Help with Insurance
Thread Starter
Now watch this drive
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Help with Insurance
Greetings!
This is truly the problem that won't go away. Going back a few weeks ago, I get hit by an uninsured driver, damages my car and now, out of all groups to screw me over, my insurance company is back at it. There are two problems that I've been having and since this is my first, real experience with such, I'm hoping that someone with a bit more experience might be able to lend a hand.
Instead of repairing the car, I would like the option to just replace it - even if it requires me adding additional money from my own pocket.
1. The appraisal they wrote for my car was more of an initial estimate. Obviously there was damage to the car that can only be found once they do a teardown on it. The problem I have with it is not the damage they can't find, but rather the damage that is there, which they don't want to compensate for.
For example, every body shop I've spoken to insists that any repairs will have to include blending of the paint with the moldings removed. This is about $600. The insurance company refuses to pay for it until the work is actually done and proof supplied. Now, even though the damage is there, if I decide to invest my money in a new vehicle, insurance still would keep their cash for that part of the job.
I can't comprehend how this is valid - as there is no mention in my policy of such a rule. It would almost be like an insurance company keeping the money for the rear clip, until they see a picture of the teardown. And holding it unless one is not performed.
And this one is even better..... I couldn't believe this when I heard it today....
2. I have rental car coverage on my policy. Since the other drive was uninsured, my policy allows for me to have a rental car "during a reasonable period of time while my car is getting repaired or replaced" - with a maximum as stipulated on the policy of 45 days.
Last week, my insurance company authorized the rental car from a local firm, set appropriate limits, and sent me on my way. I kept the car for a good week and then returned it.
Today, the adjuster calls me to tell me that if I do decide not to get my car repaired, insurance will not be responsible for the rental car payments - and now I will owe this inflated bill of about $190 to the rental car company. He claims that they are only responsible for rental while my car is getting repaired, and if I decide not to get it repaired - they were not responsible to begin with.
Any help?
This is truly the problem that won't go away. Going back a few weeks ago, I get hit by an uninsured driver, damages my car and now, out of all groups to screw me over, my insurance company is back at it. There are two problems that I've been having and since this is my first, real experience with such, I'm hoping that someone with a bit more experience might be able to lend a hand.
Instead of repairing the car, I would like the option to just replace it - even if it requires me adding additional money from my own pocket.
1. The appraisal they wrote for my car was more of an initial estimate. Obviously there was damage to the car that can only be found once they do a teardown on it. The problem I have with it is not the damage they can't find, but rather the damage that is there, which they don't want to compensate for.
For example, every body shop I've spoken to insists that any repairs will have to include blending of the paint with the moldings removed. This is about $600. The insurance company refuses to pay for it until the work is actually done and proof supplied. Now, even though the damage is there, if I decide to invest my money in a new vehicle, insurance still would keep their cash for that part of the job.
I can't comprehend how this is valid - as there is no mention in my policy of such a rule. It would almost be like an insurance company keeping the money for the rear clip, until they see a picture of the teardown. And holding it unless one is not performed.
And this one is even better..... I couldn't believe this when I heard it today....
2. I have rental car coverage on my policy. Since the other drive was uninsured, my policy allows for me to have a rental car "during a reasonable period of time while my car is getting repaired or replaced" - with a maximum as stipulated on the policy of 45 days.
Last week, my insurance company authorized the rental car from a local firm, set appropriate limits, and sent me on my way. I kept the car for a good week and then returned it.
Today, the adjuster calls me to tell me that if I do decide not to get my car repaired, insurance will not be responsible for the rental car payments - and now I will owe this inflated bill of about $190 to the rental car company. He claims that they are only responsible for rental while my car is getting repaired, and if I decide not to get it repaired - they were not responsible to begin with.
