Accident Help

[paulk68]

Last night my wife was involved in an accident, the person that hit her pulled out of a parking lot while she was going straight down the road smashing into her passenger side front fender. luckily she is ok just a little bruise on her thumb. My question is in the accident report we got there insurance info when we called their insurance to place a claim they told us that the policy was cancelled in 2004. does anyone know what we can do about that? aslo do we have any right to get a rental car? thank you

[wiedemab]

Maybe someone else will have some better advice, but it sounds like you are stuck with using your policy under the "un-insured motorist" coverage. Sorry to hear about the accident - glad she is OK.

[bretcopsey]

In Ohio, it is mandatory that every driver carry a minimum amount of coverage. I would be inclined to call the police to inform them that the responsible party provided false information.

Hopefully you have un-insured/under-insured motorist coverage through your policy. As said above, you'd have to have your company foot the bill-they can then handle going after the other driver if they so desire. As for the rental, again, check your policy.

[BA.]

wow, I sure hope you do have the un-insured/under-insured coverage.

Aside from that, it sounds like your own policy will need to pick up the car rental,....and usually that is an "extra item" not in the normal coverage. Even when it is there,...it may only be for 2 week coverage. Check that also.

[68sixspeed]

Paul- sorry to hear... definately call the police (the officer that did the report) and get him involved, failure to carry insurance in ct is illegal. Worst case it will fall back on your insurance, in either case, check your policy it will show if you have rental car re-imbursement and any medical coverage. Best of luck - Dan

[6'9"Witha69]

It is also VERY illegal to provide false documents to an officer. This guy is in hot water.

As for the other stuff, look at your own policy. Seems your comprehensive coverage will have to pick this one up.

[SaturnVUEguy]

Definitely contact the police dept that took the call if not the actual officer that responded. I really have nothing to add that hasn't been said, but glad to hear she is ok!

[bwhinnen]

Wow your insurance is so complicated over there. Our comprehensive is just that, everything covered, the options we get are car rental (2 weeks max), free replacement windshield per year and that's about it.

But if someone else is at fault and you have all their details you don't pay the excess nor does your rating suffer if you claim. But you are fully covered whether they have insurance or not.

[nicks67camaro]

I can speak about the rental. Your policy may cover a flat amount a day. IE: $30/day for a max amount of days usually 30 (some times extended). Again this is a FLAT amount so if you don't want any or minimal out of pocket (if the drivers insurance can't be persued) make sure the rental + taxes are under your allowed amount. THe company I used to work for had cars at an insurance replacment rate of 19.99/day. Most retal car companies have direct billing but your insurance may work on reimbursment. If the person does in fact have insurance you rental can be switched to the other persons policy/claim again billing directly depends on the insurance company, but in this case they will cover Cost of rental + taxes with no max (as long as your car is still under verifiable repair). Please remember the rental car is in your hands if it is damadged the rental car company will file a claim against you and your insurance. (they are covered)As for the "rental car coverage" its your choice but 99% of insurance companies don't cover the rental car company's extra insurance. walk around the rental car note all pre-existing damage. keep all copies and keep in touch with them to get updates on your rental. Many people are surprised when they come to return and there is no billing/claim set up. If you have specific questions feel free to PM me.
Nick

[WS6]

Wow your insurance is so complicated over there. Our comprehensive is just that, everything covered, the options we get are car rental (2 weeks max), free replacement windshield per year and that's about it.

But if someone else is at fault and you have all their details you don't pay the excess nor does your rating suffer if you claim. But you are fully covered whether they have insurance or not.

What's so bad about insurance in this country is that it is done state by state. So really only people fimilar with CT policy will be able to help.

Paul- glad to know your wife is ok. I hope everything works out for you. You may have to sue the guy but your insurance company will probrably do that for you.

[bwhinnen]

What's so bad about insurance in this country is that it is done state by state. So really only people fimilar with CT policy will be able to help.

Paul- glad to know your wife is ok. I hope everything works out for you. You may have to sue the guy but your insurance company will probrably do that for you.

