Insurance/Accident ?

[buzzlady]

If we only have liability on our car, should our insurance company still represent us?

DH spoke to other driver's ins co and they don't even have a copy of the police report - 2 weeks after accident. Even w/o the police report they are not claiming full responsibility.

 

[bicker]

If you only have liability insurance on your car, your insurance company will represent you in suits where the other party is seeking money from you. They won't represent you with regard to what that other party might owe you for your damages.

 

[tvguy]

If you only have liability insurance on your car, your insurance company will represent you in suits where the other party is seeking money from you. They won't represent you with regard to what that other party might owe you for your damages.

They should represent you, at least they do in California and or if you have Allstate. I got hit by a drunk driver in a car I only had liablity insurance on. Allstate dealt directly with the other insurance company (Farmers), I did have to take my car to Farmers for an appraisel, but Allstate did all the negotiating, and the settlement check was sent to Allstate and they forwarded it to the repair shop.

 

[bicker]

That would be very nice of them, but why do you think that they should do that? It isn't part of what you're paying for, last I checked.

 

[buzzlady]

They should represent you, at least they do in California and or if you have Allstate. I got hit by a drunk driver in a car I only had liablity insurance on. Allstate dealt directly with the other insurance company (Farmers), I did have to take my car to Farmers for an appraisel, but Allstate did all the negotiating, and the settlement check was sent to Allstate and they forwarded it to the repair shop.

We DO have Allstate. The woman from Allstate that was handling the claim is on vacation. The auto body place wants to know what we are doing with the car - just all a PIA.

 

[tvguy]

That would be very nice of them, but why do you think that they should do that? It isn't part of what you're paying for, last I checked.

Well, I pay premiums for coverage AND service. I've been with Allstate since 1975 on my cars, and since 1983 on my house. They have always handled everything, estimates, coordinate with the other party's insurance carrier. The claims rep says they were under orders to settle legitimate claims, and incidents where their customers were the victims as quickly as possible. At least in California, insurance companies are ranked by how quickly they settle claims and incidents.

 

[bicker]

That's so nice.

 

[jenrose66]

Yes your insurance company should represent you. That is what you pay them for, they are there to advocate for you. Especially if the other company won't accept full responsibility. That means they may expect you to pay for some of the damage for the other person's vehicle which means they will probably contact your insurance anyway. You should call them asap. Insurance is confusing and incredible annoying, I just recently stopped working in claims so I've heard it all.

 

[golfgal]

That depends--who is at fault for the accident and what is the damage? If you were in a single car accident, no, they have no responsibility to represent you in anything if you only have liability coverage--that coverage is to protect OTHER drivers, not you. If you were at fault, they should pay the damage to any other cars up to the limits of the policy but won't pay anything for YOUR car since you are not paying for that coverage.

More details are needed to really answer this question.

As far as the police report, some police departments move slowly on these things, some police departments will only release the report to the involved parties. If you call the police department that handled the accident and ask for a copy to be sent to you, it will come faster.