Any help?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: Lowell, Ma
i wish i knew more about this stuff...
but , why do'nt you let your body shop fix it, then let the ins. pay for it? i don't think they will give you a new car, since it isn't considered "totaled".
i think i have the reason for this part: "For example, every body shop I've spoken to insists that any repairs will have to include blending of the paint with the moldings removed. This is about $600. The insurance company refuses to pay for it until the work is actually done and proof supplied. Now, even though the damage is there, if I decide to invest my money in a new vehicle, insurance still would keep their cash for that part of the job. "
well, technically, it is only spoken that it will cost $600. there is no reciept of the job being done (obviously b/c you havcen't done it), and trust me, the price is never what they say. always a few $$ more or less. but in a way, it will be like the INS. is giving you 600$ in your pocket for you to spend however you want it. (i think this is what you want to do - but you can't) think of it this way...
when you need repairs done, do you go get estimates and then the INS. give YOU the money and then after repairs are done, YOU give it to the shop, no, ofcourse not. how would they know that the shop did'nt just estimate it will cost 1000$ to fix, but in reality only costs 500$, so you can keep 500$.
the INS. want to spend as little money on you as possible.
but , why do'nt you let your body shop fix it, then let the ins. pay for it? i don't think they will give you a new car, since it isn't considered "totaled".
i think i have the reason for this part: "For example, every body shop I've spoken to insists that any repairs will have to include blending of the paint with the moldings removed. This is about $600. The insurance company refuses to pay for it until the work is actually done and proof supplied. Now, even though the damage is there, if I decide to invest my money in a new vehicle, insurance still would keep their cash for that part of the job. "
well, technically, it is only spoken that it will cost $600. there is no reciept of the job being done (obviously b/c you havcen't done it), and trust me, the price is never what they say. always a few $$ more or less. but in a way, it will be like the INS. is giving you 600$ in your pocket for you to spend however you want it. (i think this is what you want to do - but you can't) think of it this way...
when you need repairs done, do you go get estimates and then the INS. give YOU the money and then after repairs are done, YOU give it to the shop, no, ofcourse not. how would they know that the shop did'nt just estimate it will cost 1000$ to fix, but in reality only costs 500$, so you can keep 500$.
the INS. want to spend as little money on you as possible.
Comptech Freak
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,555
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
how's the damage? if it's minor then for sure they will fix it
why don't you just let it repair then sell it on ur own? safe the hassel to deal with the insurance company
you are just making things complicated....it shouldn't be this way
why don't you just let it repair then sell it on ur own? safe the hassel to deal with the insurance company
you are just making things complicated....it shouldn't be this way
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 4
From: PA
Originally Posted by Revanche
...and now, out of all groups to screw me over, my insurance company is back at it.
Originally Posted by Revanche
...and since this is my first, real experience with such, I'm hoping that someone with a bit more experience might be able to lend a hand.
Originally Posted by Revanche
Instead of repairing the car, I would like the option to just replace it - even if it requires me adding additional money from my own pocket.
Originally Posted by Revanche
1. The appraisal they wrote for my car was more of an initial estimate. Obviously there was damage to the car that can only be found once they do a teardown on it. The problem I have with it is not the damage they can't find, but rather the damage that is there, which they don't want to compensate for.
For example, every body shop I've spoken to insists that any repairs will have to include blending of the paint with the moldings removed. This is about $600. The insurance company refuses to pay for it until the work is actually done and proof supplied. Now, even though the damage is there, if I decide to invest my money in a new vehicle, insurance still would keep their cash for that part of the job.
I can't comprehend how this is valid - as there is no mention in my policy of such a rule. It would almost be like an insurance company keeping the money for the rear clip, until they see a picture of the teardown. And holding it unless one is not performed.
For example, every body shop I've spoken to insists that any repairs will have to include blending of the paint with the moldings removed. This is about $600. The insurance company refuses to pay for it until the work is actually done and proof supplied. Now, even though the damage is there, if I decide to invest my money in a new vehicle, insurance still would keep their cash for that part of the job.
I can't comprehend how this is valid - as there is no mention in my policy of such a rule. It would almost be like an insurance company keeping the money for the rear clip, until they see a picture of the teardown. And holding it unless one is not performed.
Originally Posted by Revanche
And this one is even better..... I couldn't believe this when I heard it today....
2. I have rental car coverage on my policy. Since the other drive was uninsured, my policy allows for me to have a rental car "during a reasonable period of time while my car is getting repaired or replaced" - with a maximum as stipulated on the policy of 45 days.
Last week, my insurance company authorized the rental car from a local firm, set appropriate limits, and sent me on my way. I kept the car for a good week and then returned it.
Today, the adjuster calls me to tell me that if I do decide not to get my car repaired, insurance will not be responsible for the rental car payments - and now I will owe this inflated bill of about $190 to the rental car company. He claims that they are only responsible for rental while my car is getting repaired, and if I decide not to get it repaired - they were not responsible to begin with.
