Got lightly rear ended.

[Murgatroy]

The only time I have dealt with insurance is when the wife's Buick was totaled a few years ago. That was pretty simple for the most part. Their adjuster came and looked at the car, declared it totaled and cut me a check for it minus buy-back because I kept it.

 

This is different. I was sitting at a red light, some kid 'had a brake failure' and slammed into the back of Harmony. She will need a new rear fascia, the rear pan was ripped a good six inches. I honestly don't know how to proceed. I called the police, had them file a report, the kid had insurance, so I can pick up the report on Monday. But as I have never had to have a car repaired at a shop on someone else's dime, I don't know how to proceed.

 

The other thing I am concerned about is diminished value. Now that Carfax will have record of the accident, she is worth several grand less, right? How do I go about claiming that against the other insurance?

 

Honestly, if it hadn't knocked the reflector out and ripped the fascia pretty badly, and she wasn't a new car, I would have just rolled with it. But it did, and she is new, so I am being a dick about the whole thing.

 

Advice and opinions?

 

[sigbrown1297]

Contact the OV insurance company and let them know what happened, if they haven't made contact with you yet.  Let them that you would like to file a diminished value claim as well.  They will probably tell you to take it into one of their repair shops, but you should go to a repair shop of your choice and get a second quote.  Sometimes, they just cut you a check and you can do whatever you want with it and sometimes they will just pick up the repair bill.

 

Good Luck!

[Murgatroy]

I won't be able to pick up the report until Monday, the kid was driving his girlfriend's car and spent at least fifteen minutes trying to convince me that there was no damage to either car. I highly doubt that he will self report to give them the heads up.

[raildog]

Frist call your Insurance company let them know you were in a wreck they can help if the outher guys insurance is giveing you a hard time. Second most insurance company's will give you two options: pay your deductible for uninsured and get it fixed and they deal with the outher guys insurance then refund your deductible after they get payed or deal with the other guys insurance on your own. If you go with the latter once you get the police report it will have his insurance info on it you will call them let them know one of there clients hit you then they will grill you for info then they will send out a ajuster they will look at the car tell you what they think it will take to fix it i suggest that you have a shop picked out to do the repair before hand and meet them there with a quote for what the shop says it needs if there is any thing that is found once it goes in the shop the shop will deal with it as far as getting them to give you difference in value good luck and let me know how that works

[hipower]

I hope it doesn't get sticky here, but since the driver didn't own the car...that could affect the proceedings. You should still be taken care of, but the young lady's insurance company may want to get slow in taking care of it.

 

Get the police report copy, make sure you have names and dl# of both driver and passenger in the car, your policy#, agent, and carrier info.

 

Probably will have to go to vehicle owner to get started on this, but do it. Politely but firmly. Ask for contact info from his/their carrier and contact them asap.

 

And should the idea of "I'll just take care of this out of my pocket, no need to involve insurance come up" decline that offer as well.

[Murgatroy]

I don't even know the kid's name, I was pretty steamed over the whole thing. Sure the car is two years old at this point, but I bought it brand new with less than 5 miles on it, so to me, it still is brand new. The deputy said I can pick the report up on Monday. I will move forward with it then. I was really staying away from the kid and trying to remain calm. Sure he was a moron, but getting angry and screaming at him wouldn't have helped the situation. All of the information will be on the police report when I pick it up.

 

This is all just kinda new to me. The last wreck I was in was so long ago (and it wasn't my fault either) that I don't even remember the process. I know that an adjuster from the other driver's insurance was at my house in a day or two, they paid for a rental for a week (then stiffed me with the bill,) and then made an insulting offer on my wife's low mileage Regal GS. But I can't for the life of me tonight remember how I started the process. Maybe in the morning when I am not as angry I will be able to figure it out.

 

As far as the other car, it was just the kid driving it, he didn't have anyone else in the car. He 'told' me it was his GF's car, same thing he told the responding officer. The cop didn't act like anything was out of the ordinary, took our information and sent us both on our way saying we could pick the report up on Monday.

 

As far as my out of pocket expenses, I won't be paying a thing. After the last time, with the insurance company stiffing me with the rental car bill, and then giving me the run around for nearly six months to reimburse me, I won't pay a single bill or whip my card out anywhere.

