My CL was hit two weeks ago and now the guy is denying it
#42
I'm not surprised your insurance company won't do anything for you since you have a deductible for $500. Basically any body damage under $500 is your financial responsibility and that's the terms you've purchased your insurance under. You can't really blame the insurance company for this... You signed up for the terms of your coverage...
I'm surprised that your insurance company won't just waive your deductible since this is a clear cut liability. Most bigger insurance companies would do this as a service to their customer. You might want to consider switching insurance company.
I'm amazed at how his insurance company can stupidly deny you. Was it a direct hit to your bumper? Where was the damage to the bumper? Was it on the side of the bumper or the middle? If it's a dead smack center hit to the bumper, I'm just amazed at how the other adjust can deny you.
Here is my solution to you: Let the other adjuster know that you will file a complaint with your State's Department of Insurance given that you got hit dead smack in the middle of the vehicle and you were unfairly denied. If he does not budge, I would suggest you file a complaint with your State Department of Insurance. I can almost guarantee you that they will pay immediate attention to your claim (a little secret I learned when I was an adjuster in CA). I think most states have an electronic interface to file complaints against an insurance company. State does not mess around with claims, seriously.
If all else fails, there is small claims court. you'll be in and out in 5 minutes after you provide photos of your damage to the judge.
EDIT: I'm not sure how your state operates as far as underwriting is concerned, but I have a feeling most State operate very similarly to CA. Here is the case with accidents and how most insurance companies deal with them: If you file a claim and the damage is under your deductible, there really is no "claim" since there will be no expenses that your insurance company will incur. So... as far as your insurance company is concerned, there was no accident since there was no claim. Bottomline: No impact on your premium.
I'm surprised that your insurance company won't just waive your deductible since this is a clear cut liability. Most bigger insurance companies would do this as a service to their customer. You might want to consider switching insurance company.
I'm amazed at how his insurance company can stupidly deny you. Was it a direct hit to your bumper? Where was the damage to the bumper? Was it on the side of the bumper or the middle? If it's a dead smack center hit to the bumper, I'm just amazed at how the other adjust can deny you.
Here is my solution to you: Let the other adjuster know that you will file a complaint with your State's Department of Insurance given that you got hit dead smack in the middle of the vehicle and you were unfairly denied. If he does not budge, I would suggest you file a complaint with your State Department of Insurance. I can almost guarantee you that they will pay immediate attention to your claim (a little secret I learned when I was an adjuster in CA). I think most states have an electronic interface to file complaints against an insurance company. State does not mess around with claims, seriously.
If all else fails, there is small claims court. you'll be in and out in 5 minutes after you provide photos of your damage to the judge.
EDIT: I'm not sure how your state operates as far as underwriting is concerned, but I have a feeling most State operate very similarly to CA. Here is the case with accidents and how most insurance companies deal with them: If you file a claim and the damage is under your deductible, there really is no "claim" since there will be no expenses that your insurance company will incur. So... as far as your insurance company is concerned, there was no accident since there was no claim. Bottomline: No impact on your premium.
Last edited by Mongolian; 09-04-2008 at 08:48 PM. Reason: Read few last posts...
#43
The Third Ball
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Not true. they came out the two times I was in an accident. One Glendale PD...one CHP.
#44
この道は毛むくじゃらのマンコだらけ..
#45
you need to sell your car and get something you can afford......if you cannot up front the $500, you should not be driving this car..........
#46
I now drive an accord....
Thread Starter
#47
Q('.')=O
iTrader: (1)
that sucks. about a year or two ago my sister pulled up to a gas station and couldnt move cus there was a car in front of her and some dude got in his car which was parked adn backed into her even though she honked the horn like a madman. he left a big dent in her car. he came out and was DEAF so didnt hear the horn and was writing stuff on a pad so my sister could read, then offered a check for $200 to repair the damage - haha that little amount wouldnt cover shit - so she was like no read my lips give me your insurance info. then as she calls insurance they said the guy totally DENIED it happening and she was of course fuckign furious but nothing she could do so she had to pay the ~$700 repair herself. fucking assholes.
