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Tracer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:27 PM
Original message
Car Accident question.
I'd never before been hit by another car until 2 weeks ago when Ñ while stopped Ñ the driver in front of me suddenly backed up (obviously without looking) and crashed into the front of my car.

His insurance company sent me to THEIR appraisal outfit and they totted up the damage as $1, 259.95.

Today I received a check for $629.98 Ñ precisely HALF of what their appraiser had estimated.

Before I go calling the insurance agent, give me a clue as to why they would have done that. Do they think that it was HALF my fault (for being in the way of their insured's car?)
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billybob537 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:29 PM
Response to Original message
1. Probably
they want you to fix the damadge before they will pay the rest. But call them and get their story.
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jedicord Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:30 PM
Response to Reply #1
5. You don't have to fix the car, unless you're using your insurance company.
They should pay 100%, no matter what.
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jedicord Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:30 PM
Response to Original message
2. Must have been a mistake...
I'm an expert into people backing into me while stopped. I think I have a sign on my front bumper that says "Hit Me!".

His insurance company should pay you 100% of the appraisal (I'm assuming you're taking the money instead of getting your car fixed).

Call them NOW!
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cheezus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:30 PM
Response to Original message
3. they're just trying to screw you
if even 10% of people don't contest it, they're making off with $millions
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nothingshocksmeanymore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:30 PM
Response to Original message
4. Are you in a no fault state?
I would simply call them and ask..then post their response.
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slackmaster Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:32 PM
Response to Original message
6. State laws vary greatly
Edited on Wed Aug-11-04 03:33 PM by slackmaster
Call the company first, and if you aren't satisfied with the answer get a consultation with an attorney in your area who deals with insurance claims. They may be trying to jack you around. I have no idea what MA law says, but if that happened to me in CA I'd be on the phone with my lawyer in a heartbeat.
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TX-RAT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:34 PM
Response to Original message
7. Don't cash that check ,yet.
Call the insurance company first, ask about the difference.
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radwriter0555 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:34 PM
Response to Original message
8. Don't YOU have an insurance policy?
And if so, why haven't you called them?
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Worst Username Ever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:36 PM
Response to Original message
9. Do you have a deductable that was subtracted from the total?
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yellowcanine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:42 PM
Response to Reply #9
12. There is no deductible when it is the other guy's fault.
.
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Worst Username Ever Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:46 PM
Response to Reply #12
14. Correct, but it appears that we do not know how they determined fault,
as the post suggests. If the deductable amount is close to the amount that the poster was shorted, we can determine what the insurance co was thinking, whether they were in error or not.
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Frodo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:37 PM
Response to Original message
10. Call YOUR insurance company
They don't have to pay the claim since it's his fault, but there is STILL a service they owe you for your premiums. They're supposed to represent your interests in the claim process.
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Tracer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:44 PM
Response to Reply #10
13. I had to cancel the collision part of my insurance because ...
... I got my first speeding ticket in 25 years and that jacked up my rate by $600 (each year for 7 years).

I work at home, my car sits in the driveway, it's a 1995, I'm a careful driver Ñ so I took the chance of having no collision.

However, since this accident was 100% the other guy's fault, why shouldn't HIS insurance pay for the whole thing?
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Frodo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #13
15. They SHOULD. It's just that now YOU have to fight them.
In the other alternative your agent would be fighting FOR you.

But I wouldn't pay $600/yr for it. Frankly, I can't figure out how one ticket drove your price up that much.
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yellowcanine Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-11-04 03:41 PM
Response to Original message
11. Call them and tell them that your neck has been hurting since the accident
That should get their attention.
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