Ok, I understand that its my fault or whatever, but there has to be something i can do. I had a lapse in my insurance last year, of a week. Got into an accident at that time. It was literally a fender bender, clipped the rear corner of the car, broke his light. My insurance company would not help me, and his insurance company is charging me $5000. There is no way I can pay that, and the payment option they are giving me is $1600, and $300 a month. I can't afford that either, and it seems like a lot of money for so little damage. Now my license is going to be suspended unless I pay, which I don't have this money! Its not fair, because I still have to pay car insurance. I can't afford all of this, but I have to do something because I have to go to work. What can I do, should I call a lawyer???
2007-01-02 04:30:53 · 11 answers · asked by Sweet Belly 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Please no useless criticism. I am just trying to survive like everyone else. If I had the money, I never would have had the lapse. Its bad enough being broke, please don't make a bad situation worse with judgemental comments.
2007-01-02 04:36:44 · update #1
Ask the insurance adjuster to see the damage repair estimate before you agree. You are responsible for that plus the cost of towing if any and the other driver's rental car for the time the other car is out of service. If you can't afford the payments they want you can ask for lower payments. You can call a lawyer & maybe he can do this for you.
** Note: This is a general discussion of the subject matter of your question and not legal advice. Local laws or your particular situation may change the general rules. For a specific answer to your question you should consult legal counsel with whom you can discuss all the facts of your case. **
2007-01-02 04:40:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, you can try to negotiate the up front payment. Explain to them what you can afford to pay now, I'm sure they will work with you. If they file a suit against you, make sure that you appear and don't get a default judgment against you. You can tell the court if this happens that you've been willing to pay it, but you can't pay what they've been asking you to pay.
I know it seems really unfair that you're paying for insurance now and it's not helping you. However, insurance only lasts as long as the payment takes you and that's why even though you're insured now they can't assist, since your coverage ran out. There are tons of people out there who let insurance lapse and they reinstate and nothing happens in that lapse time. I call those people incredibly lucky. Most of the time something happens during the lapse and it's unfortunate.
You could consider a loan to pay the debt off, then the threat of an action against you is gone. Some states have laws that revoke your license if a judgment is entered against you, so that's why I say don't let it come to that if you can possibly avoid it. If you make some sort of payment they should be satisfied. When you post a question in this category and you admit you had no insurance people are usually brutal. It takes a thick skin to post here!
2007-01-02 11:16:18 · answer #2 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Contact the insurance company and ask them if they will be willing to accept a lower amount each month. Explain that you are willing to pay and you know you have to pay but you need help in setting an amount that you will be able to afford. Many but not all adjusters will be willing to work with you.
A lawyer is not going to be able to help you so it is a waste of your time to call one.
The amount of the damages may seem high but any small accident is a minimum of a grand.
Good Luck
2007-01-02 06:34:22 · answer #3 · answered by blb 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sad to say, you need to make payment arrangements or you could end up in jail. Insurance is your responsibility, most insurance companies give you a grace period of 10 days; if you exceed that, then you exceeded the grace period and you should legally not have been allowed to drive and now must face the consequences. You are now paying car insurance for the price to drive legally, now. Once your license is suspended, you need to stop driving and the cancel you insurance (and not drive) until it is legal for you do do so, particularlly if you are arrested and in jail).
You could contact a lawyer but it is doubful that he can do anything if you did not have an outstanding excuse for not paying the premium for insurance within the grace period of the policy.
2007-01-02 04:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, its good that you have insurance now - but not when you caused the accident, there was no coverage.
Yes, you do have to pay (either pick up a second job, or start selling some assets) A lawyer wouldn't do anything for you since it was your fault and even if you did get a lawyer - you would still have to pay for it.
2007-01-02 05:10:22 · answer #5 · answered by PeppermintandPopcorn 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First, Snooze you loose.! Too bad that you got yourself into this situation. If you get a lawyer that will be another $500. The only recourse fir you would be ask that the guy you whacked or the insurance company for a second estimate,( the ins. co. does this) After that you could go to small claims court and see if they can help..Go to the local court and see the Clerk of Court and ask them how you may be able to rectify this matter..I think that they might act as an arbitrator for this problem. I'm only guessing. Try it and see what they say. I sure wish you all the luck but your kinda screwed because you allowed your ins. to expire. Best of luck, really mean that!!
2007-01-02 04:49:35 · answer #6 · answered by buzzwaltz 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
sure, as a results of fact insurance firms are patently the victims in all of this, as a results of fact customers have the ability to disclaim the companies claims retroactively and sell off a hefty bill on the employer that financially cripples it for existence. human beings could additionally deny the employer insurance if the employer has any preexisting circumstances. after all, persons are accessible basically to make funds. Oh wait, I have been provided that backwards.
2016-10-19 08:57:48 · answer #7 · answered by shea 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You chose to drive without insurance and now have to pay for your actions. Perhaps you could sell something of value, like your car, and pay what you owe. Another choice would be to get a loan. Then you could get a second (or third) job to pay the loan back!
It may not seem fair, but the person who suffered damage because of your actions should not have to suffer more. I do not mean to seem unkind, but you have to take responsibility for your own actions.
2007-01-02 05:12:00 · answer #8 · answered by fire4511 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you did not have insurance when you had the accident, so you are legally required to pay the full amount. a lawyer wont be able to help on this.
$5,000 is about normal for even minor damage to a car.
2007-01-02 04:36:43 · answer #9 · answered by Kutekymmee 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The amount sounds excessive to me. I was in an accident a few years ago. They had to replace a bumper and quarter panel. The bill was about $1600. Get an attorney and demand a list of all materials used in the repair. Also, do they or you have pics of the damage?
2007-01-02 04:40:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