#49
Drifting
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that sucks. about a year or two ago my sister pulled up to a gas station and couldnt move cus there was a car in front of her and some dude got in his car which was parked adn backed into her even though she honked the horn like a madman. he left a big dent in her car. he came out and was DEAF so didnt hear the horn and was writing stuff on a pad so my sister could read, then offered a check for $200 to repair the damage - haha that little amount wouldnt cover shit - so she was like no read my lips give me your insurance info. then as she calls insurance they said the guy totally DENIED it happening and she was of course fuckign furious but nothing she could do so she had to pay the ~$700 repair herself. fucking assholes.
#50
Chapter Leader
(Northeast Florida)
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Show of hands: who here has heard of Erie insurance?
They shouldn't have had you contact his company - period. That's THEIR job. If you wanted to go through the other guy's insurance company, they still should have reported the claim on your behalf and have a claim adjuster from the other guy's company contact you. You essentially did their job for them. And when you chose to go through the other guy's insurance company, you also saved Erie money cause they don't have to pay for the damages caused by the other guy. And guess what? Your premium is going to go up anyway.
They shouldn't have had you contact his company - period. That's THEIR job. If you wanted to go through the other guy's insurance company, they still should have reported the claim on your behalf and have a claim adjuster from the other guy's company contact you. You essentially did their job for them. And when you chose to go through the other guy's insurance company, you also saved Erie money cause they don't have to pay for the damages caused by the other guy. And guess what? Your premium is going to go up anyway.
#51
anytime there is body damage to my car and it's the other party's fault ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS( did i say ALWAYS) get a police report/ cop to come out. The reason why is 2 reasons.
#1. what the police says in the court of law stands up more than an average joe.
#2. most insurance companies quit argueing with each other if they got a 3rd party(the cop or police dept) draft a statement of what happened and the other guy cited.
When i was in college I got rear ended in my Accord(just chewed up the rear bumper on the Accord) what happened was i was coming up on a red light and coasting down and this LOADED old lady was coming out of a grocery store and rear ended me. I called the cops on my cell phone. she didn't want me to call them cause she knew she was gonna get cited. she offered to pay for it 100% plus 200 bucks i said no because if she skipped town or something i'm Shit out of luck. then the cops didn't want to cite her due to she donated like 2-3 million dollars of land i found out later to the city of Lima. I waited about 3-4 days after the accident i went to pick up the accident report (to turn into my insurance company) they said we're gonna determine it as "no one at fault" . the lady reporting officer said this.
I said how was she not at fault when i was going forward slowly and she re-ended me. I said I wanna talk to your supervisor. I her supervisor what happened. they ended up citeing her and her insurance company ate the bill 100%.
#1. what the police says in the court of law stands up more than an average joe.
#2. most insurance companies quit argueing with each other if they got a 3rd party(the cop or police dept) draft a statement of what happened and the other guy cited.
When i was in college I got rear ended in my Accord(just chewed up the rear bumper on the Accord) what happened was i was coming up on a red light and coasting down and this LOADED old lady was coming out of a grocery store and rear ended me. I called the cops on my cell phone. she didn't want me to call them cause she knew she was gonna get cited. she offered to pay for it 100% plus 200 bucks i said no because if she skipped town or something i'm Shit out of luck. then the cops didn't want to cite her due to she donated like 2-3 million dollars of land i found out later to the city of Lima. I waited about 3-4 days after the accident i went to pick up the accident report (to turn into my insurance company) they said we're gonna determine it as "no one at fault" . the lady reporting officer said this.
I said how was she not at fault when i was going forward slowly and she re-ended me. I said I wanna talk to your supervisor. I her supervisor what happened. they ended up citeing her and her insurance company ate the bill 100%.
#52
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
I don't care how much money you have...there's never a "good time" for an accident or an unexpected outlay of cash.
#53
Full A-Spec 08 CBP TL-S
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here in MD a few years ago a lady hit me i called the cops and they said they wouldnt come unless somebody was hurt. Second time i got hit i called they told me the same thing and the lady that hit gave me all fake info. I had her DL # and address but she didnt even live there anymore
#54
ABP-KBP-CBP & ME
iTrader: (20)
Sorry about your situation it's very unsettling to get into an accident. I'm an insurance agent and I have heard of Erie and they are a pretty good company they are a regional insurance company that operates mostly on the east coast. As opposed to companies like Allstate, State Farm, Geico who operate nationally. If you can't afford your deductible then you did what you had to do and filed thru the other guys company.
