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Questions About Auto Insurance and Accidents

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  • mtran0905mtran0905 Member Posts: 4
    Get what records? And I cannot file a small claims court without that green card being signed because that signature shows the court that I did attempt to handle it outside of court and when he got that letter. Without that signature..it doesn't show "proof". I have already called the court and stuff already
  • manamalmanamal Member Posts: 426
    Consult a lawyer. You should be able to get a consultation about how to persue the issue in small claims court for less than $100. Otherwise, march down to the courthouse with the returned letters, and file the complaint.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    " Get what records? "

    Your phone records that will show you have attempted to call the guilty party and his insurance company.

    To me, it doesn't sound reasonable for the court to deny a case simply if they don't sign the green card. That would make it soooooo easy for someone to avoid this. Having phone records and more than one unsigned green cards should be enough.

    But, you say you have called small claims court and that they have verified this beyond a shadow of doubt, right? And you explained to the court clerk that they won't sign the green card, right? And the court clerk has said....."no signed green card, no suit", right?

    Good luck.
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    If we need to have something done, then we either do it ourself or pay someone else to do it.

    You chose to only have liability insurance, so you did not pay anyone to fight in your behalf if another driver hit you. Therefore, you have to fight for yourself, and I have no idea how to even start.

    I wish you luck.

    Bob
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Allstate said "NO" despite the evidence because there were no Bodily Injuries. Statistically, they can save a lot of money by stone walling claimants for just little Property Damage Liability Claims. Allstate also denied your claim because their insured told a different story to preserve his insurance record. Perhaps your case deserves the position of suing Allstate for "Failure to Bargain in Good Faith" and due to the size of damages I'd think about suing them in Justice or Small Claims Court. Good Luck.
  • loncrayloncray Member Posts: 301
    There are ways to serve process beyond registered (green card) mail. You should check with the Clerk's Office and see what other forms of service they accept. You might end up hiring a private process server, or have the Sheriff's Dept. serve your letter, or even publish a legal notice in the paper. Different localities and courts have different rules.
  • m3rryjanem3rryjane Member Posts: 1
    i also had an accident a couple of months ago, pretty much similar with your story. i had my insurance with netquote and i was happy they got me covered..:)
    try to visit them at www.netquote.com
  • hapless3hapless3 Member Posts: 1
    I was rear-ended by a 17-year-old (probably his first accident) and his insurance - Farmers - has accepted liability. (There were two witnesses: my brother and a police officer.) The front end of his SUV had minor damage; my rear bumper is pushed in on one side, rear tailight cracked and lightbulb burned out; and the exhaust pipe might be a bit bent (not sure). Thing is, my car is a '92 Buick Century with 130K miles - old. Nevertheless, the engine is in excellent condition and I really need this car (I take good care of it). The Farmers rep said something about "total loss detective". I may have misheard, but I think they want to declare my car too old to repair or a total loss to avoid repair costs. I have a really bad feeling about this. How can I deal with these people so that I get my car fixed? Thank you for any help!
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Get an estimate, maybe 2 or 3. Look up the value of your car at Edmunds, KBB, and NADA. Use the retail values, average the three and then add sales tax. That would be the number I'd tell the ins. co. the vehicle is worth. If the estimate is more than the value of your car, they won't fix it. If it's close, maybe.

    You say your vehicle is still driveable and in good running condition, so try to negotiate with them if they won't fix it and the estimates are more than the value. Either way, they won't pay more than what your vehicle is worth. If you can negotiate a price with them and keep your vehicle, you should be able to find a body shop that can fix the lights and at least have it pass inspection.

    Good luck.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    If its just a bumper and taillight, you may be ok. Heck, fix it yourself and get a check from the insurance. BUT, if it is ANYTHING else (if that exhaust is bent and did any further damage or if there is ANY body damage), its a pretty good bet they are totalling it. I can't imagine they'd estimate a 14-year-old domestic with 130k miles to be worth more than $2k, maybe even less.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • vsaxenavsaxena Member Posts: 211
    Our car got damaged in a parking lot when we were not around. There were no witnesses or notes. There is a dent and some scratches.

    My insurance company said that if there was another car involved, it will be a collision claim; else a comprehensive. The problem is that my collision deductible ($1000) is 20x higher than my comprehensive deductible ($50). I have an Uninsured motorized rider for collision deductible waiver but that requires that the other party by identified and proven to be without insurance. Hence that rider does not apply to us.

