Car Insurance Questions

[jsb]

So I was in a car accident today. Luckily I'm fine (so far) but it required an ER visit and an ambulance ride. My car is toast. The driver who I believe was at fault was a semi driver who didn't see me in his blind spot before trying to merge and hit me sending me across 3 lanes of traffic into a cement barrier where another lucky car rear-ended me.

I've only been in a minor fender bender and hit a deer, so I've never had to deal too much with someone else's insurance. Is there anything I should be make sure to do?

I've started a claim with my insurance, but I want to make sure I'm doing everything I should. The first person I talked to at State Farm today, didn't seem especially competent (when I said that the semi that hit me was a Freightliner, she asked if that was a Buick). Hopefully I'll get a new person tomorrow. But should I have both insurance companies give me a price for the car replacement? Should I listen to my State Farm person and just go through them and let them deal with the other insurance company (her reason being that the other person might not have good insurance)? How much should I directly deal with the other insurance company? Anything else I should be aware of?

On another note, just how hard is it going to be to buy a new car right now? I hate car buying in the best of circumstances, but I'd like to find something that I like.

If you were slowed down on 235 this morning right around 7:00, you have me to thank (or more accurately the semi driver who did not see me). But at least you weren't the poor guy with a brand new car who rear ended me after I spun around.

 

[Gonzo]

So I was in a car accident today. Luckily I'm fine (so far) but it required an ER visit and an ambulance ride. My car is toast. The driver who I believe was at fault was a semi driver who didn't see me in his blind spot before trying to merge and hit me sending me across 3 lanes of traffic into a cement barrier where another lucky car rear-ended me.

I've only been in a minor fender bender and hit a deer, so I've never had to deal too much with someone else's insurance. Is there anything I should be make sure to do?

I've started a claim with my insurance, but I want to make sure I'm doing everything I should. The first person I talked to at State Farm today, didn't seem especially competent (when I said that the semi that hit me was a Freightliner, she asked if that was a Buick). Hopefully I'll get a new person tomorrow. But should I have both insurance companies give me a price for the car replacement? Should I listen to my State Farm person and just go through them and let them deal with the other insurance company (her reason being that the other person might not have good insurance)? How much should I directly deal with the other insurance company? Anything else I should be aware of?

On another note, just how hard is it going to be to buy a new car right now? I hate car buying in the best of circumstances, but I'd like to find something that I like.

If you were slowed down on 235 this morning right around 7:00, you have me to thank (or more accurately the semi driver who did not see me). But at least you weren't the poor guy with a brand new car who rear ended me after I spun around.

Glad you're ok. I've had plenty of dealings with auto insurance having two daughters. Pretty much every time it's been clear who was at fault so the process was pretty clean, an initial call to give your account of what happened and the insurance companies pretty much take it from there. If the trucker was 100% at fault I can't imagine your insurance company getting involved with an estimate for your loss, that would be on his. His insurance company should work with you or (maybe?) a rep from your insurance company. The fact that there was an ER visit and possible injuries throws a wrench in though that I've never had to deal with.

Most important thing is everyone is ok. Cars can be replaced.

 

[Jnecker4cy]

File thru the Semis Insurance use yours only if getting no where with that company. If you go thru your company you will be responsible for your deductible and most likely your rates go up because it is a claim filed against your policy.

I am an agent, that is the advice I would give my client.

Who is the other insurance company?

 

[jsb]

File thru the Semis Insurance use yours only if getting no where with that company. If you go thru your company you will be responsible for your deductible and most likely your rates go up because it is a claim filed against your policy.

I am an agent, that is the advice I would give my client.

Who is the other insurance company?

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. But the State Farm person seemed convinced otherwise.

The semi had Ace, which I’ve learned is now Chubb. There’s been a claim filed but no one assigned yet.

 

[khardbored]

File thru the Semis Insurance use yours only if getting no where with that company. If you go thru your company you will be responsible for your deductible and most likely your rates go up because it is a claim filed against your policy.

I am an agent, that is the advice I would give my client.

Who is the other insurance company?

I'm not an agent, so you probably know more than I do, but ...

I was in an accident earlier this year where the other party was clearly at fault (they rear ended me, I was stationary). I filed with my own company, State Farm ... my deductible was reimbursed to me when the process was completed (subrogation) a couple weeks later.

I also had some minor medical treatments (chiro) and those were covered 100%. No cost to me.

AFAIK my rates didn't change, either.

Did I do it wrong? Seemed everything worked out.

 

[khardbored]

So I was in a car accident today. Luckily I'm fine (so far) but it required an ER visit and an ambulance ride. My car is toast. The driver who I believe was at fault was a semi driver who didn't see me in his blind spot before trying to merge and hit me sending me across 3 lanes of traffic into a cement barrier where another lucky car rear-ended me.

I've only been in a minor fender bender and hit a deer, so I've never had to deal too much with someone else's insurance. Is there anything I should be make sure to do?

I've started a claim with my insurance, but I want to make sure I'm doing everything I should. The first person I talked to at State Farm today, didn't seem especially competent (when I said that the semi that hit me was a Freightliner, she asked if that was a Buick). Hopefully I'll get a new person tomorrow. But should I have both insurance companies give me a price for the car replacement? Should I listen to my State Farm person and just go through them and let them deal with the other insurance company (her reason being that the other person might not have good insurance)? How much should I directly deal with the other insurance company? Anything else I should be aware of?