Wow so how does that work when you travel inter-state? Who's laws do you need to follow? For instance if I am from another state and don't have insurance (not that I'd ever be in that situation) and go into CT, do I need to have it or is it for only licensed drivers of CT?

And yes apologies very glad your wife is ok, hope her thumb is not too sore!

[paulk68]

First let me just say thanks to all for the info

some good news after all. After LOTS and LOTS of phone calls we found the kid has insurance and they also cover for the rental car. i do no know why he gave the cop the worng card might have just been a mistake but it looks like things are going to work out for us. know i just hope they total the car. it is an 06 chevy malibu. both air bags went off and the front bumper, passenger front fender, passenger door, definitely need to be replaced. that is just form looking at the car he also pushed the right front tire way up into the wheel well so i assume the front suspension is also going to need a lot of work. the car is probably worth about 12-13k. some one is supposed to look at it tomorrow and let us know. it just will not be fair that we will have a newer car that is a repair there goes the trade in/resale value. it just does not seem fair when none of it was my wifes fault. oh well i will keep you all informed.

[6'9"Witha69]

Since I just went through this you can ask for a market adjustment should they decide to fix it. Usually this makes it more worthwhile to just total it out. Don't know how different CT regs are from CA, but I was paid the amount + taxes + prorata registration fees.

[SaturnVUEguy]

A couple years ago I nearly totalled the Saturn. My car alone had $16k in repairs, and they didn't total it. They were within a couple hundred though. This after I rear ended someone when I was doing approx 40-50mph

[ty1295]

Since I just went through this you can ask for a market adjustment should they decide to fix it. Usually this makes it more worthwhile to just total it out. Don't know how different CT regs are from CA, but I was paid the amount + taxes + prorata registration fees.

Diminished Value is the term I have heard, most people don't know what it is or even that you can get it.

Basically it is a $ amount to compensate you for the change in value of the car AFTER the repair. Anybody that buys a car will ask if it has been wrecked and generally either walk away or want a lower price because of it. It isn't your fault your car was wrecked so you should be compensated for this change in value.

I got a coworker a check for ~$3k one time he wasn't expecting just for telling him to ask.

[paulk68]

wow that is really good to know i will be sure to bring this up with there adjuster. i really hope this will work out some way for us. thank you very much

[SaturnVUEguy]

Diminished Value is the term I have heard, most people don't know what it is or even that you can get it.

Basically it is a $ amount to compensate you for the change in value of the car AFTER the repair. Anybody that buys a car will ask if it has been wrecked and generally either walk away or want a lower price because of it. It isn't your fault your car was wrecked so you should be compensated for this change in value.

I got a coworker a check for ~$3k one time he wasn't expecting just for telling him to ask.

ty, I'm guessing that won't work in my case?

[silver69camaro]

I'd see a doctor too, just to be sure. You just never know what can happen.

[6'9"Witha69]

Diminished Value is the term I have heard, . .(snip) . . I got a coworker a check for ~$3k one time he wasn't expecting just for telling him to ask.

Correct, and the $ value is subject to the price point of the given vehicle prior to the accident.

[WS6]

I'm not sure if all states allow diminished value but you guys have it right and Paul, you can sue if CT doesn't allow for diminished value. Glad to hear the kid had insurance though. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.


whinnen, I believe every state requires insurance so not having it is a punishable offense. Of course, this does nothing to get a person's car fixed if they are hit by an uninsured motorist. That's the reason for uninsured/under insured coverage in policies. A person can always sue for damages but if a driver isn't carrying insurance, chances are they don't have anything of value for you to take anyway. Pretty messed up isn't it? It gets worse. Say an uninsured motorist gets in a really bad accident and it's their fault. No medical coverage, no problem. They will get fixed right up and never have to pay if they can't. Meanwhile, the person they may have hit and injured has to count on their own insurance to cover everything. Which usually leads to them being dropped from that company or at the very least their rates go up because they are now a higher risk client due to them having to make a claim to cover the expenses the uninsured motorist caused and couldn't cover.