    I always thought that if the car is parked then the damage is covered by comprehensive. I kept a high collision deductible since I did not mind paying if I really make a mistake. In this case we might lose $950 if the adjuster feels that the damage was caused by another vehicle.

    I find this law unfair since it leaves too much in the hands of the adjuster. There is no witness or proof about what hit our car and based on the judgment of the adjuster on what caused the damage, I would either pay $50 or $1000!
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    If you have "Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Liability" read it carefully.

    It usually covers two kinds of underinsured motorists. Known and Phantom. When the adverse party is known, the deductible is usually only $100. If unknown or Phantom, the deductible is often $300.

    Comprehensive would come into play upon hitting an animal, i.e. a deer, elk, moose, or camel.
  • mrtzmrtz Member Posts: 2
    Hi,

    I have a 2001 Nissan Sentra with a Salvaged title that I bought in very good repaired condition 4 yrs ago. It was a rear ended collision. I paid about $7500 at that time. It had been working flawlessly for 4 years.

    A few days ago, I was hit by another car and it was the other party's fault. So I filed for insurance claim from the other party's insurance. I went to the insurance-recommended body shop. The insurance company called me and said that the repairs were estimated at $10,400. I did not think it was that bad - only the rear bumper and quarter panel looked damaged.

    Anyway, my question is : What can I expect the insurance company to pay me for the car they claim is "totalled" since the car has a salvaged title? The car was in great condition before this accident.

    Is this possibly a game they are playing so that they don't have to repair the car? What are my choices here. Can I take it for a second opinion that will allow for repairs?

    Some advise is urgently needed today.

    Thanks,
    MS.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    I'm curious if they would even technically know it had a salvaged title before. I mean, its not like they can actually look at the title (can they?).

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • mrtzmrtz Member Posts: 2
    I don't know - I guess they have ways to find that, and they may be able to check the car history somehow. In any case, I just want to know if there is some standard assessment for valuation of a "totaled" car with a salvaged title as compared to a car that did not have a salvaged title. I would like to know what to expect in this situation before I get the actual appraisal value and what my options are if it looks like the insurance is low-balling me.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Do you have your title in hand? Somewhere on it, it will say salvage. Anyone can look it up on carfax.com.

    In regards to your question, gee I don't know. I'd say go over to the "Real world trade in" forum and ask your question.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    The insurance recommended body shop is just that and only that. It's recommended.

    Your car. You are in control. You take it to the body shop of your choice. Have that body shop estimate the cost of repair and if it is less than the ACV or TMV of a 2001 Nissan Sentra, the insurance company is obligated to fix it.

    Don't mention a "Salvage title" because that only pertains to the sale of the vehicle, not the repair. Also, what you paid for the car is none of the insurance company's business either. Proceed as though the title was not "Salvage."
  • wydlerssfwydlerssf Member Posts: 3
    My PARKED 1990 Lincoln was hit by a semi truck carrying 60 foot I beams.
    It was totaled. The Truckers ins. co. is offering me 2,278.00. I want them to replace my vehicle, it was in excellent condition 5.0 engine custom paint job, new load levelers in rear approx. $4, 000.00 ran like a champ.The Trucker said he was sent up this street by a building firm building 30 homes up the street from me, there are 2 main streets he could have accessed the building site from but was given a map by the contractors.
    What recourse do I have? I really just want them to find me another car with the same options as mine, it had 141, 000 miles which is considered low for that year.
    I'm in the process of contacting the Insurance commissioner, an atty and have already started my battle with the city to get speed bumps and signs on this street.This is the second car that we have lost in less than 1 year and they were both PARKED in front of our home.
    Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    " What recourse do I have? "

    Not much. They'll give you what the book value says it's worth. A 15 yr old vehicle with 141K miles ain't worth much, even with what you've put in to it.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    wydlerssf, I see that you are a new member, welcome. I'm sorry for your loss.

    But, with 30 new homes being built not far from you, why would you park on the street? :confuse: You must have known that the construction traffic would be heavy until the work is done. And, you already lost one car that was parked on the street.

    Park in the driveway if you can. Your insurance company may drop you if you have too many incidents.

