I need car insurance claim help. (long)

[shelle94]

On Weds. Sept 18 my car was hit while parked on the street outside my apartment. I was at work at the time. (I walk to work). The driver's side mirror was pulled from the car and was hanging by the wires. Also,as the mirror came off the car the corner of it pushed into the windshield. The girl that hit it stopped and talked to my boyfriend. He has never been in an accident before and didn't know what kind of information to get from the driver. So, she left her name and phone number. I finally got an answer at that number on Friday morning. It was the girl's mother that answered the phone. To sum up the call, it was the mom's car and insurance, the daughter didn't even tell the mother she was in an accident and boy was she mad. I was just calling to get her insurance information so I could get the paperwork started. She flipped out and was very rude on the phone. The lady would not even give me her name. In between the yelling and screaming she did let it slip which insurance company she goes through. I asked her if she would like my name and number to call me back after she speaks with her daughter and she hung up on me. LOL. About an hour later she called me back ( must be she has caller ID because I didn't get a chance to give her my number). She was very nice on the phone this time. She wanted me to get an estimate, which I already had an appointment to do that day, and let her know the amount. If it wasn't a whole lot she would pay me cash. I didn't think it would turn out that way, but I told her I would let her know the amount and we could take it from there. After getting the estimate I tried to call her and no answer. I tried calling all weekend and no answer. She doesn't even have an answering machine. First thing Monday morning I went to my insurance agent and started a claim. They recommended just going through her insurance company so I would not have to pay my deductible. I gave them what little information I had about the woman. I also set up an appointment to see their insurance adjuster so he could see the damage. When I went to that appointment I brought my estimate with me. He told me he thinks there is a typo on the estimate because it could not possibly be that much, and he couldn't cut me a check anyway because that woman would not answer the phone. He has no idea how long it will be before I can get my car fixed. I can't believe this. My parked car was hit and I can't even get it fixed because some woman will not answer the phone? If I hit someone's car I would not leave them hanging like this. How rude. When I called someone else at her insurance company they told me it could be a long process if they cannot communicate with her. So I have two questions. Should I start a claim through my insurance even though it will show up as an accident on my policy and I will have to pay the deductible? And am I being taken advantage of by the adjuster? He thinks there is a $1000 mistake on the estimate and the estimate he put together includes recycled parts. Can they make me get recycled parts? Thanks in advance. If you can't tell I have never been in an accident before. What a mess.

 

[Aprille]

If you are getting no cooperation through her insurance and she is not accepting phone calls, I would go through your insurance company. They will go after her insurance company. That's what you're paying them for. It may cost you more in the long run but, unfortunately -- them's the breaks. You're lucky your BF got a name and phone number. Sounds like it could have very easily been a hit and run.

Good luck!

 

[tar heel]

Given that the other party hasn't been cooperative, you might want to do a police report also.

Recycled or nonfactory parts? Lots of insurance policies allow repairs with parts that aren't necessarily the ones from that particular car maker.

Also, their adjuster may be playing a little game with you. My dh had an accident a few years ago that was very clearly the other person's fault, and their insurance (State Farm) was difficult at the beginning. They also took long enough to settle that the hospital sent the bill to collections. Our insurance, on the other hand, was wonderful. They paid for the totalled car and assured us that they would be getting the money from the other company.

Unless you get a conviction or the insurance company deems you to be at fault, an accident does not affect your insurance. So, this should not be an issue.

 

[kerrynic78]

Hi- I am a claims adjuster so hopefully I can help a little but it seems like all of the previous posters have given you perfect advice! Unfortunately if you go through the adverse carrier, there is no way that they can cut you a check without first speaking with their insured, it is such a pain but we are told absolutely under no circumstances can we make payment, authorize a rental etc to a claimant without first speaking with our insured so that we can determine liability even if it is clear cut. Your best bet is to go through your own carrier, yes you have to pay your deductible but your carrier will subrogate against the other carrier and get your deductible back for you. Like the previous poster said, this will not affect your premium if you are not found to be liable which in this case you are not. Using recycled parts is a very very common practice, unless you have a brand new car, chances are that we are going to use recycled parts (or LKQ parts) which means they are the same like, kind and quality as your original parts. This is due to the fact that we can only put you in the position you were in before the accident, if we give you new parts we are bettering your position. One other thing that you can look into is a deductible waiver, I work in commercial auto so I am not sure if personal auto policies have this, but it is an endorsment that is on a policy that basically states if your car was parked and hit, your insurance company will not charge you your deductible. Like I said, it is just something to look into. I hope that I have not gone and completely confused you, if you have any questions let me know.