Last week I was in a car accident. I was sitting at a red light. The light turned green and I proceeded to go through the intersection when a vehicle ran the red light hitting my car. Police arrived at the scene and issued a ticket to the other driver. There were several witnesses that came forward stating the fact that the light was green for me. My insurance totaled my car and will issue me a check for the blue book value. I have heard from the other motorist's insurance company stating that they have talked to one of the witnesses and they agree that I am not at fault. They want me to call them. My insurance company advises me to deal with them and not the other motorist's insurance company. My vehicle was a 2002 Honda Accord LX. With the money that my insurance wants to give me, I am finding it hard to get a replacement vehicle without putting out my own money. I'm thinking about calling the other ins. co. to see what they are going to offer. Any advice would be appreciated.
2006-06-18 02:19:19 · 18 answers · asked by CHRIS 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
It is best to let your insurance company handle it. When they total a car they almost always give you what the car is worth. Don't expect to replace a 2002 model with a brand new car and not pay anything out of your pocket. It just doesn't work that way. The best thing to do is to do a some research so you know the true value of what your car was.
2006-06-18 02:31:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been in the same situation, only I dealt directly with the at-fault driver's insurance company. It is nearly impossible to get more than Blue Book value on the car. Unfortuanately, you are probably going to lose on this one. If I did it over again, I would deal with my insurance company because the other company literally made me cry every time I was on the phone with them (I am not a wimp, but it was already a difficult time, anyway and they are NOT making things easy.) I'd take what they offer you based on Blue Book, though you could try to call and talk with them. For my car, they subtracted a hundred dollars or so for dings in the doors even though the car was totalled, but they wouldn't add value for my brand new, really cool tires. I ended up getting a replacement at not much of a loss, but I had to look hard. Don't sign any medical releases yet! I thought my big problem was property damage and then some of my injuries did not heal! Fortunately, I didn't sign any medical papers and am still dealing with that. Good luck to you!
2006-06-18 02:26:42 · answer #2 · answered by cucumberlarry1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your insurance company that their offer is unacceptable. Insist that they get you more money. It is the duty of an insurance company to make you whole again, so they need to give you enough money to purchase a vehicle of similar specs and value of your old one. You should not end up out of pocket when you are completely innocent. If your agent cannot help you, go over his head. Be firm and insistent.
I would advise against contacting the other insurance company as this may create problems with your own insurance. When you obtain insurance you usually sign away many of your legal rights. If your insurance company thinks that you are going behind their back and weakening their legal position, they could become very difficult to deal with.
2006-06-18 02:28:22 · answer #3 · answered by ZCT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contacting the other insurance company when your company advised you not to could void your insurance contract. Either way you are only going to get what your vehicle was worth. It sounds like you may have to put out your own money. Accidents generally cost the not at fault driver some money. Sorry to hear about your bad luck!
2006-06-19 11:23:21 · answer #4 · answered by jodi M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have dealt with this twice with my Son. "What a headache".
If I we're you I would call a lawyer one of them that gives free consultation. Just tell them your situation and see what they advise. Maybe call two or thee different ones. You don't have to hire them just see what they have to say. You could also tell your insurance company that you are having a hard time trying to replace your car for what they are wanting to give you. One more idea... Find three different cars that was like yours that are for sale, They may be at different lots or what ever. Get in writing what they are asking for each one. Hoping that each one is more then your insurance is giving you. Show these quotes to your insurance company and force them to give you what your car is worth... ( I did that with my insurance co and they gave me more ) Bless your heart - I do wish you the best of luck...Dealing with the insurance company's I think is worse then the wrecks.
2006-06-18 02:39:30 · answer #5 · answered by Jean f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i have a solution, call a attorney and sue the other driver and his insurance for a new car and any injuries etc. the only way you will get anywhere with an insurance company is to do so. don't talk to the other guys insurance co. because it only takes a slip of one word from you and you can lose everything. and make sure that the lawyer will get his pay from the other guys insurance too, it wasn't your fault so you shouldn't need to pay anything.
2006-06-18 02:28:25 · answer #6 · answered by harmonyandericjrburns 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would seek professional help they are better at dealing with issues like this. They might be able to find a better way of handling the whole situation. Insurance companies are only looking out for their own interest and not what is best for you in the long run.
2006-06-18 02:28:24 · answer #7 · answered by Sander 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always talk to the person who is at faults insurance, a lot of time they want to resolve the issue to there best ability, you may even find they will give you a good will value to the loss, cover the difference in the repalcemant, or may give you replacement value at current rates, to avoid court cases, you never know until you talk, always throw in unforseen future medical, even though you may not be hurt younever know what may surface later on in life as a direct result. If they are already accepting fault it is a go to at least talk to them. Your insurance company has made their offer now listen to the counter offer, won;t hurt to listen.
2006-06-18 06:43:29 · answer #8 · answered by five_o_patrol 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go threw your Insurance company only. When you get your new insurance make sure you have it were if you have a loan on it have more coverage. Than if it happens again it will pay 100% Not book value.
Anyway if you already was issue a check it's over with.
2006-06-18 02:35:26 · answer #9 · answered by James H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insurance companies are not out to help you. Whether it be yours or theirs, they are there to pay out as little as possible to you. Despite the word, "insurance", their job is not to take care of you. Sorry for the bad news (I worked in various types of insurance for several years).
Unfortunately, if you want to get what you're really due, you need to get bonafide legal advice. If you have pre-paid legal through your company, they can probably help in this kind of a situation. The attorney should contact the other insurance company - not you. Insurance companies have a way of trying to get you to agree to accepting a lot less than you rightfully deserve. Once you accept their offer officially, you have no recourse.
The attorney is the only way to go.
2006-06-18 02:26:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