    Hope everything works out for you. Mark :surprise:
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Check out your car on e bay motors and you will love their offer. :D

    Here's what you get for $1,500.00

    LSC and the car motor runs absolutely flawlessly with 16 inch Lincoln rims, a JBL audio system and a SONY 10 Disc Changer System in the trunk. It's has been garage kept for the last 8 yrs and well maintained. Over the last '4' years I've been driving my second car so it's mostly been garage kept and highway driven only.

    Repairs last '18' months I made several repairs to car...

    Michelin tires (4), Front/Rear Rotors, Pads and Calipers, Exhaust System and Rear Airbags suspension. I have changed the oil every 3500 miles. It has a 5.0 L H/O engine and is all original. It has 4 wheel Anti-Lock Brake System. I will try to tell you everything that is wrong with the car, most are minor fixable items. The power lock (passenger side) do not work from the drivers side but, works manually. The TripMonitor works but has to be reset when first starting-up the car. The paint has a few scratches from door openings. The interior is in good shape with little wear to the leather and cloth seats. I will keep the car in the garage until pickup. If you have any questions please feel free to email me I will be happy to answer any questions. Thanks for looking.
  • wydlerssfwydlerssf Member Posts: 3
    Where are you located?
    Do you have pictures?
    How are the airbags, load levelers in the rear?
    Leather and Cloth seats?
  • wydlerssfwydlerssf Member Posts: 3
    We live on a small street only 1 block long.
    There is access to the building site from two different main streets parrallel to ours the construction is actually on a street that crosses at the end of our street.
    The other vehicle totaled was a 69 chevy pick up truck it was totaled by a drunk driver along with 2 other cars!!

    Thanks for your welcome and reply!!!
  • jb_turnerjb_turner Member Posts: 702
    If you do not want to accept book value for your car you can hire an attorney.... but will that be cost effective?
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    I don't have a Mark VII. I took that information off of e bay motors to give you an example of the market value of your car.

    Dial in e bay motors.com, then go to Lincoln, 1990, Mark VII and see what's up.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    that comprehensive is comprised of "fire, theft and vandalism"...scratches and denting, to me, is collision damage, whether you hit a tree, a deer, or hit by another car...whereas fire (self explanatory), theft (same) and vandalism would include getting your paint keyed or your tires slashed or your window broken by a crowbar...I believe I am disagreeing with euphonium, but I am willing to stand corrected if need be...

    As far as the person who kept receiving his green card back from certified mail, when you file a suit in magistrate court (remember, I speak for GA only), a sheriff or a marshal serves papers on the defendant...once served, they are served with papers...if they show up in court, you argue in front of the judge...if they do not show in court, you will receive a default judgment and you win the case by their absence...you can then convert the judgment to a fi fa, which then gets converted into a garnishment...if you can find where they work, or know where they bank, you can garnish $$$ from them, and can also recoup your filing fees...

    In Georgia, if one has a judgment against them for an auto accident, if they do not pay you can send the judgment to the DMV and they will SUSPEND their license until they pay the debt...while that is great recourse for the injured party (you), most lawyers can't be bothered with that because, quite frankly, aside from your personal satisfaction, what is in it for us???...and, for a lawyer to take the case with your retainer, the fee would probably exceed the amount of damage to your car... ;););)
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Only a minor difference in that Comprehensive usually includes Animal Collision in the Family Auto Policy, Special Auto Policy, but perhaps not in the Standard Auto Policy.(Nor the Commercial Auto Policy) The reasoning is the driver is not at fault when the animal suddenly appears out of the woods and he can't help but hit it.

    Last Summer, Northbound on I-5, two lanes each way, a couple of deer were blocking the two lanes. The van next to me stopped as did I, but in checking the mirror I could see the F350 dragging a four horse trailer NOT stopping. I hit the horn, the gas and the fawn in my lane jumped out of the way. Meanwhile the F350 was along side of me on the shoulder with the horse trailer moving sideways towards my rear. I had forgotten just how much scat the 66 Mustang had. :D
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    I'll bet the guy in the F350 spent more time cleaning the driver's seat than he did the horse trailer.
  • feldsparfeldspar Member Posts: 1
    My daughter's hand was injured when her friend accidently slammed my car door on it. Would that be covered under my car's medical insurance?
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Yes. Personal Injury Protection or Medical Payments cover any person entering, riding or alighting from the scheduled vehicle. :)

    Let's hope the injury is not major and she can still play her Violin.
  • zurri1zurri1 Member Posts: 3
    The accident background:
    I just got a 06' Mazda3 Hatch 2 days ago. I just got rear ended. Good thing i just got insured a day ago.

