I got rear-ended, my 3 months old new Mazda is total, but the faulty party only has 10K to cover my car.?

Question

The guy rear-end me only has 10,000 on coverage(Progressive) to cover my brand new 3 months old 2006 mazda (worth 20,000 and total).

I have full coverage with Geico; will Geico pay me for the car in full and go after the faulty party?

He also had a boat towing when the accident happened.

And will my premium w/GEICO increase after all of this?

Please give me your suggesions and experience, I am really lost after all of this, my muscle is still hurt.

I was on my way to Red Sox Marlins game in Florida when this guy rear-ended me on interstate highway, but everything was lost...

Thanks for all your response.

In state of Florida, I heard it's only require 10000 dollars insurance coverage to drive on the road, it's unbelievable...any cars on the road could easily be more than 10K.......

Answer 1

Don't listen to most of these idiots talking about getting a lawyer or faking injuries to get paid. If you are hurt see a M.D. and not a chiropractor. Contact your insurance carrier and file a claim. Since you were the not-at-fault party , Geico will go after the responsible party and get your collison deductible back. Geico will pay you for the retail value of your car minus your collision deductible. No need to get an attorney at this time unless you run into difficult . Most states allow you two or more years before you would need an attorney to file a lawsuit to protect your interest. Personal injury attorneys only care about making you treat excessively for your injuries to demand more money for your bodily injury claim. They don't care about your vehicle since they can't make money on a property damage claim. Attorney's are out to make money just like insurance companies. The sad party is attorneys take 1/3 to 1/2 of your money for a claim that most people could handle themselves if the injuries are minor.

Your premiums will not got up since this is an non-chargeable accident. You are suffering from soft tissue injuries also known as whiplash ....which is a muscle strain or sprain.....Time and rest is all you need along with a good anti-inflammatory medicine /painkiller you can get from a M.D.


Don't worry about the other parties coverage if you have full coverage with underinsured motorist coverage, you can file a injury claim against you own insurance carrier. They should pay or reimburse you for all reasonable medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.......

Answer 2

File your collision damage claim with Geico and see if they will waive your deductible or if they can assist you in getting the deductible from Progressive. they will get the money back from Progressive and the other driver personally (subrogation).
You have a third party liability claim against Progressive for the damage to your vehicle and the injury that you have sustained as a result of th eaccident. Have you seen a doctor about your sore neck? Cervical strain sometimes shows up a day or two from the accident after your addrenelin and nerves have settled.
The $10k liability coverage minimum is typical for some states and I agree it is not enough to cover the costs of repairs for vehicles now days. However, auto insurance coverage has to be affordable to everyone and it is good that he has some coverage anyways.
Your Geico policy will only go up if you were enjoying an accident free discount. Contact your insurance company on the 800 number they provide and ask for customer service.

Good Luck to you and the Marlins!

Answer 3

Okay, I am an insurance agent. It sounds like he only had $10,000 of coverage on Property Damage.

You said you have full coverage. If that's true, your Underinsured Motorist Property Damage coverage should cover the difference.

I would open a claim with Geico, both for the Property Damage and a possible Bodily Injury/PIP claim. More than likely, however, they will assess the car as a total loss and probably not give you all of the money to replace it.

Your premium should not increase, as you were not at-fault, however, you need to document EVERYTHING. The minute you call Geico, they will open a claim. Especially if you are potentially injured, you need to report this and see a doctor as soon as possible.

I'm sorry this happened and good luck on getting it all resolved!

Answer 4

i agree with the rest. you need to get a lawyer. even if your not injured. the first thing the insurance company is going to do is try to screw you. they are going to offer you about 15 grand at most for the car. probably a lot less. the depreciation terminology is very crappy with insurance companies. you drive it off the lot and it has no value. a lawyer will help make sure you get the most of the car and can also assist if you were injured.

also, unless you had "under or non insured" on your policy, you are going to get screwed!

if you can't afford a lawyer, don't accept anything from the insurance company without first being able to read a statement about what the insurance company is paying for.

you should have got Allstate. they have this policy for replacing new cars.

as long as it wasn't your fault, which it never is when you get rear-ended, then your premiums should stay the same. most insurance companies give you 3 no-fault claims before they cancel you or raise your rates.

hope your team won the game. lol.

good luck!!!!! you'll need it. trust me!

Answer 5

You will have to use your own insurance to pay for the damages, your insurance company will recover the money from the other insurance company and they will eat the remaining portion of the damages. you were not at fault for the accident, so most likely (though no guarantee) your insurance rate should not go up. If they do increase your rate, I would go to another company. Most large reputable companies do not increase your insurance premium when they are in an auto accident that is not their fault.
You will also get your deductible reimbursed as well from the other insurance carrier, once they settle with your insurance company. However, being that your car was only 3 months old, you will most likley be upside down on your settlement if you financed that entire car. (Try to get comparison quotes in the newspaper or on line (in your local area) to try to increase the amount they will pay you. They only owe fair market value of the vehicle (and it will be considered a used car) prior to the accident.

Answer 6

First of all I didn't know that a person could get an automobile policy with only $10000 in liability coverage. My State requires much more. Also, what would happen if you got hit by somebody with NO insurance? Wouldn't your company pay you and then go after him? Or does that require non-insured motorist coverage? What does your Company say? What if it was a hit and run? Wouldn't your Company pay you?

Answer 7

If u dont have a lawyer u might want 2 talk one,and if u have any receipts for from work that u had done on the vehicle show them to the insurance company this will increase the value of the car showing u maintained it, Hope u feel better

Answer 8

it's time to call your lawyer and make sure your insurance company knows all the facts.
personally, if that happened to me, i'd roll out the car and fall on my face to the ground and let some foam come out of my mouth..and i'd be still until the EMS got there.
i saw some dude in a scooter get nailed by a Saturn a few weeks ago. that guy is gonna get PAID..he fell and laid there until the money train came hollyering.