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Questions About Auto Insurance and Accidents

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  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    Rather than rely on book value, see what it would cost you to buy a comparable vehicle in your area. THAT is what you're entitled to. These are high demand cars that usually command a premium price. I wouldn't bat an eye demanding $7500.

    Don't forget to get sales tax too because you'll have to pay on the replacement.
  • pankaj1pankaj1 Member Posts: 3
    Thank you Marsha and Cccomson,
    I don't think I have Gap Insurance... will look at my papers to verify....
    Any suggestion on how to do homework on comparable vehicle, especially in my case as it already have 1 accident in 2006... not sure how to find that kind of a comparable.... Or is it that I should buy carfax report (unlimited) and check each one for detail thats coming close to my car specifications?

    Thanx
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    No, no, no - as the "seller" in this situation you don't want to even think about the prior damage and how much it might have diminished the value of your car. Cross that bridge only if and when the insurance company raises it.

    There's a couple of ways to get a quick read on the market. Go to autotrader.com and do a search, first locally and then widen the range to see if there's much difference across the country. While this will only give you asking (rather than selling) prices, it will give you an idea of where you would need to start if you were looking to buy an '01 Civic. Next, go to ebay and look at both current and, more importantly, expired listings to see what folks are actually willing to pay. You should get a good feel for the market in short order.
  • sharpnssharpns Member Posts: 2
    Hi dear friends,

    I need help here. On Jan 30 2008, I was head-oned by another driver whose insurance company is all state. My vehicle is 07 Honda, purchased last Oct.. Allstate has taken 100% liability.
    As today (Mar. 12), my vehicle has not yet been fixed. The Honda dealership bodyshop guy told me it would be done by Mar 31. I was supposed to move to Houston due to new job at the end of Feb, however, I was unable to relocate because of my vehicle. I have to either take plane or rental car to Houston this Friday.

    Things turning ugly last Saturday, allstate cut my rental car because they only provide up to 30 days rental vehicle for me.
    Does anybody have similar experience about cutting rental by the insurance company? What should I do?

    Thank you :confuse:
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    here in GA, the at-fault company provides a rental vehicle until your vehicle is repaired...since your vehicle is an 07 Honda, they will most likely need new parts (as opposed to used parts that they often use on cars over 2 years old) and those new parts may be in short supply...

    The body shop is usually in contact with the adjuster so they know why the repair has been delayed...

    I would first contact the body shop and determine if they HAVE been in contact with Allstate, and then find out how long it will take to fix the car...

    Then, you might call an attorney (we often give out cursory information for free over the phone...if one doesn't, call around until you find one who will...:):):)...don't tell em I said so, tho) and simply ask if a liability company can cut off your rental before your car has been repaired...

    I would guess they couldn't do that, but something does come to my mind...if the body shop is so backlogged that THEY are the reason for the late repair, that may cause another problem...if so, one might argue that the body shop ought to pay for your rental, but I don't see that happening...

    Another thought that may solve the situation, even tho Allstate SHOULD be the one paying the rental bill...use your own rental policy which will give you another 30 days...

    To blow my own horn (who, me???) your situation is the EXACT reason why I tell folks that THEY should carry all the riders on their policy besides the minimum liability...medpay (enuf said), U/M, towing (unless you have a motor club membership) and rental car...the rental car rider usually costs maybe $25 yearly, and will often pay out $30 for 30 days for a $900 benefit...it is times like these and situations like yours that prove, to me, that my reasoning is correct...

    Let us know what you find out...BTW, if your state DOES mandate that liability carriers pay until the car is fixed, then a call to the insurance commissioner may do the trick...
  • sharpnssharpns Member Posts: 2
    Dear Marsha7

    Thank you for your reply. I am in Wisconsin now. So you mean I do need to seek help from attorney. My AAA insurnace covers rental, but they told me that, since allstate was handling the case, they would not offer my rental car.

    BTW, what is an insurance commissioner, how can I fins his phone no.?

    Thanks :(
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    that you should hire an attorney just to get a question answered, just call around some PI attorneys and often they will give a straight answer to a straight question over the phone, for free...come to think of it, that is a question that could be answered by the Insurance Commissioner...