    The Question:
    Filing with my insurance company for a claim- i was told that my deductible may not be recoverable 100%. Also any time i have to take off (i work at an hourly job) to take car of the car and any money spent for gas (going to and from the repair shop) will be my loss and i cannot ask my insurance or the other party's insurance
    for these costs.

    I am very furious over this! I mean, i just want a fair deal -- if i was involved in an accident, and i was not at fault i just want to be reimbursed for any cost that was incured due to the accident.

    Basically, if it takes me a total of 4 hours away from my work to take care of the accident then i want to paid for that time lost. Any gas money also. (4 hours work would equal 80 bucks for me, and this is one bill payment that i can make, so thats why i am so adamant to get reimbursed).

    How can i collect this money if the insurance company said that they will not ask for it from the other party?
    Any help in this matter is greatly appreicated
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    " i just want to be reimbursed for any cost that was incured due to the accident."

    Your coverage is not that broad is why your company can not ask it from the other party. Your company can only seek that which they are spending on the repair of your vehicle. You have collision insurance - not inconvenience coverage.

    I understand the adverse party is w/o Liability insurance which causes you to claim under your policy. If your company pursues the at fault party and settles on just 50% of the claim, you don't deserve 50% of your deductible because your company has yet to be made whole. When your company collects all of the damages from the adverse party, you will, in time, get your deductible back.

    Covering your lost time is difficult to insure because different people make different $ per hour or are retired, thus it can't be standardized or promulgated. Maybe, someday, Inconvenience Coverage may, some day, be sold at a rate per $100, but I doubt it.

    Hope the above helps you to understand & wish you the best. :)
  • zurri1zurri1 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for you input euphonium and i got a better understanding of how auto insurance company works. This is my first time buying a car, and actually the first time i just got car insurance and (2 days later) my first accident lol.

    This sucks though, even if your not at fault, some way it will cost you some amount of money. Can you go after the guy who caused this accident personally? I mean outside of the car insurance to recoup any cost.

    I work 2 jobs pretty much 6 days a week (with Sunday being off) and to lose a couple hundred bucks for a missed shift due to getting the car 1.) estimated 2.) taken to the body shop 3.) getting a rented car sucks! I know i'm being a bit an*l about this (and definetly happy that it was not a serious incident in which someone got hurt), but i'm in a bit financially, and to have this happen puts a strain on my situation and any money i can recoup is a plus. It just bothers me so much that one must pay (in some way) no matter what.

    Also, my insurance company says that i have to pay a surcharge to rent a car because i am under 25. Can i ask the other guys insurance company to pay for this surcharge?
  • jb_turnerjb_turner Member Posts: 702
    You certainly can ask the other insurance company to pay for that surcharge or any other charge. The best way to try to recover the exspenses you mention is to hire an attorney or start the process for small claims court.
  • bobstbobst Member Posts: 1,776
    I'm glad to hear you are under 25. The lessons you learn from this experience will benefit you for many years.

    You know, sometimes people do things that hurt us and we suffer for it. Sure, insurance can help a little, but it can't always fully compensate us for our loss. That's life. You may think that is unfair and it may make you very furious, but no one cares.

    Sometimes, at least from what I read in the newspapers, you can take legal action and get a lot of compensation. Who would ever think a person could collect a lot of money from McDonalds because they spilled coffee on themselves.

    Anyway, I wish you luck if you take legal action against the person who hit your car. Please come back and let us know how it turns out.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Yes, you can attempt to go after the person, but the fact is you aren't likely to recover enough to make it worth your legal expenses. As for the reason the insurance company won't cover time/inconvenience costs, think of it just like any other insurance policy.

    For example, your health insurance will cover your medical bills in part or in full, but they will not reimburse you for your time if you have to sit around and wait an extra hour for the doctor. These inconveniences are just general hazards of life.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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    2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
    Review your vehicle

  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    "Can i ask the other guys insurance company to pay for this surcharge?" Wow! The other driver has insurance???

    If this other guy has Liability insurance I change my advice.

