What are my options if my car insurance lapsed and I got into a fender bender? There is no police report but the other parties insurance says i owe them $4300. I'm in California, if that matters.
2006-09-19 12:07:50 · 6 answers · asked by chidunn23 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
It is untrue that you need three estimates. The insurance company that has paid this loss likely paid a fair price...they don't want to be out any more money than they have to, especially knowing you are uninsured and their likelhood of recovery is less! Honestly, you should ask if they make payment arrangements. Failure to pay can result in damaged credit (you go to collections). This will get reported to the DMV, if it hasn't already. In California if you are involved in an accident exceeding $750.00, you need to notify the dmv regardless of fault (ask for an SR-1 form). This is supposed to be done within ten days of the loss. Consider yourself lucky there is not an additional bodily injury claim, which would seriously up the chances the other driver would SUE YOU. They also still have that option right now. Start those payments.
2006-09-19 15:22:19 · answer #1 · answered by Pieandchips 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having no insurance in CA is a criminal situation between you and the state DMV. The accident portion is between you and the insurance company. If you are at fault, pony-up the cash but request to see damage estimate(s) before you pay -- this sounds like one HELL of a fender bender. If there is only one estimate from a repair shop you have a reasonable right to have at least three competitive bids on repairs.
Sorry to even say this but....insurance doesn't cost NEAR as much as it pays.
2006-09-19 21:32:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're at fault then you can expect the other person to go through his/her own carrier and for them to then decide whether to pursue you directly through a subrogation action, or collection, or a civil suit if you don't agree to pay. And as Cowboy Bill said, you could be in trouble beyond that. The benefit of having insurance, beyond the obvious, is that your carrier could see this other person's car and pay based off an insurance estimate, not some inflated estimate that this person got at a shop.
Now, if you want to pay for this yourself, work out the amount by asking for other estimates (good luck with that!) but make sure you get a release signed by the other person that says in exchange for this payment, they agree this is the final disposition, that it's binding and they agree not to sue you. Wow, that sounds exactly like what insurance companies do!
2006-09-19 21:43:36 · answer #3 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure the accident is YOUR fault?? Just because you don't have insurance (which is illegal in CA, by the way) doesn't mean YOU have to pay the repairs. However, if this is YOUR fault you will have to pay for the repairs out of your pocket, but you can demand 3 estimates and choose the lowest one. It is illegal to drive without insurance in CA, so the other insurer may report this situation. If you don't pay, they can take you to small claims court and get a judgement against you. There's no way of winning this unless it's the other person's fault. Good Luck!
2006-09-19 19:12:58 · answer #4 · answered by sunseekerrv 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's YOUR fault, they can sue you for the money...they need at least 2 estimates an you will have to pay the lesser of the two. Good Luck!!
2006-09-19 19:16:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have to pay out of pocket . . .
2006-09-19 20:06:42 · answer #6 · answered by ♥LoisLane♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