Questions About Auto Insurance and Accidents

kyfdx

I wouldn't let it go, either way...

Those shifty-eyed stoners might call the police later, and say you hit them!!

How are you going to 'splain that to the cops? You've got body damage on your car.. and no police report? You in a heap 'o trouble, then...

See... you have to imagine the cops are all like Jackie Gleason in Smokey and the Bandit, and you are a carpet bagger.. You'll start to see it my way..

tidester

Those shifty-eyed stoners might call the police later, and say you hit them!!

They would have a hard time 'splaining why they didn't report a hit and run promptly!

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

kyfdx

That's just the point... they are reporting it.. You are the one that drove away.

Doesn't matter what really happened... First one in might win..

I wouldn't mind missing the first act to protect my... assets..

I guess we have more scam artists where I live..

Mr_Shiftright

You don't have to file a police report on such slight damage actually.

Of course, I'd still take the stoner's license and plate # regardless, even though it's all likely to be phoney or no such address. You can tell I've been through this before---LOL!

I can spot a deadbeat a mile away. You might as well ask your dog to fix your car.

CASE IN POINT: (This Actually Happened To Me, word for word):

You come out of a store and you see someone getting into the car next to you. Their door hits yours. You walk up, notice a dime-sized small "ding". There is a family of 6 in the car. A baby is crying. Nobody speaks English apparently. They say No No...and start to pull out.

Do you leap in front of the their car?

Do you jot down their license plate, call 911 and report a dime-sized ding?

Do you have DMV trace the plate, track them down, file a Small Claims and ask for the $100 from Mr. Dent?

Or do you laugh and go home?

qbrozen

None of the above.

I flip them off, listen to very loud music on the way home while screaming, sulk for 2 days, then eventually get over it.

sky23213

Well, in those particular circumstances, I'd probably tuck in my shirt, stand so they can not drive away and very demonstratively dial 911 to report an accident and a possible hit and run. I have 0 tolerance for deadbeats and scammers.
Now on the issue of calling the police or not, I'd stick to Marsha/Bob's advice - definitely call.

robr2

I flip them off, listen to very loud music on the way home while screaming, sulk for 2 days, then eventually get over it.

Man - what a softie you are. Now I'd never get over it!!

marsha7

position, which, unlike the weather, the Democrats and the Republicans, NEVER seems to change...

Tickets to a play or no tickets to no play (that, my friends, is a PLAY on words...I really do entertain myself, sometimes...I wish I could be a standup comic in front of myself, but then where woould I throw the rotten tomatoes???), it is better to get the police report, because, people NEVER seem to remember what happened an hour later, which is how a driver's mirror can be torn off, yet, somehow, the passenger door was crushed in...

Despite the errors made by police, a report is better then no report, because no report is a true license to lie, cheat, steal, fabricate, and simply make up a story...

Mr_Shiftright

really? for a dime-size door ding?

Well okay---it's not that high a priority with me, but then, maybe if it were a brand new Benz or something....

marsha7

if you expect him or his insurance to pay, would be helpful to have a police report...if you do not want it repaired, forgo the report...my basic assumption is that someone is always expecting the other side to pay for damages, so the report, IMO, is mandatory...

imidazol97

But they likely don't have insurance appears to be the assumption. Long ago, Ohio passed a mandatory insurance law. More than 30% of cars stopped in the city of Dayton in the floating traffic checks they used to do did not have insurance. IIRC many people did not have licenses, drivers and car. I suspect the number is much, much higher these days. The idea is to beat out anyone who tries to make them responsible.

jipster

Before I started reading this discussion, I probably would have let someone go on their word, that they would repay me out of pocket for a minor fender bender... without a police report. Not now though. We may be able to spot some deadbeats a mile away, but we all should know you can't always judge a book by it's cover. The cleanest, most sober non-stoned person could end up screwing you over just as much as the percieved deadbeat. Good advice marsha7.

euphonium

on the I 5 & it spent the day with us at the lake. It looked like a Muffin so we called it Muffie. It answered to Muffie, but a day later I placed an ad in the local paper which included "identify and pay for ad". The owners called and said the dog's name was Buffie and they were right so they came to pick it up in a borrowed car promising to pay for the add later. Oh Well!

Mr_Shiftright

Maybe the dog was running away from home. You messed him up! LOL!

