usually go to. The best thing about PROshops is the written guaranty you get, it is for as long as you own the car, and it doesn't matter if you move to another state. I helped a person in Texas who had moved from another state and had problem with work that had been done several years earlier. They arranged for the repairs to be resolved and gave the person a replacement car while the work was done. No questions asked beyond the shop looking at the work and saying yes it is related to the original claim. Best wishes on quick and painless van repairs.

 

[helenabear]

Oh Kim, I am so sorry to hear this After going through that twice this year with Luis' car, I feel your pain. I will say that 10 days is a very long time to wait!!! Last time we had to wait that long (well, it was 2 weeks almost and Luis' car was 100% NOT drivable) we decided to drop our insurance and sure enough we just signed up with a new one. Anyway.... I just hope your car is at least drivable as you are waiting. I don't know how Allstate works so I can't help you, but I just hope you get fair treatment though all of this. And I am sorry that your new baby (1 year is new to me) was hurt. Good luck!

 

[WillyJ]

What a drag Kim!! But thank goodness you weren't injured. .

Depending on your policy, they'll probably want you to get 2 or 3 different estimates and then just cut you a check for what it'll cost to get it fixed. . . if you can get it done some place cheaper, then you can pocket the difference. . on the other hand if you want done at a certain place you can pay the difference yourself. .

They might also through in the price of a rental-car you can use while it's being repaired- it's worth asking about. .

Good luck with it, and I'm sorry that happened to ya!

 

[December99]

Yikes girl - you are right - thank goodness it wasn't a kid or one of your own!!!!!! When I had my accident a few years ago (well now about 6 I think) I was able to choose where I wanted to go - I just had to get a couple of different estimates first. But I agree - 10 days is a long time!!!!! Hope they get there sooner for ya!

 

[Saffron]

That is a bummer Kim!

I'm glad to hear you're okay though!

 

[jfulcer]

KimRaye... Glad to hear you are ok! As for claims...

10 days seems like a long time. Are they giving you a loaner in the meantime? When I had my accident down in chicago, this is how things happened:

Had the Accident (Dad came down and picked us up and drove us back)

I called the insurance company and that next day they had a loaner for us.

The day after that, they had their adjuster look at it - I had it towed right to a dealership. (I would insist the work get done at a dealer - after all it's only a year old)

10 days later the van was repaired - it took that long because of parts ordering and the fact they had to argue with the insurance company over the bumper. (huh? The insurance company said I could use an aftermarket bumper but the texture was different and would not match the rest of the car, so they grudgingly used the dealer's bumper.)

Stay on top of the dealership while the work is being done - a couple times I called to find out how things were going and they were waiting for a call back from the adjuster. 30 seconds later I had the adjuster on the phone answering their question....

good luck!

 

[KimRaye]

Thanks for all the QUICK claim info everyone and, the Allstate info as well! Big help for me!!

Question tho: If I'm gonna be told to get 2-3 estimates, why didn't they tell me to start doing that now? And, why go see their adjuster if they're just gonna let me decide? I'm glad to hear that dealer work can be done, tho!

I'm also glad my van is garage kept. I'd hate for the rain to start doing ugly things to the dent/crease/missing paint/molding while I wait.

Thanks again everyone! It could've been a LOT worse, given the location of the accident.

 

[lulubelle]

I am so sorry to hear about your accident.
I, too, was hit in the Costco parking lot today A woman backed out into the drivers side of my Caddy. The damage isn't tooo bad since she was only going about 5 mph.
I called my insurance company (Mercury) when I got home and the adjuster called me back 3 hours later and I have an appointment to get an estimate at a body shop 5 minutes from my house tomorrow. Ten days seems ridiculous to me. As the others have said, thank goodness no one was hurt Good Luck.

 

[Nutsy]

Hey mate

Not good news I read here Sorry to hear about your disagreement with another car Hope you & your car are ok

I can't help you with any advice for obvious reasons, but moral support I can

Lots of good thoughts & well wishes from your Down Under mates for a quick fix to your beloved baby & hoping you are doing ok

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by lulubelle
I, too, was hit in the Costco parking lot today A woman backed out into the drivers side of my Caddy. The damage isn't tooo bad since she was only going about 5 mph.

{{HUGS}} lulubelle! I know how you feel! I wish my insurance company was as good as yours!

 

[jamsmom]

No advice, but {{{HUGS}}} - glad you are okay.

 

[lulubelle]

I am so sorry to hear about your accident.
I, too, was hit in the Costco parking lot today A woman backed out into the drivers side of my Caddy. The damage isn't tooo bad since she was only going about 5 mph.
I called my insurance company (Mercury) when I got home and the adjuster called me back 3 hours later and I have an appointment to get an estimate at a body shop 5 minutes from my house tomorrow. Ten days seems ridiculous to me. As the others have said, thank goodness no one was hurt Good Luck.