    The Insurance Commissioner is a state official, probably elected (they are in GA), and they will be listed in the gov't blue pages...heck, if you put into your search engine "Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner" it will probably pull up the website and give you the contact number and may have a link to "ask a question" or "make a complaint"...I would try asking the question first...

    The commissioner's job is to enforce insurance laws to make the companies toe the line...in some states they are gutless SOBs but in some states the Commissioner wields the power for the consumer and is feared by the Ins Companies...

    If you still get a refusal from Allstate, send a copy to AAA so they will cover it...another thought...maybe AAA can tell you how long Allstate must pay, since AAA would be subject to the same law if they were the liability carrier...ask AAA first and maybe get the best answer of all...

    Am I brilliant or what???...it just takes me too long to finally get to the best answer...:):):):):)...
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Advise the Allstate adjuster his 30 day rental rule may apply to their Comprehensive and Collision losses, but it does NOT apply to their Property Damage Liability cases of which there is NO limit. Don't be compliant with them. :mad:
  • pankaj1pankaj1 Member Posts: 3
    Thanx Cccompson,
    One more question.... 'Tax Value' of the car in 'Vehicle Tax Bill' that County decides.... can I expect that price to be paid to me or may be I can, at least use that price in my negotiation.... right?
    This Tax Value is looking higher than expected value of the car....

    Thanx
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    Sorry, I have no idea.
  • brentgrovebrentgrove Member Posts: 1
    I just purchased a 2005 Mercedes C230 with 21,1000 miles as a Certified Pre-Owned from a Benz dealer. I love the car, but as I was going through the paperwork at home, I read through the details of the CARFAX report and discovered it was in an accident in 2006 and they didn't disclose that. When I addressed it the next day, they were very apologetic and said they will work it out with me because they had no idea (hmmm). I paid 24,200 for it and am frantically trying to gather info as to what would be a fair amount to ask back from them for the diminshed value. The repair "looks" great since it was done by that dealer (makes you wonder how they didn't know) and it supposedly had no frame damage. I need help! Honestly, had I known it was in an accident, I would not have bought it in the first place, but I really like the car.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    Why not just try to unwind the deal? The fact that they did the repair work yet didn't disclose it sounds real shady.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    but also it would pay to see what the damage was...if a fender was replaced or a door was popped out, with no damage to frame and all doors and windows close correctly (no warpage) than you may have what we call a "no harm, no foul" situation, and the car may be worth keeping...

    Minor damage should not cause much, if any, diminished value, simply because if it is purely cosmetic, and a body part is replaced, and nothing else is damaged, and everything works properly, you may have bought a great car...

    My 2000 Intrepid was backed into at the tip of the front, and the hood was repaired, perfectly, for $500.00...I cannot see why my car would suffer any diminished value simply because of some simple body work on the hood...

    I am not overlooking what the dealer may or may not have done, but if you are not adversley affected, it may be worth keeping the car...
  • cccompsoncccompson Member Posts: 2,382
    In addition to the good advice above, I'll throw out a couple of other things for your consideration.

    Since the selling store did the repairs, they should have the work order in their computer which will show precisely the extent of the work performed. Couple that with the language of the Carfax entry. Sometimes crash information is very specfic in indicating damage severity and other times it is not. The thing that will truly hurt the value is a Carfax record reflecting a serious crash. A hazy record is bad too because it just raises questions.
  • lilyowenlilyowen Member Posts: 125
    I don't want to be the skeptic here, but I smell the hint of something not said. I get the feeling that there is more to the story that maybe you don't know, or are not relaying to the forum.

    Allstate would not have a 30 day limit on their liability rental coverage -- unless they have reached a limits issue (in which case they would not be managing the repairs regardless) or the adjuster is new and unfamilliar with the most basic aspects of their policy.

    Parts on an 07 should not be hard to get, they are no longer on the assembly line, they should be only a few days out -- unless you live on an island somewhere.

    But my primary concern here, is that I'm getting the feeling that you are not, in any way, taking charge of this situation -- thereby opening yourself up to much greater expense. By this I mean, you should know why the repairs are delayed -- it is your car and you have a duty to follow up on the process. You also stated that you were UNABLE to relocate due to the car, I don't buy that for a second, and that is the PRIMARY reason I feel that there is more to this story, and that you should begin to get a better idea of what EXACTLY is happening with your vehicle.

