My car was struck by a guy who ran the red light. He did around $1500 damage to the front left side. He tried to flee at first and did even more damage than he wouldn't had he just backed away.
I have collision coverage but have a $1000 deductible so I'd rather not go through my insurance.
The other driver is denying it was his fault. There is no police report because cops don't come to accidents here unless someone is uninsured or injured. No witnesses either.
So what should I do? Spend the $1500 out of pocket and sue the guy? Or will contacting his insurance and explaining what happened convince them to pay?
2006-09-19 04:25:06 · 15 answers · asked by KRACK A SMILE 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Start by contacting his insurance company and file a claim. If the front of his car hit the side of yours, it should be obvious that he hit you. Ask your company to help apply some pressure. They will help, because they don't want to pay out.
2006-09-19 04:27:51 · answer #1 · answered by Joe B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the other guy is refusing to pay then it seems you could sue him but you need to look at it as "will it cost more money to sue him?" Will the courts even see that it was or wasnt his fault? Do you have any witnesses?
If you contact someone elses insurance company they will definately require a copy of the police report. Maybe your state is different since the cops dont come and write one unless for certain reasons. You may want to contact your insurance company to see what they can do to help you out. They may be able to help get the other insurance company to pay.
2006-09-19 04:28:41 · answer #2 · answered by Keith Perry 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jordan K is right; that is what insurance is for. You should not have to pay your deductible UNLESS that guy has no insurance or you are found at fault. The best scenario (and this is how it SHOULD go) is that your insurance will contact his insurance and file a claim. Since he's at fault, his insurance should pay your deductible. ... but more likely you'd pay the $1,000 deductible and then his insurance will reimburse you.
Just talk to your agent. If you don't mind disclosing the accident to your insurance, then they can give you all the answers. If there was a police report, the insurance is likely to find out anyway, so just call your insurance, it doesn't mean that you HAVE to file, they will give you the best answer!!!!
2006-09-19 05:10:46 · answer #3 · answered by LittleFreedom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Police WILL come to the scene of accident and write an accident report. Contact the other person's insurance. Then haul off and SUE, SUE, SUE! That seems to be the do all answer for every American these days. All this does is keep the bottom feeding lawyers in money, you dope.
2006-09-19 11:29:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would personally contact my insurance company and explain in detail what happened. Because the guy ran the traffic light he is responsible and should be held accountable for either paying the deductible or repairing the damages.
2006-09-19 06:27:44 · answer #5 · answered by keyche 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait, wait wait!!!
Your options are to file with your company (which you already know) or file directly through his. If those two avenues fail then you can sue him. I would go with option number two if you don't want to use your own insurance. What would happen if you sued him is he would call his insurance company, who owes him a defense, they would answer on his behalf, tell the court that you never gave them an opportunity to see the vehicle and resolve the claim, and you'd probably have to withdraw your suit. That is, presuming, that liability is not in dispute,etc.
So take the steps in the proper order and leave it to the insurance professionals.
2006-09-19 10:13:20 · answer #6 · answered by Chris 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's going to be EASIER if you just let your insurance company handle it. If you sue him, you have to PROVE it's him, which could mean hiring a private detective, and WILL mean taking photos of his car to show the damage.
His insurance company does NOT have to take a report from you, and they don't even have to TALK to you!! So if you still don't want to go through your company, it could take 6 months to get a small claims court hearing, and you'll have to prove he was involved, then you have to prove that he ran the red light, THEN you have to explain your damages. It's going to be a lot of work on your part, definately not worth your hiring an attorney.
2006-09-19 08:53:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can try contacting the insurence company and explaining what happened to convince them to pay....when u sue it takes a lot of your time and money
2006-09-19 04:27:01 · answer #8 · answered by Love always, Kortnei 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need to contact his insurance. Contact yours and give them a statement, then figure out how much it will be to get your car fixed, and send the person who caused the accident a bill for that amount. He may turn it in to his insurance who will contact your insurance and they will settle things between them. If not, ask your insurance to contact him. In the mean time, pay the deductible and get your vehicle fixed.
2006-09-19 04:31:19 · answer #9 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What country do you live in where cops don't come to accidents? Certainly not the USA.
Report the accident to your insurance company and let them sort it all out -- they contact his insurance company, you don't do that.
Then, if after everything is settled, you can assess whether to sue for damages not covered by insurance. We have Small Claims Court here in the USA.
2006-09-19 04:28:11 · answer #10 · answered by kja63 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