    Have your car repaired where you want it repaired and let the body shop foreman argue the cost with his company's adjustor. Rent a car, even though your under 25 because the at fault insurance company is responsible for "Loss of Use". Finally, because you have a brand new car, make a claim against the other company for "Diminished Value" of a least 10% of your cost new including taxes and license.
    "Dimished Value" is that lower amount your car would be sold for by a dealer because of prior damage. If your damage is just the bumper and license plate frame, then there is not much damage. Again, this is your car so you have the final say as to who repairs it. "Proactive" is the word. I wish you continued better luck and success in dealing with this situation. :)
  • ldawg317ldawg317 Member Posts: 2
    Hi Everyone,

    My wife was recently in an auto accident in her 1993 Honda Civic. She had made a left turn into the center turn lane of a major boulevard when an SUV came out of nowhere and T-boned her. Anyways, I took a look at the car and the rear car door is totally smashed with some minor damage surround it and no mechanical damage. It currently has 125,000 miles and in great condition but my greatest fear is that my insurance company is going to total the car. I know that if they do they are going to pay me a lot less for it than I think its worth. Now I know that no final decision has been made but I can't afford to buy another car. My question is this - If the repair bill is greater than what the insurance company is willing to pay, can I offer to pay the difference (e.g. if the repair bill is $4000 but the insurance will only pay 2500)? Thanks so much for your help.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    An attorney will not take the case because there is not enough $$$ in it...while not minimizing your situation, and realizing that $100 or $200 lost is a lot of money, for an attorney to take the case at 1/3 contingency has no value whatsoever at say, $33 or $66...and to pay them an hourly rate will cost you more than your entire case is worth...

    Small claims court, you can add your lost earnings, and rental car and everything...my guess is that you will get your judgment at 100%, including filing fees...HOWEVER, collecting the judgment may be difficult, unless the other person has a full time job for wage garnishment...good luck...

    Idawg317...if they total it like you say, and offer you $2500 for a $4000 repair, my thinking is to ask them if you can keep the car (they will usually want it to sell to a junkyard for $300-900 and offset their loss payout)...

    Sometimes they will let you keep it for free, sometimes the adjuster may ask YOU to pay them that $300-900 salvage fee from your payout...only you can decide if the extra repair cost is worth it...note: you may or may not need a salvage title, depending on how the ins co does the deal...if they just consider it a $2500 repair, no salvage may be needed...if they do TOTAL it, salvage may be required...

    The sad part of cars is that once we pay them off and meticulously maintain them, and then they are wrecked, we can never recoup our cost, or find another one just like ours, as a new one will cost us at retail much more than our "baby" was worth when wrecked...
  • pwimseypwimsey Member Posts: 16
    >>This sucks though, even if your not at fault, some way it will cost you some amount of money. Can you go after the guy who caused this accident personally?Legally the guy who hit you is responsible for all of the (reasonable) expenses his negligence caused you, including lost wages. However, his agreement with his insurance company is probably not that broad, being limited to expenses more directly related to the accident (including, probably, rental car expenses, though). If you're using your own uninsured/underinsured coverage, there are going to be similar limitations.

    As several other people have pointed out, though, practically you may be limited to what's covered by the insurance agreement, since it may cost you more than $200 to recoup those lost wages.
  • ldawg317ldawg317 Member Posts: 2
    Hi Zurri,

    Thanks for your reply. According to a friend of mine, who used to be an insurance agent, told me that some insurance companies will let you go ahead and cover the costs beyond what the company is willing to pay to fix the car. However, the guy that hit my wife also has the same insurance as us. Due to this my friend also told me that I should be careful because, depending on the insurance company, some shadey things can happen from this. The part right now that is frustrating me is that we don't have a clear idea what happened during the accident. The traffic was clear for my wife to make a left hand turn out of the parking lot into the center turn lane and all of the sudden this guy came out of nowhere and hit my wife. There was no screeching of brakes or skid marks in the street to even imply that this guy tried to slow down and she was already out in the street so he must have seen her from where he was coming from (if he was paying any attention). My wife was taken away in an ambulance before she even had a chance to talk to the police, so we have no idea what was said. The police won't even let us see a copy of the police report - they told us that only the insurance adjuster is allowed to see it. Anyways, the most important part is that I need to get my wife's car fixed. I just spent a lot of money refurbishing older parts and I cannot afford to buy another car.
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    I don't think it matters if the car "came out of no where"... your wife pulled out in front of someone. She just didn't see them. I'm sorry to hear about your wife's injuries, hopefully she wasn't hurt bad.