Remember that great story about the insurance frauds they busted in New York. Seems a car full of guys veered in front of a car and then deliberately slammed on the brakes. Unfortunately, the car they tried to scam was driven by a Chief of Police and they also forgot to remove their football helmets fast enough for him not to notice. JAIL!

kyfdx

..wasn't about a dime-size ding... It was about Shifty busting some arrogant BMW owner's mirror.. I think in that case, if I were Shifty (something I dream about, of course), I'd want a police report.. just so everything stays straight..

The scenario about the door ding.. I'm with Q on that one.. sulk for two days, then get over it.

My advice (which is worth what you pay for it), in general, is still to get a police report..

regards,
kyfdx
(doesn't even play a lawyer on TV)

sky23213

I deliberately emphasized "those particular circumstances. Let them get away with a ding this time... might get the idea that anything is fine...

Mr_Shiftright

I believe in karma...people who pull this crap day after day usually end up gunned down in the street (figuratively I mean but sometimes literally).

The guy whose mirror I busted got in the CHP cop's face and demanded I get a ticket for "reckless driving". To which the cop looked him up and down and said: "yeah....right...."

Actually i didn't break it...it just popped out of its holder (two sockets). So I said "here, let's see if it pops back because it isn't scratched"

So then he looks at me all wild-eyed (like Renfield in the old Dracula movie--remember the guy who eats the flies?) and screams "DON'T TOUCH MY CAR!!!"

His personalized license plate had the word "DEAL" in it. I've always dreamed about sneaking up some night and taking a magic marker and crossing out the letters before "deal" and adding "BF" to the plate letters.

oldfarmer50

"...30%...do not have insurance..."

Here in NYS you can't register your car or get plates without proof of insurance. Also, I believe,if you let your insurance lapse the company notifies DMV and they suspend your license and registration.

Maybe I'm too goody-goody but would anybody still drive after that? I mean,you know you're going to get caught right? Are other states less vigilant?

qbrozen

Are other states less vigilant?

yes. far far less, in some cases.

When I register cars in NJ, all I need to do is write down my policy number and company. I don't actually have to have insurance on the car. As far as I know, I could make it up OR I could have the insurance on one car and not the others.

mikefm58

yes. far far less, in some cases.

When I register cars in NJ, all I need to do is write down my policy number and company. I don't actually have to have insurance on the car. As far as I know, I could make it up OR I could have the insurance on one car and not the others.

And Florida is even worse. I don't even need to write down my policy number on the registration renewal form. For the life of me, I don't know how one would get caught if they never got pulled over or got in an accident.

imidazol97

In Ohio, despite the law passed about 15 years ago to strengthen the financial responsibility to protect the rest of us, when I register my car all I do is sign a note that I am financially responsible or have insurance. I've forgotten the exact wording, but I don't have to show anything.

Like yeah 90% of the people I see getting plates actually have insurance> Supposedly the state does random checks by mail. I've gotten about 20 jury duty notices in 25 years; zero insurance proof requests. I really feel safe driving around the metro area if another driver hits me.

sky23213

Man... now that's the other extreme... sad.
But I hope you did not get me wrong - I'm not the dink to get mad over a ding. I've backed into my neighbour and he laughed it off; I would have done the same - a ding or a scratch to keep company to the many others is really nothing, especially on a 4-5 year old car. It's the irresponsibility and the "I don' give a dime about your car" attitude toward the issue. As the other posters pointed out,those are the people that drive without insurance and in the long run we all pay for it.
Did I mention I have zero tolerance to deadbeats :sick: .

Mr_Shiftright

My friend had an interesting experience. He's moving at 10 mph in a parking lot and a car shoots out and slams into him.

out comes a HYSTERICAL young person, pleading, weeping....seems like this person (new driver) just had a major accident YESTERDAY that was their fault, and now has just wiped out a Lexus LS430 with their rental car.

I mean, on the one hand, you're PO'd but on the other hand, you have to feel the tragedy of this person's incompetence, bad luck or whatever.

And no, he didn't let them off the hook of course, but he was nice to them.

pointzero

I am a new user and not sure if this is the appropriate way to post this question. If it's not, please pardon me.

I am going to buy a new Honda Fit and this is my first car, and I don't know much about cars and how the car insurance works.

My question is if my car is involved in a very bad accident that makes it beyond repair, and I am not at fault, will I be able to claim anything from insurance, and what type of coverage should I have bought to be able to make those claims?

Thanks!

marsha7

around mandatory insurance is the way they do it here in GA...produce an insurance card when you register for the year...then cancel the insurance, receive a pro-rated refund, and then drive uninsured...if they would lock up the uninsured for a month, they might think twice about doing it, now the fine is $200-$1000...

