accident dilema

[oldyam80sg]

So on Monday a SUV slid on ice in my Jeep Cherokee, damaging my front bumper.Because it is an aftermarket bumper do i contact his insurance company for damages?I have liability only on my Jeep and have contacted my insurance company just to be on the safe side.But who pays for damages?Police were called and i have an accident report but what now?Have not had anything like this happen before.No summonses were issued also but report clearly states that he hit me.

[fredintoon]

So on Monday a SUV slid on ice in my Jeep Cherokee, damaging my front bumper.Because it is an aftermarket bumper do i contact his insurance company for damages?I have liability only on my Jeep and have contacted my insurance company just to be on the safe side.But who pays for damages?Police were called and i have an accident report but what now?Have not had anything like this happen before.No summonses were issued also but report clearly states that he hit me.

Hi oldyam,
it ain't who is in the right, it's who has the best lawyer.

[oldyam80sg]

I dont want to have to contact a lawyer Fred i just want some money for damages to my vehicle.I have been told that all i have to do is contact his company and go from there.

[pete_s]

You have to call his company and get them to accept liability as he hit you.

I assume it was his fault?

They will tell you to get a estimate and will try to settle right away as no one got hurt?

My son got hit in his Ranger door and cab, they sent a check for $1400 for a truck he paid $1450 for. The money paid for a Hot Hues custom paint and junk yard door!

He got banged up slightly but at 19yrs they bounce back easy and the other vehicle was a city owned so no sence in pushing for a better claim.
Good luck

[pete_s]

Also, if your estimate less than $500 you may want to call the at fault driver as he/she may want to pay cash rather then have you put a claim in on there insurance.

The claim may make their insurance go up for a few years. When I have been at fault I have paid as my car had minimal damage.

[Cuda 69]

myself,I would go to my insurance company and ask them for advise,first it's there job,second,they are suposed to look out for your best interest.3rd,they don't want to pay.

[DGXSER]

Pete, like ht eothers here have stated, step one is to call the other drivers insurance company. Let them know you were involved in an acident with their insured. Inform them of the police report, and even get a copy for your records.

At that point, they will either as you where you plan to get your vehicle fixed, or they will deny their insured is at fault. Be prepared mentally that they may take approach number two, if they do, then contact your insurance agent and see if they can help or give advice. Given that you only have liability, your insurance may not take alot of interest in this, as they are not paying regardless.

Also be aware that in some jurisdictions, if there was snow or ice on the ground, it may be declared an act of god and no one is at fault.

Anyway you look at it, step one is still contact his insurance company.

[Cuda 69]

Didn't realize you only had liability,by all means,go to there insurance company.

[XJfan1]

i would call the other driver and see if they would like to cover the damages out of pocket. if not call their insurance company they should pay for the damage if the police report states your not at fault especially if the other driver agrees. then go get 3 estimates. you dont have to use thier preferred body shop. use your own. last time it happened to me i got the check from thier insurance company and fixed the damage myself for a third of the price. but i dont trust other people to work on my vehicles.

[CatatonicBug]

You shouldn't have to contact anyone other than your own insurance company. It is their responsibility to contact the other guy's insurance company and get you your money.

[motoman]

You shouldn't have to contact anyone other than your own insurance company. It is their responsibility to contact the other guy's insurance company and get you your money.

+1......no matter what state it's in......

[DGXSER]

Hate to burst your bubble, but your agent works for you to the extent of the coverage you purchased. If you only have liability, your agent has no obligation or requirement to get you money for someone else hitting your car. The only reason they help if you have full coverage, or uninsured/under insured motorist is so they do not have to pay for it.

Now this is not to say that they would not be really nice and help you to keep your business. But there is no obligation on them.

I know of someone else who went through this a few months ago. His companies truck got hit, the other driver hit and run, the police caught them, cited them, and gave him the report. Their insurance refused to pay at first, his agent basically said not much we can do except tell you to take them to court. The other persons insurance kept making settlement offers, 50%, 70% 80% of repair cost. I think they eventually paid for all the repairs, but not for lost income due to not having the truck.

[STEPPENWOLF]

DG you are right...if you are trying to collect from Allstate be prepared for a fight,they have got to be the most nasty people you will ever talk to on the phone,after talking to a couple of lawyers this is their tack tick to get you to accept a lower a lower payment for repairs,stand your ground...get the repairs payed in full.

[trbig]

Hmmm.. I've had EXCELLENT service from Allstate. No hastle or haggle. Asked me to pick a repair shop.. didn't have to go get several estimates.. and asked if I wanted a check sent to me or the body shop. BUT... I spend a lot of money with them with 5 cars, 4 bikes, home, etc. and have been with them for quite a few years.

[DGXSER]

Tod,

The consensus I have gotten is that Allstate will treat you like a king if your their customer. In this case, Steppenwolf is not an Allstate customer, and in that situation Allstate is pretty consistent in trying to screw the person over from what I have found in research. Everything I can find online says that if you are not insured with them, Allstate will at best offer you 80% of your claim to try to settle, and you will have to fight them tooth and nail to get anything better out of them.

I have not had the experience of dealing with them to date, so this is strictly from what Steppenwolf experienced, and what I have read online.