I was hit by a car in the rear, myself and passenger taken to hospital, no serious injuries besides whiplash. Accident was ruled other driver's fault. My insurance agent told me to take it to a guy he knew so I did, was told it would take several weeks and over $7k to fix. My agent said they wouldn't pay for a rental and I needed transportation asap so I took it someplace else and got it fixed for $650.00 in one day! Now I get a letter from my insurange agent saying that I stated I wanted to pursue the party that hit me so they were not going to cover any repair costs. I called his supervisor and told him I never stated anything to my agent, he was very upset with me for some reason, I suspect they were getting kickbacks from the garage who wanted so much money. What should I do? I feel like both insurance companies are working against me now. Can I sue my insurance company and the individual who hit me? Please advise.
Thank You!
2007-03-04 18:20:06 · 6 answers · asked by JamesGlo215 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
The accident occurred in PA. I never stated that I wanted to sue anyone. I was ready to pay the deductible which was $500.00 to have to car fixed but I now have $2,500 in hospital bills that my insurance company refuses to pay. They (adjuster and agent) have become very cold ever since I told them I was taking the car to be repaired someplace other then where they wanted me to take it. They sent me a letter saying that they are not doing anything for me basically and ASSUME that I want to sue the other party which I never stated. The letter looked like it was written by a 9yr old, they even misspelled their own agency's name. These two men are clearly not professionals. I am not a crook, I don't want tons of money, just to have my car fixed and hospital bills paid for.
2007-03-05 16:20:05 · update #1
First, agents do not handle claims, they sell policies...ADJUSTERS handle claims. If your agent referred you somewhere...in some states, this is against the law. If you are in CA...it most definitely is as there are serious anti-steering laws, called SB 551.
Second, it doesn't matter what the agent says, you are entitled to benefits under the policy so long as you meet certain conditions, one of them being the INSURANCE COMPANY looks at your vehicle PRIOR to repairs being made.
Third, you could be correct....many shops and agents are engaged in this type of practice. You need to contact the actual INSURANCE COMPANY, file a claim, and go from there. Let the adjuster know what you've experienced...their SIU may want to get involved, the agent's E & O insurance may come in to pay for your repairs, or at the least a very harsh warning is sent down to your agent.
2007-03-05 13:24:53 · answer #1 · answered by bundysmom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh lord, what a bunch of crappy answers.
You have two choices when you get in an accident:
a. go through your own insurance and pay a deductible
b. go through the at fault parties insurance
It seems you told your agent (who has NOTHING to do with the insurance company likely- they are not an adjuster) that you wanted to pursue the at fault carrier. When you told her that.. your insurance company wiped their hands clean of the claim as you had said you wanted them to. So how is this wrong? If you want to go through your insurance you cant just get your repairs done.. you have to have them do an estimate for the body shop to go off of... it seems you just got your repairs done.
Now... you havent told us if the at fault party has denied your claim and if so.. why. Its stupid to get an attorney in a case like this.... esp if its something as simple as their was no coverage at the time of loss. No attorney can do ANYTHING about that. Now, one reason they could have denied your claim is the fact that you just got repairs done w/o telling them or letting them do the estimate.. is this the case? If so.. you are still owed for your injury.
But if there is an issue with coverage... and your claim is denied... there is nothing you can do. thats not the insurance companies fault.. its the at fault parties. Not everyone is out to get you.
2007-03-05 00:59:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
To get any bodily injury without the evidence of broken bones, or to get the car correctly repaired under the contract terms of the isurance(s) anymore requires the services of an attorney. And, you're right about the kickbacks, especially on auto glass. Their glass contractors will bill you after the deductible. If you shop around, the glass company will fix the glass free within the deductible.
2007-03-04 18:32:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Insurance companies can NOT dictate WHAT shop you have your car repaired at!
If they originaly agreed to cover the repairs through the other shop, take that paper work and the paper work for the denile to an attorney ASAP!
DONT LET THIS ASSS INSURANCE COMPANY PUSH YOU AROUND!
ITS YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE PLACE YOU WANT!
2007-03-04 18:30:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Advise them that you are going to contact your Attorney.
Contact an Attorney, In NY, a rear end hit is the ONLY thing, that the other insurance co. has to pay for, no if's and's or but's ! The car that stikes the rear is at fault, NO MATTER WHAT !
2007-03-04 18:29:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You can also file a complaint against the insuranc e companies with your state's insurance board.
2007-03-06 07:24:18 · answer #6 · answered by Jody D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