I wish I could say I hadn't seen this happen before but I see it all the time where people get into an accident and change their story. If your ever in another accident always see if you can get an independent witness that's the best thing you can do. As many have said call the Police but not all police departments will respond to non injury accidents some will some won't and even if they do depending on the circumstances the Police report isn't always cut and dry on who's at fault I have seen many that don't call it either way. Some insurance companies claims departments discount friends and relatives as witnesses because they can be influenced. You did a good job with the pictures and that will probably make your case depending on a couple of other factors.
I'm not surprised they are waiting until they get the photo's because that's what adjusters are trained to do when they have conflicting stories. Luckily the guy who hit you didn't say that you rolled back into him then it really confuse things.
Insurance companies don't want to go to court unless they have to so they try to settle the claim so it doesn't get to that point because attorneys fees are exhorbitant and the loser pays for both sides attorneys fees so they try to avoid that when possible. Small claims is always an option but only you can way whether its worth the trouble or not for that amount.
Good luck with your case and I hope they see it your way and don't give you a hard time. If they do like Mongolian said file a complaint with the Dept of Insurance in your state there's no guarantee but if they find it to be a legitimate complaint they will usually help you.
I wish I could say I hadn't seen this happen before but I see it all the time where people get into an accident and change their story. If your ever in another accident always see if you can get an independent witness that's the best thing you can do. As many have said call the Police but not all police departments will respond to non injury accidents some will some won't and even if they do depending on the circumstances the Police report isn't always cut and dry on who's at fault I have seen many that don't call it either way. Some insurance companies claims departments discount friends and relatives as witnesses because they can be influenced. You did a good job with the pictures and that will probably make your case depending on a couple of other factors.
I'm not surprised they are waiting until they get the photo's because that's what adjusters are trained to do when they have conflicting stories. Luckily the guy who hit you didn't say that you rolled back into him then it really confuse things.
Insurance companies don't want to go to court unless they have to so they try to settle the claim so it doesn't get to that point because attorneys fees are exhorbitant and the loser pays for both sides attorneys fees so they try to avoid that when possible. Small claims is always an option but only you can way whether its worth the trouble or not for that amount.
Good luck with your case and I hope they see it your way and don't give you a hard time. If they do like Mongolian said file a complaint with the Dept of Insurance in your state there's no guarantee but if they find it to be a legitimate complaint they will usually help you.
#56
Senior Moderator
You're a moron. People's finances change daily. He may have other more important obligations which are taking his focus and money at this point. Who the fuck are you to tell him what he can/can't afford and what he should/shouldn't drive when you don't know him from a hole in the wall?
I don't care how much money you have...there's never a "good time" for an accident or an unexpected outlay of cash.
I don't care how much money you have...there's never a "good time" for an accident or an unexpected outlay of cash.
And as I recall, the OP just bought his first home earlier this year, so we know where all his money is going. That, plus a wedding. So don't be so quick to assume someone else's financial situation.
#57
I now drive an accord....
Thread Starter
Thanks for the support
Yes I didn't want to get into it really but my mortgage, home upgrades, and wedding expenses have priority over fixing a dented bumper
Not to mention I am kind of taking it personal that this guy had a conversation with me about the accident and is now denying it. To me at this point its much more about the principle than the money.
Yes I didn't want to get into it really but my mortgage, home upgrades, and wedding expenses have priority over fixing a dented bumper
Not to mention I am kind of taking it personal that this guy had a conversation with me about the accident and is now denying it. To me at this point its much more about the principle than the money.
#59
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
Thanks for the support
Yes I didn't want to get into it really but my mortgage, home upgrades, and wedding expenses have priority over fixing a dented bumper
Not to mention I am kind of taking it personal that this guy had a conversation with me about the accident and is now denying it. To me at this point its much more about the principle than the money.
Yes I didn't want to get into it really but my mortgage, home upgrades, and wedding expenses have priority over fixing a dented bumper
Not to mention I am kind of taking it personal that this guy had a conversation with me about the accident and is now denying it. To me at this point its much more about the principle than the money.
Check with your insurance company on if there is a time frame in which you need to have this resolved.
If it comes to it, I would file the claim and hold off on the actual repairs as long as you can. Someone said it right earlier that there is a chance that the other company is dicking your around because you are dealing with this on your own.
Also see if there is a body shop that will work with you.