    A lot of times there are no skid marks because of anti-lock brakes. And, maybe, the other guy didn't see your wife pulling out either.

    But, it seems to me the police can't hold back the police report because your wife was a part of that. I'd go down to the police station and talk to someone in person.

    Good luck and let us know what happens.

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    know what state you are in, I find it hard to believe that the police can withhold a copy of the report from the parties involved in the wreck...withhold it from ambulance chasing lawyers ;) :shades: ;) makes total sense to me, but from the parties???...I think not...
  • gts1gts1 Member Posts: 2
    My wife was driving a 2002 Toyota Sequoia and was hit in the right rear wheel by a Dodge Ramcharger doing 55mph that ran a redlight. This was in Tucson, AZ. The driver was 84 years old and was taken to the hospital but my wife was only bruised and shaken up. There were numerous witnesses and State Farm assumed liability for their insured although she only has $25k property damage limits. The Toyota only has 35k miles on it and is primo so needless to say....this is going to be fun since they "totalled the Sequoia"
    I have Uninsured Motorists as well as Underinsured Motorist but have discovered that in almost all states this only is for Bodily Injury not property damage. I have noticed that numerous messages posted state to use uninsured motorist to cover a loss...I don't think many states allow insurance companies to write property damage in their uninsured motorists clause. I know that Florida and Arizona do not. State Farm has already given us a comparable rental and now has turned the case over to our insurance company to handle under our collision.
    My point is: If it is going to cost me $35k or so to replace my 4x4 Sequoia Limited with all the options including title, registration and taxes with a comparable 2002, will I have to forfeit deductible and rental car fees from my final amount offered? I am assuming my insurance will try to recover the amount over and above the 25k limit via the insured's assets or something.
    Thanks....
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Deductible, yes. Rental car fees, no.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    in amounts like 50/100/50, which would mean, in order, $50K bodily injury (BI) max for 1 person, $100K BI per incident, and $50K PD (property damage)...

    If your damages exceed the value of the other guy's liability, you could use either your collision or your UM (UM is also called UIM, as in uninsured and underinsured motorist)...either way I believe there would be a deductible, which I would try and recoup un der the other guy's bodily injury insurance...technically, it is not done that way, but if you could recover an additional $500 from his injury insurance, it would fairly compensate you for a $500 deductible on your collision/UM insurance...just a thought to consider...
  • gts1gts1 Member Posts: 2
    After a couple more weeks I know alot more about the insurance world. My insurance company has informed me that in Arizona or Florida they cannot write property damage under uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, only bodily injury. I have received a check already from State Farm (Person's insurance that was cited as liable & who hit my car)to cover my collision deductible. My insurance is covering all but the rental cars and deductible under my collision coverage as a no fault accident (no rate increase) then they take car as salvage and take State Farm to subrogation to collect the maximum of their insured's limits. They then go after assets of the liable party to collect the difference. State Farm even echoed this policy is the norm for this type of case.
    Now I am finding that my own insurance has alot of different ideas about "fair market value" of my car. Of course to be fair, it had 38k miles but was really clean with every option available on a Sequoia. They are reassessing their original offer and adding the dealer installed options plus taxes, license and registration. I will probably leap for a new Toyota Sequoia 4x4 since my 2002 fared well in the crash with the Ramcharger doing 55mph. Except for the rear axle, right rear quarter panel and frame, it still looks good and not a single glass broke. The Dodge is history...radiator into engine, firewall.
    Oh well...thanks for replies.
  • waiwai Member Posts: 325
    Will somebody tell me that if I and my wife have three cars, if each car's insurance premium is $500.00 for both drivers, is that the total premium to cover all three cars is $1,500 or somewhere between $1,000 - $1,500. Any insurance company will offer a lower premium due to the fact that you cannot drive two cars with any driver at the same time.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    I believe most insurance companies would give lower insurance on the "extra" car. I know mine does (they call it a "pleasure use" vehicle), and others I've gotten quotes from over the years say the same thing.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • waiwai Member Posts: 325
    Gbrozen, thanks for your information, do you mind giving your current insurance name here?
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