Which gives me an opportunity to stand on my soapbox and, in addition to recommending medpay like I do, is a good reason to carry uninsured motorists insurance, because you have to insure yourself against the uninsured idiot, since the system does not punish them (in GA) with a substantial penalty...something like what I recommend, 30 years in the electric chair, or Chinese water torture, or hanging in the public square, or watching 1 year's worth of nonstop Jerry Springer reruns...

cccompson

"Collision" coverage is what you'll need for this. It will be required if you're financing the vehicle. You'll need other types of coverage as well - liability and comprehensive at a minimum.

Do some research, talk with some agent, and get quotes from several companies before you buy a policy.

Mr_Shiftright

And don't forget GAP insurance if you finance your new car. This covers the difference between what the insurance company will pay off on a "total" and what you actually owe on the loan (often not the same number).

fezo

"something like what I recommend, 30 years in the electric chair, or Chinese water torture, or hanging in the public square, or watching 1 year's worth of nonstop Jerry Springer reruns..."

You ever hear of cruel and unusual punishment? You're going to have to drop the Jerry Springer one.

I think I have carried uninsured motorist for as long as I've owned a car which is more time than I like to think about. I'd never have a policy without it. Of course I tend to keep collision on cars that are past worrying about it, too.

marsha7

thought to the Jerry Springer punishment, but I do believe it will fall within the 8th Amendment and be allowed as ALMOST cruel and unusual punishment...

If the Supreme Court overturns Springer, then I will substitute a year's worth of Maury Povich, simply because I KNOW who my Daddy is...:):):)

fezo

Whoa! I guess you do!

coody

My car has been declared a total loss by the at fault other car insurance company. I have my total loss car fixed just one month ago before the accident. The repair costs were approximately $500. I have all the receipts. Can I request the other car insurance to include $500 repair costs into the compensation/offer for the replacement of my total loss car?

euphonium

No. Those maintenance repairs were to keep your car at the value determined by the insurance company.

Mr_Shiftright

Nope. Not for repairs. Had you added a fancy stereo or NAV or some such, you might have gotten a % of that as a depreciated improvement.

The value they declared on your car presumed it was in good repair.

fezo

Really? A dozen years ago some guy decided he had been stopping at stop signs all his life and he wasn't going to do it anymore. Unfortunately I was in the intersection at the time.

They totaled my 85 Accord and gave me a number but when I showed I had put close to a grand into it having just committed to keeping it they upped the offer.

Of course when I tried to negotiate yet more they pulled my rental so you can't be an idiot about it...

Mr_Shiftright

Well often they lowball you and if you scream they cough up some more, but in fact the Fair Market Value of any car is not determined by whether you have new brakes or got the window fixed last month. Every car needs brakes and windows, it's not some special addition to the value.

But if they took pity on you, hey, that's great.

I think it very much depends on what you recently spent the money on, whether it moves them to give you more.

marsha7

routine repairs are simply not compensable, as they do not change the value of the vehicle, except a rebuilt engine or transmission...

Having said that, if the adjuster is seriously lowballing you, then putting up a squawk may get you some more money, not because of the maintenance you put in the car, but simply because the adjuster had room to play...

Of course we always assume that the adjuster has room to play...

coody

I got injured in an auto accident. The other car is at fault. I went to the hospital and doctors offices. However, the hospital and doctors office did not charge the third party, the other car insurance company, but my medical insurance directly. Except for the co-payment, all the medical bills have been paid by my medical insurance. It is predicable the future medical charges will be continuously paid by my medical insurance. Does it mean the other car auto insurance does not have to pay my medical treatments? Will it affect my compensation in the future? How shall I do? Thank you for your answer.

marsha7

GA, billing the at-fault insurance directly will get you nowhere, because they will not pay your bills by direct pay...since most medics and hospitals know how to bill health ins electronically, they bill them and get the monkey off YOUR back of immediate payment...

When you settle with the at-fault ins, if your health ins wants to subrogate (be paid back what they paid out) then you will have to pay them out of your settlement...

If you are REALLY lucky, they will NOT subrogate and you may legally put that money in your own pocket as additional pain and suffering...

Depending on your state laws, if you do not have to inform the at-fault if your bills were paid, then do not do so, so when you submit bills you can argue damages on the basis of your bills, not your unpaid bills...