#60
I now drive an accord....
Thread Starter
I got a call back from the company yesterday after work. She said she has received my pics and should have a decision today. If its the not decision im looking for I will contact my insurance co.
#61
Too much chrome
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I use Allstate, and if we ever had any problems, they took care of it right away. Whether someone hit us, or we hit them, we took it to the shop for the adjuster to see, and within a week and a half it was totally taken care of. Not to mention the shop giving us back our $500 deductible...
#63
I now drive an accord....
Thread Starter
#64
Fahrvergnügen'd
You're a moron. People's finances change daily. He may have other more important obligations which are taking his focus and money at this point. Who the fuck are you to tell him what he can/can't afford and what he should/shouldn't drive when you don't know him from a hole in the wall?
I don't care how much money you have...there's never a "good time" for an accident or an unexpected outlay of cash.
I don't care how much money you have...there's never a "good time" for an accident or an unexpected outlay of cash.
Even if $500 was what I used to wipe my ass with every morning I'd still be pissed that I had to front it because my insurance company hired Simple Jack to handle its claims department.
#65
Most decent insurance companies waive the deductible or refund it. Which was what I've been telling the OP the whole time.
#66
I now drive an accord....
Thread Starter
#67
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Insurance companies take a long ass time to do refunds. My old RL got into an accident back in March. I put out the $500 deductible to get the car fixed and they determined it to be 50/50 fault, so I was supposed to get $250 back. It's now September and I still haven't seen a check. When I called them they blamed the other adjuster and said they'd get the check out to me "right away"
#68
Insurance companies take a long ass time to do refunds. My old RL got into an accident back in March. I put out the $500 deductible to get the car fixed and they determined it to be 50/50 fault, so I was supposed to get $250 back. It's now September and I still haven't seen a check. When I called them they blamed the other adjuster and said they'd get the check out to me "right away"
#70
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
Insurance companies take a long ass time to do refunds. My old RL got into an accident back in March. I put out the $500 deductible to get the car fixed and they determined it to be 50/50 fault, so I was supposed to get $250 back. It's now September and I still haven't seen a check. When I called them they blamed the other adjuster and said they'd get the check out to me "right away"
#72
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I just had someone do this to me on Friday. I haven't even had my car 3 months and wham I got rear ended during the rain storm on Friday. In Chicago the cops don't come either. They recommend both parties cruise down to the station to file a police report.
Since the party that hit me had a language barrier (English not their first language) I knew it would be difficult to convince him to come with me to the police station especially when he kept saying "I give u money please please"
Long story, I got all his info, snapped a pic of my bumper and drove right to the station and filed the report myself. Since he was at fault, and I had all of his info, they let me file the report anyway.
My insurance wanted me to do the claim with them offering to go after his company like the OP however I'm following up with the claimant's insurance the morning to file the claim with them. Wish me luck
Since the party that hit me had a language barrier (English not their first language) I knew it would be difficult to convince him to come with me to the police station especially when he kept saying "I give u money please please"
Long story, I got all his info, snapped a pic of my bumper and drove right to the station and filed the report myself. Since he was at fault, and I had all of his info, they let me file the report anyway.
My insurance wanted me to do the claim with them offering to go after his company like the OP however I'm following up with the claimant's insurance the morning to file the claim with them. Wish me luck
Last edited by tiguy99; 09-15-2008 at 07:30 AM.
#73
intelligentsia
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Next time call the police, in fact calling the police should be the first thing done if the accident has a good amount of damage. I've had my car rear ended with hardly any damage just a few scratch marks, so I didn't have to call the police.
#74
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
tiguy....same thing happened to me. The guy offered to pay me, but it was a hard enough hit that I assumed the damages was going to be high. Luckily I was able to get a cop there and file a report, because my sister was hurt and we would have gotten nothing for her injuries if he had paid. And, as it turned out, the other driver was lying and didn't have the money to pay for the damages.
#75
I now drive an accord....
Thread Starter
#77
#78
That's Racist
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agreed, no ifs ands or buts, if the accident is serious enough to warrant calling insurance, it is serious enough to get a police report written up
fuck giving people the benefit of the doubt to owning up to their mistakes
fuck giving people the benefit of the doubt to owning up to their mistakes
#79
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
My insurance (old insurance) company didn't jerk me around at all.