[hipower]

I don't even know the kid's name, I was pretty steamed over the whole thing. Sure the car is two years old at this point, but I bought it brand new with less than 5 miles on it, so to me, it still is brand new. The deputy said I can pick the report up on Monday. I will move forward with it then. I was really staying away from the kid and trying to remain calm. Sure he was a moron, but getting angry and screaming at him wouldn't have helped the situation. All of the information will be on the police report when I pick it up.

 

This is all just kinda new to me. The last wreck I was in was so long ago (and it wasn't my fault either) that I don't even remember the process. I know that an adjuster from the other driver's insurance was at my house in a day or two, they paid for a rental for a week (then stiffed me with the bill,) and then made an insulting offer on my wife's low mileage Regal GS. But I can't for the life of me tonight remember how I started the process. Maybe in the morning when I am not as angry I will be able to figure it out.

 

As far as the other car, it was just the kid driving it, he didn't have anyone else in the car. He 'told' me it was his GF's car, same thing he told the responding officer. The cop didn't act like anything was out of the ordinary, took our information and sent us both on our way saying we could pick the report up on Monday.

 

As far as my out of pocket expenses, I won't be paying a thing. After the last time, with the insurance company stiffing me with the rental car bill, and then giving me the run around for nearly six months to reimburse me, I won't pay a single bill or whip my card out anywhere.

 

Okay, I thought I saw girlfriend was there. Getting old and can't read.

 

You did well in controlling yourself. I am surprised the responding officer didn't allow or ask the two of you to exchange information though. I've never not had that happen.

 

I did mean that "out of pocket" comment might come from the other vehicle owner, if it didn't come thru plainly.

[TNWNGR]

Without getting into a really detailed explanation call your insurance agent and tell them what you know as well as provide the case number provided to you so the report can be obtained. It's really on the insurance company to get the report copy and tell you the rest. Unfortunately your not going to get anything for future depreciation of your car due to the car crash. The accident report should have insurance information or lack thereof in its contents.    

[Mike.357]

 

 

The cop didn't act like anything was out of the ordinary, took our information and sent us both on our way saying we could pick the report up on Monday.

 

 

This is the best statement available.  Ordinary stuff.

 

Call your insurance and let them deal with it. That is what you pay them for.

 

Assuming the other cars owner had insurance they will pay.   

 

Take your car to your dealer and tell them what is going on.  They will quote near the exact same price as insurance. Probably the exact same.  They all use the same computer programs that determine costs.

 

Don't stress over it, It is just stuff.  They make more.

 

that said,  I be super pissed.

[Murgatroy]

This is the best statement available.  Ordinary stuff.

 

Call your insurance and let them deal with it. That is what you pay them for.

 

Assuming the other cars owner had insurance they will pay.   

 

Take your car to your dealer and tell them what is going on.  They will quote near the exact same price as insurance. Probably the exact same.  They all use the same computer programs that determine costs.

 

Don't stress over it, It is just stuff.  They make more.

 

that said,  I be super pissed.

Oh, I am pissed, and I get more pissed every time I think about it. But the logical part of my brain wins out anymore and tells me to take a deep breath and be calm and think.

 

I am hesitant to go through my insurance, I mean, if I claim and then pay the deductible will that make my rates go up? That is something I worry about, here in Kentucky I am easily paying double what we paid in Tennessee for insurance, and my wife and I have (had) perfect driving records of quite a while. If just changing states doubled my rates, what would having a claim do to them? I also am pretty adamant about paying for anything out of my own pocket. I didn't do anything wrong. I don't care if I do get reimbursed, I shouldn't have to pay. Period.

 

I suppose that I might change my mind a bit tomorrow when I am calmer. Btu then again I might be even angrier when I see the car in the daylight.

[Murgatroy]

Without getting into a really detailed explanation call your insurance agent and tell them what you know as well as provide the case number provided to you so the report can be obtained. It's really on the insurance company to get the report copy and tell you the rest. Unfortunately your not going to get anything for future depreciation of your car due to the car crash. The accident report should have insurance information or lack thereof in its contents.    

 

This confuses me, not because I don't believe you, but that yesterday my car was valued as X, tomorrow I have it repaired back to perfect and the day after tomorrow I decide to sell it, and it is only worth X/1.3. I didn't do anything wrong, why am I suddenly penalized by my car being worth considerably less than it was two days ago? I have read a few things that state I can be reimbursed, but it will take a significant about of fighting to do so. Apparently most people give up.