    You will have little luck getting your carrier to provide rental at this point, because rental is tied directly their collision or comprehensive loss -- that they are not paying for currently, but it is worth a shot. If I were you, I would conference in the Body Shop manager and the adjuster or the adjuster's supervisor on the phone and really hash out what the issue is, and who is footing the bill for the extended rental. NEVER underestimate the power of a conference call.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,202
    "...had I known it was in an accident, I would not have bought it..."

    Now you know why they didn't tell you. I think I've heard salesfolks say a well repaired accident takes about 20% off the resale value. I would ask for at least that depending on where the damage was. Have you had it inspected by a third party. It may look good now but if everything starts to rust and bubble a year from now you may regret keeping it.

    The other screaming question I have is why would you do business with these guys? I can't imagine any dealer with an IQ above 10 who doesn't check to see if a car has accident history. If it's on Carfax there is no way they can say they didn't know.

    This sounds like a sleazy operation. If you can, return the car and get your money back. God knows what else is wrong with it that they didn't mention. :mad:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • dtownfbdtownfb Member Posts: 2,918
    One thing we all are missing is this is a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes. Mercedes probably has specific rules for what qualifies for their Certified Pre-owned cars. The OP may want to do some research on their process. If the dealer does not resolve this situation, I would make a call to Mercedes to "discuss" the situation.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,718
    A few things..

    Paint work on a late-model Mercedes will definitely lower the value... even if it is minor and perfect..

    In my experience, minor accidents don't make it into a Carfax report...

    Over time, any diminished value will.. diminish.. :) If the work is purely cosmetic, it won't mean much, when you get ready to sell this car in 2012.. (7-yr-old C-Class... different if it were an SL or an AMG model)

    As far as the dealer disclosing the previous work? They probably aren't required to.. But, I think the part about them not knowing is probably hooey... And, if you asked them directly about the issue before buying the car and they lied... then, I wouldn't want to do business with them.

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  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
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  • rakesh219rakesh219 Member Posts: 2
    I own a new 2007 Model Honda CR-V and unfortunately today i met with an accident. :( Now i am 20 yrs old and the car is insured on a family plan insurance and i am included in the policy. Now i was driving with my family when the accident happened; not getting too much into details of the accident the front right bumper got damaged pretty bad. Now according to the Michigan State law it turned out to be my fault even though it was clearly the other persons fault. Now i was not issued a ticket by the police for the accident i only got a code which the police wrote ( i guess that was the police form number) on my insurance card. Will my insurance rate increase a lot ?? :cry:
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,202
    Yes.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    it will probably increase at least some, and maybe a lot...nothing like vague, nonspecific answers to make you feel better, eh???
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Was it the other person's fault because he stopped toooo quickly when you were following tooooo close? :P ;)
  • rakesh219rakesh219 Member Posts: 2
    Okay i just found out that my rate increased :cry:. I am curious now if like down three to four years i buy a new or second hand car and change my insurance will i be able to get a lower rate....??? Because since the police did not give me a ticket it did not lower my points or something; not sure how the system works.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    It varies from company to company and from location to location but your rates will eventually come back down provided you maintain a good driving record.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Your rate (premium) increased only because your company paid for the damage of a crash caused by your negligence. That you were not issued a ticket in no way says you were not at fault. If you were not at fault, your company would not have paid and your rate would not have increased.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,202
    "...my rate increased..."

    Years ago I had a small, one car accident and filed a claim for about $600 with my own company. To my surprise, they raised my rates $300 for 3 years (that's $900).

    I dumped that company and went with one that "forgave" my one small claim and charged me half of what I was paying before. You might want to shop around if you feel you are not getting the best service.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    I really haven't taken a close look at my car insurance policy in maybe a decade. I probably need to set up a meeting with my agent to review my coverage. But, what do guys have on your liability coverage? I have 50,000/100,000 in bodily injury and 50,000 in property damage. Is this enough? A higher premium to increase coverage wouldn't bother me... if needed.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    All of my vehicles have 100/300 coverage on them.