On another note, just how hard is it going to be to buy a new car right now? I hate car buying in the best of circumstances, but I'd like to find something that I like.

If you were slowed down on 235 this morning right around 7:00, you have me to thank (or more accurately the semi driver who did not see me). But at least you weren't the poor guy with a brand new car who rear ended me after I spun around.

Did the semi driver actually pull over and exchange insurance info?

If so, good for them. You're fortunate, as I've heard stories of trucking companies that are eager to run away from responsiblity.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

File thru the Semis Insurance use yours only if getting no where with that company. If you go thru your company you will be responsible for your deductible and most likely your rates go up because it is a claim filed against your policy.

I am an agent, that is the advice I would give my client.

Who is the other insurance company?

Why would I pay my insurance company thousands of dollars a year and when I actually need them would not have them deal with it?

 

[CyGuy5]

I'm not an agent, so you probably know more than I do, but ...

I was in an accident earlier this year where the other party was clearly at fault (they rear ended me, I was stationary). I filed with my own company, State Farm ... my deductible was reimbursed to me when the process was completed (subrogation) a couple weeks later.

I also had some minor medical treatments (chiro) and those were covered 100%. No cost to me.

AFAIK my rates didn't change, either.

Did I do it wrong? Seemed everything worked out.

You did it right

 

[jsb]

Did the semi driver actually pull over and exchange insurance info?

If so, good for them. You're fortunate, as I've heard stories of trucking companies that are eager to run away from responsiblity.

He did. I never saw him or spoke to him but apparently the police did.

It was a pretty bad accident so you’d have to be a pretty big ******* not to stop.

 

[jsb]

I'm not an agent, so you probably know more than I do, but ...

I was in an accident earlier this year where the other party was clearly at fault (they rear ended me, I was stationary). I filed with my own company, State Farm ... my deductible was reimbursed to me when the process was completed (subrogation) a couple weeks later.

I also had some minor medical treatments (chiro) and those were covered 100%. No cost to me.

AFAIK my rates didn't change, either.

Did I do it wrong? Seemed everything worked out.

Good to know. That’s the process she described as well.

 

[CloniesForLife]

That's terrifying. Glad you're ok.

 

[MeanDean]

Had a parking lot fender bender in FL. Called my insurance and they recommended working through the other guy's insurance company since they were at fault.

Long story short, his insurance company were total dicks and tried to get me to agree to 50/50 fault so I'd be out my $500 deductible. Fought with them and they just listened to every item I pointed out of the other guy's fault but refused to budge. Even had the police report that stated he was 100% at fault and I was 0 percent.

So I called my insurance and filed through them. Got the car fixed, paid the $500 deductible and my insurance company got that from his and reimbursed me.

 

[Dopey]

That sucks. I've been in two minor accidents. The first was my fault (oops). The 2nd wasn't. Both times I only talked to my insurance company.

Regarding buying a car, I got a quote for our minivan on Caravana last night for the hell of it. It seemed very fair. I'm not currently in the market, but given the ease, I may go that route next time.

 

[jsb]

That's terrifying. Glad you're ok.

It all happened so quick that you don’t quite realize how bad it could have been. But it could have been really bad. I was lucky.

I was also lucky that an off duty police officer and ER nurse stopped. The ER nurse had perhaps the best tip for climbing out my passenger door since my drivers door was jammed and against the cement.

 

[cyfan21]

I'm not an agent, so you probably know more than I do, but ...

I was in an accident earlier this year where the other party was clearly at fault (they rear ended me, I was stationary). I filed with my own company, State Farm ... my deductible was reimbursed to me when the process was completed (subrogation) a couple weeks later.

I also had some minor medical treatments (chiro) and those were covered 100%. No cost to me.

AFAIK my rates didn't change, either.

Did I do it wrong? Seemed everything worked out.

You did it correctly. I did the exact same thing back in May. Your rate won’t go up either cause you are not at fault. Plus your insurance should work harder and get you results faster than the other parties insurance.

 

[IcSyU]

You pay for an insurance agent to handle this for you. They get a commission from your policy...this is how they earn it.

 

[cycub51]

If you end up experiencing more pain from the accident in a few days to weeks go get seen right away. Also do not agree with any settlement or tell them you are not seeking medical treatment until you know there is nothing residual. If it gets messy they will do everything they can not to pay.

 

[danielyp29]

I heard about this accident and saw the red line in Google maps this morning. Glad you are ok!

 

[Jnecker4cy]

I'm not an agent, so you probably know more than I do, but ...

I was in an accident earlier this year where the other party was clearly at fault (they rear ended me, I was stationary). I filed with my own company, State Farm ... my deductible was reimbursed to me when the process was completed (subrogation) a couple weeks later.

I also had some minor medical treatments (chiro) and those were covered 100%. No cost to me.

AFAIK my rates didn't change, either.

Did I do it wrong? Seemed everything worked out.

No. You were lucky in how smooth the process went. Yes in many cases you will get your deductible back, but not always and many times not timely. Rates will be affected in the end as to how the company reports it to CLUE. You did not do it wrong, as long as all worked out.

 

[Jnecker4cy]

Why would I pay my insurance company thousands of dollars a year and when I actually need them would not have them deal with it?

Because it was not your companies or your fault. Other people carry insurance also and when it is their fault you use that insurance.