 

That just doesn't seem right to me. Where is the justice in all of that? That I should just pay $2k out of my own pocket to offset the fact that a blemish on the car's history drops the value by 25%?

Edited February 28, 2015 by Murgatroy

[DWARREN123]

Contact your insurance asap. Let them know what is going on. Ask at that time about the diminished valve of your vehicle.

[Murgatroy]

Contact your insurance asap. Let them know what is going on. Ask at that time about the diminished valve of your vehicle.

"Umm... Ummm... This is something a Kentucky Specialist will have to answer for you..."

 

I guess that is what I get for calling GEICO at 1am...

[Johnny Rotten]

"Umm... Ummm... This is something a Kentucky Specialist will have to answer for you..."

 

I guess that is what I get for calling GEICO at 1am...

Jake from state farm is on the job!! 

 

I went yesterday to pay my property taxes at the court house, I parked couple spaces from the cross walk as I was approaching my truck I notice a Fin A hole brushed up against my rear bumper and left me a nice green stripe.. 

Got screwed twice yesterday!

[peejman]

What several others have said... Let your insurance agent deal with their insurance agent. That's what you pay them for.

[JPR1959]

I've been through several accidents just like yours.  Like the others have stated, let your insurance company handle the mess.  That is what you pay them for.  Do you know what insurance company the other driver had?  Some cheap companies are really difficult to deal with, which is another reason to let your insurance deal with the mess.  On the depreciation of your car, I know it sucks, but you probably won't get a dime unless you sue.  Maybe you can get a 2015 Mustang while yours is in the shop!!!

[daddyo]

Several years ago I was rear-ended by a state employee driving a state vehicle while she was on state business. The rear bumper was bent before she hit me, and it wasn't that much worse. I took the check and cashed it. The truck drove just fine without the repair.  :pleased:

[Shug]

I'm no expert, From my experience when the insurance picks up the bill it will be reported to "CarFax"  This will in turn lower the value of you car. It will show a accident on the report. Get the insurance to write the check to you. Then pay for the repair like it's out of your pocket or do the repair yourself, then there is nothing to be reported. And you still have a clear "CarFax"

[bud]

. Edited August 6, 2015 by bud

[Mike.357]

your insurance should not go up from you reporting this. GEICO will go after the other guys insurance for you.

It wasn't your fault, assuming the other car was properly insured you are good to go.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Also, be aware the insurance will probably not just give you a check and let you choose to fix it or not unless you own the vehicle without any lienholders.

 

We had some damage that occurred to our vehicle. We told the insurance company that we could live with the damage and would just like to keep the repair costs for ourselves. They said that we did not own the vehicle and that any money given would go to the lien holder. The bank would get the money to live with the damaged vehicle and we would be left with the damaged vehicle if we chose not to repair it.

[Jonnin]

too late now but you should generally copy their DL (take picture or write down name/address/DL#)  and their insurance contact info.

Call the police to get a report. 

 

once you get home etc,

Immediately report it to your own insurance.   They should handle 99% of it from here.  You may be asked to drive around getting estimates, 2-3 tops, usually 2.   That is usually all the "work" you have to do if your insurance is any good, just let them handle it from there.

 

-- it may take weeks to resolve.   The insurance companies bicker at each other for a while to see who eats the bill.  This may be a 3-way mess due to drive, owner, and you all 3 having insurance.   But it should fall on the kids insurance, and his company has to eat it for BOTH cars.

[VERO1]

I would be very surprised if you are able to recover any loss of value from your insurance company. As mentioned before that will probably involve a lawsuit against the other driver.

[eapking]

That's what she said.

[Sam1]

KY has a diminished value law, they have to pay it.  Don't let them jack you around on it because the first thing you will get when you trade that in or sell it is "oh it's been in a wreck" and the price starts dropping.  No one cares how light the damage was, the fact that checkbox is marked knocks the value down.

 

Don't even report it to your insurance.

 

Don't let his insurance company jack you around for a penny, they owe you to fix the vehicle to your standards, not to the shop's.  They owe you for time and trouble of getting the vehicle fixed as well as a rental if you need it while the car is in the shop.

 

You're pretty level-headed and can handle it without needing too much assistance, just remember their claims rep is not there to help you, he is there to pay you as little as you let them get away with.