    I'm sure that some of the experts will tell you to up your coverage and to look at acquiring an 'umbrella' policy as well.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,202
    "...Is this enough?..."

    That's the $64000 question isn't it? I carry 300/500 on all my vehicles. cost about $100 a year more than legal minimum.

    The way I see it, you need enough coverage so that the insurance company will provide you with a lawyer but not so much that you become an attractive target for bogus lawsuits.

    It also depends on what other assets you have to protect. If you have a fine country estate like me, you go higher. If you use your beater car to tow your house trailer from slum to slum you go lower. ;)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    The many factors determining limits of Liability should include future income that can be garnished to satisfy a lawsuit. Future income includes the profit from your investments whether real estate or stock market after retirement.

    Basic policy limits should be high enough to enable and qualify you to have a 2 million dollar Umbrella when you are above the norm in status.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    I have 2 kids (both male) in college, 20 and 23 yrs of age, and 250K/500K liability coverage limits and 100K of property damage.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    Thanks for the info michael,euphenum and oldfarmer. I called my agent, went down to their office (conviently located just across the street) and increased my coverage to a million freaking dollars... under their Umbrella Policy. :shades:

    With the $80 a year reduction in premiums for my wife and myself, under the Umbrella Policy, the total cost will be about $120 a year more.

    The minimum of liability insurance to get the Umbrella policy was 300,000/500,000 . The Umbrella Policy is a personal liability insurance which would protect up to 1,000,000. I believe that's how it works... will need to read up a bit.

    edited: I have 2 kids as well mikefm. My agent said I was "a bit" underinsured... but it looks to have been substantial. They also tried to upsell me on additional life insurance.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    My agent said I was "a bit" underinsured

    I would expect a "good" insurance agent to review my coverages and make recommendations as I mature, get married, have kids, retire, etc, etc. With 2 kids, you've been under insured for some time now.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    I would expect a "good" insurance agent to review my coverages and make recommendations

    Oh, they have. I've gotten phone messages and letters requesting a insurance review of my coverage. I pretty much ignored them as I thought it wasn't necessary. After reading some posts here at Edmunds, and having a friend sued for a lot of money over a motor vehicle accident... I've taken it a bit more seriously.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    things that you can be sold may not be worth it over your life, it is my belief, from working the injured side of auto accidents, and seeing everything that goes wrong when one does not buy enough coverage, I believe that in the field of auto insurance, the more riders you buy the better coverage you really do have...

    Plus, one often finds that once the base policy premium is determined, say for a 25/50 policy, increasing limits to 100/300 or 250/500 rarely costs much more, as the cost per thousand of the insurance drops dramatically...

    Also, million dollar umbrella policies are often only about $150 a year more...so, one can protect himself against almost everything...

    Assuming a fault state, my list is liability, comp and collision, medpay, U/M, rental car insurance, and possibly towing...

    Rental car insurance is about $25 a year, but may pay out up to $900, towing for $10 may save you a tidy sum if your car is towed a number of miles...

    Medpay, I have said that before, and U/M with a million dollar U/M umbrella, in case you suffer serious injuries and the other idiot has minimum limits...
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    A web site I was looking at said umbrella policy's are recommended for anyone with assets over $100,000. Otherwise just raising your liability coverage would be okay.

    Speaking of insurance, I'm glad I have earthquake insurance. We had a rare earthquake in Louisville, Kentucky this morning that registered a 5.4 on the reciter scale. I was laying in bed, half asleep, and it seemed the roof just started shaking violently and loudly. I thought it was a downburst... a sudden and strong gust of wind. It was over and done with in about 4-5 seconds. My daughter then asked, "what was that?" My wife relied it was an earthquake. :surprise:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    You are equating the resultant premiums following your at fault crash with the cost of your at fault crash. The company underwriter equated your at fault crash as an indication you were less safe to insure as your crash could have been far worse. You lost your "Safe Driver Discount". (And your Claim Free Discount)

    That another company looked at it differently is why that company is very cheap claim wise. ;)
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,202
    "...My wife replied it was an earthquake..."