Before all is paid, go to the hospital and medics and ask for itemized copies of your bills, and, if you are lucky, there won't be any payments showing yet...don't delay, and, most importantly, don't break the law...this is where an attorney may be of useful service to you, being familiar with the law...

peter48

Hello!

I'm having a LOT of issues with car insurance, and I would *really* appreciate some help with my predicament.
Here's the deal --

I'm 21 years old and recently got a full-time job at a company deep in the heart of suburbia. I commute by bus about twenty miles each way from my home in a highly urban city area (a high rise in downtown New Haven, Connecticut).

I will not be able to use the bus any more for the winter because I'll probably turn into a frozen pancake on a very dark interstate. Also, the bus doesn't travel on weekends -- I'll be doing weekend work soon. I'm expected to travel to business gatherings and client sites as well, which I can't do right now.

Some stats:
I have just received my license.
I'm a 21 year old male (prime insurance target).
I have no family whatsoever. I am entirely on my own.
I live downtown in the heart of four local college's night life scene. I also have to use public garages in a very high-damage zip code.

All these factors sort of coalesce into insurances wanting me to pay them more than my car payment would be per month for the "privilege" of driving.

The best quote I can get is 460 dollars per month with a large down payment for all minimum coverage, using 2001 - 2003 cars such as the Honda Civic. I've never seen a number below 400 no matter what car I choose.

I'm not sure how I am supposed to start my life out with prices like that, but everyone sort of expects me to drive.

Advice is appreciated. Has anyone had luck negotiating rates or being reconsidered based upon unique criteria?
I have no problem budgeting in a car and an initial insurance rate of 200-something per month, but the 500 will leave me rather broke after rent, utilities and student loans -- not to mention the multitude of upkeep expenses that come with a motor vehicle.

-Peter

cccompson

The only advice I can offer is to shop some more. Even granted that young males get killed on rates, those numbers seem high for basic coverage. Are you including collision and comprehensive?

kiawah

Get an old reliable beater, which doesn't need collision coverage on your vehicle.

Mr_Shiftright

Well if you could buy a car without financing it, and if it wasn't too valuable a car, you could just carry liability insurance with no comp/collision. Also you could probably petition for a review of your rate after 6 months or so of safe driving. You're a newbie so they punish you until you can prove yourself. Have you checked online with people like Esurance?

jeffyscott

He might get hammered even with just liability.

Allstate.com has a thing to get a quick estimate with minimal info. Since I was curious if the shockingly high insurance included collision, I put in an assumed a zip code in that city and the rate came up at over $400/mo. for minimum liability coverage only for a 21 year old male with no prior insurance. One of the items they ask is how long have you had continuous insurance, I am guessing never having had any (since he had no license) is probably a factor in the high rates.

I'd ask them when you can expect the rate to go down. It may be easier to deal with that high rate, if you know it is only for 6 months or a year. Whatever you do don't have any crashes or get any tickets.

And here I thought $125 per month, with collision and 50/100/50 liability was a lot for my 20 year old son (after a recent crash)...

Mr_Shiftright

I thought "redlining" on zip codes was illegal for insurance companies>

jeffyscott

Not sure what that term means, but clearly they can charge more or less based on your address.

marsha7

Altho this may not be factual, I believe that you CAN set ins rates by ZIP code, based on crime rates, cost of living, etc., but you cannot set rates solely by race...

kyfdx

I'm taking a cab..

peter48

Thanks to everyone for your advice, I appreciate all the help you are trying to give me!!!

Now - zip code most certainly does play a difference in insurance.

I priced the same car in the city I work in (zip code 06492) and compared it to my home address(zip code 06510). Insurance is roughly half in a zip code 15 miles away.

A lot of the cost hike must come from the fact that this is area is the south end of the Yale campus, where all the local Universities meet up for nightlife. My entire street is even closed off by police cars at night to accommodate the unending flood of trashed twenty-somethings.The people causing the risk might not pay insurance for this zip code, but I would imagine I am carrying the risk for them?

Ironically, since I live here and everything but work is in walking distance, I would never have to drive at night time and my car would be sitting safely on the seventh floor of a garage. But alas, I know insurances don't look at stuff like that.

qbrozen

either that or... hell, if you figure $400 insurance plus $300 car payment ... couldn't you RENT a car for less??

stever

Zipcar/Flexcar don't seem to be in your area yet, but you may want to ask them if they have expansion plans in the near future. Zipcar is supposedly heading that way (link). It may not work for commuting purposes though.