Any help?
2. I have rental car coverage on my policy. Since the other drive was uninsured, my policy allows for me to have a rental car "during a reasonable period of time while my car is getting repaired or replaced" - with a maximum as stipulated on the policy of 45 days.
Last week, my insurance company authorized the rental car from a local firm, set appropriate limits, and sent me on my way. I kept the car for a good week and then returned it.
Today, the adjuster calls me to tell me that if I do decide not to get my car repaired, insurance will not be responsible for the rental car payments - and now I will owe this inflated bill of about $190 to the rental car company. He claims that they are only responsible for rental while my car is getting repaired, and if I decide not to get it repaired - they were not responsible to begin with.
Any help?
My advice...Get the car to a body shop you trust and tell them to fix it. Tell the insurance company which shop is fixing it, then get out of the middle.
My insurance company has several approved body shops in the area. When our cars needed repaired (deer hits), I;
1. Called the insurance company, told them about the accident.
2. They recommended several shops
3. I took the car to one of them (the one who was an authorized MB and BMW repair facility, even though I was getting a Geo Prizm repaired!)
4. I let the shop deal with the insurance company.
5. I waited for the call the car was done.
I paid for nothing.
Thread Starter
Now watch this drive
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
The big issue was the amount of damage to the car. It took about $11,000 just on the initial estimate, and they valued a 2002 TL-P with 65k miles on it at $19,500. A bit far from being totaled despite the fact that I could replace the car immediately with a similar one for $14.5.
What made it worse was that the resale value of the car would be about $2k less than the amount of money they are putting in to repair the vehicle. Try selling a car with a major accident with frame damage coming up on the Carfax.
The other area hindering repair of the car was the rental car. The repairs were slated to take 8-12 weeks. Rental car coverage goes only for 30 days... so after that point, even though insurance would be controlling the work done on the car, I'd need to litigate against the other guy that hit me for the remaining rental money and hope that he pays up.
What made it worse was that the resale value of the car would be about $2k less than the amount of money they are putting in to repair the vehicle. Try selling a car with a major accident with frame damage coming up on the Carfax.
The other area hindering repair of the car was the rental car. The repairs were slated to take 8-12 weeks. Rental car coverage goes only for 30 days... so after that point, even though insurance would be controlling the work done on the car, I'd need to litigate against the other guy that hit me for the remaining rental money and hope that he pays up.
Comptech Freak
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,555
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Originally Posted by Revanche
The big issue was the amount of damage to the car. It took about $11,000 just on the initial estimate, and they valued a 2002 TL-P with 65k miles on it at $19,500. A bit far from being totaled despite the fact that I could replace the car immediately with a similar one for $14.5.
What made it worse was that the resale value of the car would be about $2k less than the amount of money they are putting in to repair the vehicle. Try selling a car with a major accident with frame damage coming up on the Carfax.
The other area hindering repair of the car was the rental car. The repairs were slated to take 8-12 weeks. Rental car coverage goes only for 30 days... so after that point, even though insurance would be controlling the work done on the car, I'd need to litigate against the other guy that hit me for the remaining rental money and hope that he pays up.
What made it worse was that the resale value of the car would be about $2k less than the amount of money they are putting in to repair the vehicle. Try selling a car with a major accident with frame damage coming up on the Carfax.
The other area hindering repair of the car was the rental car. The repairs were slated to take 8-12 weeks. Rental car coverage goes only for 30 days... so after that point, even though insurance would be controlling the work done on the car, I'd need to litigate against the other guy that hit me for the remaining rental money and hope that he pays up.
well.....now it is not really up to you to decide, the fact is your car is damaged and they are going to fix it. and live with it....that's life
if you don't like the way they repair then you can sell for it afterwards to get a new car, you don't have much choice.
i got my car hit twice by some stupid ppl and the bills were 11k and 8k for front and rear, i still have to live with my car. and it drives fine and it was perfectly repaired
and as for rental you dont need to worry, either they will make the shop pay for it or they will make the hitter pay for it. you have a right to refuse to pay while still waiting for your car. obviously it's the shop's fault for taking this long, so they will probably ask the shop to pay for it.
gd luck
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