    We had one like that in NY a few years back early one morning about dawn. When the shaking stopped my wife replied that it was to early for that "nonsense". :P

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,202
    "...The company underwriter equated..."

    Yea, I knew one had nothing to do with the other but I felt a bit of outrage that it worked out like that. As it turned out it motivated me to shop around and save several times $900 over the course of time. :) Ahh the joy of competition.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    We had one like that in NY a few years back early one morning about dawn. When the shaking stopped my wife replied that it was to early for that "nonsense".

    LOL. Somehow I knew when I posted that, that oldfarmer would come up with some type of early morning sexual innuendo joke. Things certainly were rocking and a rolling... for about 5 seconds. :blush:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,202
    "...Things were rocking..."

    Just saw your quake story on the news. Seem it did a bit of damage too.

    BTW, if you took my comments as sexual innuendo, your mind must have been in the gutter too. :P

    If the tiles on your roof fall onto your car during an earthquake, which policy pays for the damage to the car?

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    BTW, if you took my comments as sexual innuendo, your mind must have been in the gutter too.

    Same thing happened on the weather channel this morning. One of the anchors said something like "...if your bed was shaking this morning in Illinois..." and as they cut to a graphic she added "...not like that..." to the other two.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    If the tiles on your roof fall onto your car during an earthquake, which policy pays for the damage to the car?

    Well, I think once the damage reached $500,000, then the Umbrella Policy would cover the rest up to a million. My 99' Buick Regal doesn't book that high though... with the way dealerships undervalue your trade and all. ;)

    But, I suppose homeowners insurance would get the first call, since the damage would be earthquake related, and the vehicle parked in my driveway.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    The Comprehensive Coverage of the auto policy covers the "Falling Objects" including roof tiles as a result of EQ less the stated Deductible.

    Many Independent Agents would increase the basic limits of Liability on a client's policy and if the insured balked, the agent would have the client sign a statement," I've been offered higher limits of Liability and choose to reject the higher limits".

    When faced with rejecting what was recommended, few signed the waiver.

    A year later, the same process applied to Umbrella policies for the selected chosen.
  • kennazkennaz Member Posts: 1
    how can i determin if my insurance company is giving me a fair price for my vehicle if they claim it is totaled
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    Edmunds, KBB, NADA, and local papers to see if the price is fair...be sure the adjuster looks up the right make and model, as I have seen adjusters make offers on Accord DX when the client had an Accord EX-L...
  • atwnsw1atwnsw1 Member Posts: 21
    I was in a relatively minor accident when a person backed into my 2006 Porsche Boxster S. They are at fault and the accident happened in Georgia and their insurance company is State Farm. I bought it last year brand new from a dealer for $47,500 and live in Tampa, Florida where it is being repaired. My car only has 7,500 miles.

    The total damage is only $1,600 (based on estimate - however could be higher). Replacing front bumper, grill and headlights.

    I know the damage is relatively minor but I have no doubt that it will cost me at least another $1,500 to $2,000 in diminished value now that it has been in an accident when I go to re-sell the car.

    I am aware there is a high probablility that I will get nothing from the insurance company but am willing to try; therefore, I also don't want to sink a ton of $$$ into fighting them by hiring an attorney.

    So, my option is to try and fight them myself. I did a search on the internet and found several "specialists" on fighting a diminished value claim and they tried selling me $600 services that I would need.

    I have to believe with all the resources on the internet that somebody has posted sample letters and information that will assist me in fighting this without spending $600.

    I don't mind spending a couple of hundred but need a direction on where to get started.

    Can somebody help?

    Thanks in advance.
  • mra367mra367 Member Posts: 3
    I am in the same situation. My attorney says the many diminished value appraisals are a scam. There is one law office in Arizona that handles it on contingency, nationwide, but not if you were injured.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    dealer how much less they would offer you on a trade-in due to the accident, and present that to the insurance...

    While I am not an adjuster, if a Porsche only has $1,600.00 in damage, it sounds like a dented fender or scratched piece of chrome, as NOTHING only costs $1600 on a Porsche except maybe a replacement ashtray or cigar lighter...:):):):):)

    So, if it is truly light cosmetic damage, maybe there really is NO diminished value at all...
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