auto accident claim help.. Geico?

Question

I was hit this morning on my way to work. The other lady admitted fault and was cited by a police officer. She filed the claim with her insurance (Geico) at the scene. I contacted geico and was told that I have to have one of their people do an appraisal of the damage and setup the repairs. However, when scheduling to have it done I was told that I have to go to them and I have to go to a place thats in excess of 40-50 miles from my house and have to do it at 7am or during my lunch break, but that's still about 30 miles away and would take about 2-2.5 hours(my break is 30min.).I told them that I could only go that far if it's after work (after 4:30pm) and they would have to reimburse me for my time. Otherwise they will need to reimburse me for missing work. they said they can't do it after I get off work & that they won't reimburse me except for rental car and repairs to my vehicle. They're totally playing hard ball. If I go through my insurance I have to pay & wait for reimbursement.

The car is drivable, but is a serious eye sore. I would like to know what my rights are and what I should do. I've contacted my attorney. But they take a cut. Is their fees included in what I will be paid or will it come out of the $ that's to go toward repairs...? I don't think I have any injuries.. but it only happened about an hour ago.

I can't pay my deductible at the moment. At least not without knowing that it would be reimbursed within a few weeks. I'm paying for my wedding at the moment and am on a budget. I was told it could and probably will take several months to reimburse. Does anyone know what the laws are for WA state as they relate to this?

response to "la428282" you think I'm lucky that they're paying for it and admitting responsibility? They didn't say who's at fault.. the police at the scene did. And that's their job to pay for my damages. that's what insurance is for. I'm willing to drive to a shop, just one that's with in reasonable driving distance and at a reasonable hour. Otherwise I want to be compensated for loosing work to go. I dont' think that's too much to ask.

I didn't ask to be hit this morning and loose 2 hours of work because of it.There's nothing lucky about what happened to me today. And I'm not frauding anyone. I'm only asking them to pay to restore my car to what it looked like yesterday. 1 dent from the previous accident (which was a dent and a scratch) I'm not claiming and paying for out of pocket. I already have a quote for it. I just dont want to be denied my bumper being replace now that it's totally ruined because it had a previous scratch. try reading through Qs before you post stupidly.

Answer 1

Here's a suggestion from a very old claims adjuster. If GEICO has accepted 100% liability for the accident process the claim through your own company.

Your own company should treat you better than somebody else's company. Going through your own company should be easier. Ask them if they have a "preferred body shop" close to you. That way you take the car to that shop, they write the estimate and send it to your company.

Your company will pay you for the damages less your deductible. My guess is that you don't want to pay your deductible and then wait to get reimbursed, which can sometimes take months. I would suggest that you cal GEICO and if they are accepting 100% of the liability ask them to pay your deductible to you "upfront". This way you don't have to wait for the deductible to get reimbursed. GEICO has no legal obligation to do this but I have done it hundreds of times during my career (never worked foir GEICO thouigh) so I know it can be done.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Geico Car Accident Claim Process

Answer 3

They can't force you to do anything. Contact your insurance agent and get some advice from him/her on what to do. Depending on the state you live in there are can be some very strict rules as to what an insurance company can ask of you to do. I know in Ohio they cannot dictate where you go for any repairs and estimates, but I'm not certain about your state. Also your state's attorney general will have information on possible actions and restrictions. They should have a website (I know the one here is good and rather responsive to emailed questions). If they continue to try to muscle you into something contact an attorney, it may cost you nothing for an attorney to consult with you and talk to Geico for you. Contact your local BAR association for more info on attorneys.

Answer 4

File the claim with your insurance company and let Geico pound sand. You'll have to come up with your deductible possibly but that's it, and it will be reimbursed by Geico.

Tell the Geico rep that you are doing THEM a favor by keeping your insurance company out of it and if they won't send an adjuster then they can deal with YOUR insurance company's assessment of the damage.

You can also tell them that there's no way that you're driving your car that distance in the condition that it's in. Tell them that you'll be happy to take it to a the local body shop of your choice for an estimate and have it sent to them directly; that's very common practice

You might also tell them that you'll go to the media about the shabby treatment and poor service that is contrary to their advertising claims.

Answer 5

I dont think you mentioned how much the damage was. If it is less than the max at your local small claims court, then I would take the other driver to small claims court. It's very inexpensive and you dont need legal representation. If the other person calls you asking why you are taking them to court. Explain to them that this is you only option as Geico refuses to pay. Bring 2 or 3 estimates to court with you. If/when you win, the judge will award you the lower of the 2 estimates so make sure they are both pretty high.
I had the something similar happen to me. Lady hit my car, admitted fault, but allstate said that the accident was 30% my fault and would only pay for 70% of my damages. I told them I wanted 100% and a rental car. They said no. I took the woman to small claims court- the insurance co has to represent them in court. Once she got the court papers she called her insurance company and they then called me and offered me 90% of my damages. I said "nope, see you in court"... they called 2 days later and gave me what I wanted since they know they would lose in court.
Good luck!

Answer 6

You have a right to demand that they send someone out to inspect your vehicle due to the distance involved in traveling to one of their inspection sites. Speak to a supervisor if your claims adjuster is being unreasonable, and if that supervisor is being unreasonable, go to their manager, go all the way up the chain until you get them to agree to send an adjuster out. They do have adjusters that can go inspect vehicles, they are only trying to save money. You could always file a department of insurance claim as well if they are being extremely unreasonable.

OR.. you could go through your own carrier - and just have them reimburse your deductible, so you do not have to pay it out of pocket.

I had an accident with Geico as well, they are an EXTREME hassle to deal with. It was one of the most unpleasant experiences of my life. So, good luck.

Answer 7

Good lord... does the insurance company look like god? like they can magically make everything better?

This is an ACCIDENT.. it is a PAIN.. and the insurance companies cant magically solve everything.

Go cry to your attorney... they cant do a thing. all the companie owes your for is repairs and rental.. they cant magically come to your beckoning call because god forbid it causes you an inconvenience.

Grow up- and drive to the shop. Your lucky they are being so quick with determining liability and are trying to help you out here.. why do you have to be such a pain?

Oh yea, i forgot.. your the one whos committing FRAUD by having them fix the damage for two accidents at one time.. and then complaining about everything they do..

Answer 8

That doesnt seem right. They should be sending someone to you. See if you can get an estimate from someone close by and fax it to them. The accident wasnt your fault, you shouldnt have to lose any money on this. Stand your ground and tell them they will either have to come to you or see you after work.

Answer 9

Not much I can answer more than what the first person said.

I can say that any attorney can tell you about his/her fees for something like this, and whether or not they will come out of the money for repairs or out of what you get paid. He/she may also advise you that you can ask for compensation for time lost from work - including that needed to get your car inspected and appraised.

Answer 10

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