Am I being screwed?

[SharonDee]

So I was rear-ended last Friday night on my way home from work. No one was hurt; that's the good news. The car that hit me was totaled, while my car's bumper was scraped and warped, and the license plate was bent. The other guy was uninsured--of course--and now my insurance company tells me they need the traffic report in order to confirm the other guy was uninsured. Otherwise, I'll have to pay the $1000 deductible as if the collision was my fault.

Huh? When I told this to the Hubster, he was immediately livid. He's already pissed at how my agent treated me over this--I don't get to be pissed; he has all the fun--and this was the last straw. He's yelled and nagged at me about how his policy with Progressive is so much better than mine with... never mind. I want to see if anyone can guess.

Is this normal? Is putting cash up front even though I wasn't at fault the way things work in the car insurance biz? I have a clean driving record, no moving violations in over twenty-one years. The last collision I had was also not my fault but the other guy had insurance and all went well. With his insurance; I barely talked to my own agent.

*sigh* I'm not expressing myself well here. I just want to know if I'm being screwed by my insurance company.

[Petra]

I don't know how things work in the States, but here if you get rear-ended it's automatically the other person's fault, and insured or not, they are liable.

Insurance companies will pay out, then seek recompense either through the other person's insurance or as a private individual.

You're being screwed. Fight it. And fight it hard.

Take it to Judge Judy if you have to.

[SharonDee]

Great. I have to be mean. I suck at that.
:deepsigh:

Thanks, Luna!

[RevDahlia]

How difficult would it be to get a copy of the traffic report? It might be worth having a talk with the Law; I imagine they deal with this kind of thing all the time.

Dealing with insurance agents = instant migraine. :argh: You have my sympathies.

[Ronin]

Getting a copy of your Crash Report should be as easy as going to the records office of the agency that conducted the investigation and asking for it.

Check the report for accuracy (including diagram).

Ask the records personnel if the report has any codes that may indicate cause/fault that may not be apparent to the layperson.

Make sure you can read the name of the officer and his badge number from the report...if not, again, ask the person you're getting the report from to clarify this information.

Also, ask them if there is any other form you are required to fill out.

See if there were any photographs taken by the officer of the damage and, if so, what the process is to get copies.

Take a copy of the report along with your policy that details your coverage to your insurance agent.

Does your policy cover uninsured motorists?

Was the other driver given any citations?

Try to do your best to maintain a level head while dealing with your agent.

Given the description of events, SharonDee, it appears to me that you have the upper hand.

If you feel that you are not receiving fair treatment, consider consulting an attorney.

My best to you.

:wave:

[Godless Dave]

All the insurance company should need is the other driver's name, phone number, and license plate number; then they can pursue him for the cash. Sounds like they're being lazy.

Ideally getting a copy of the police report should be as easy as Ronin said. However, in my city the police no longer fill out accident reports for accidents unless there's an injury or they issued a citation. They hand the paperwork to the parties involved and tell them to fill it out and send it in.

[SharonDee]

How difficult would it be to get a copy of the traffic report? It's only as difficult as getting down to the Metro-Nashville PD and picking up the report for a fee. I dislike and avoid driving downtown--which may explain why my driving record is so clean--so I wasn't looking forward to finding the place and paying for parking... all that stuff you deal with downtown.

Anyway, I've gotten lucky; Hubster has been rained out of work and so he's volunteered to pick up the report. I was also lucky in that my car is drivable; it just looks so damned ugly and--forgive me--white trashy with its bumper so scarred up that my vanity is bruised from riding around in it. (Yeah, I'm that shallow.)

And Ronin... wow, what a checklist of stuff I'd never stopped to consider! Thanks so much for the heads-up on that.
Does your policy cover uninsured motorists?

Was the other driver given any citations? Yes, I do pay extra for uninsured motorist coverage. It was such a problem here in Tennessee when I signed up for it; there have apparently been some laws passed since then, requiring proof of insurance anytime you deal with police in a traffic situation.

As for whether the other guy was given citations, that's something I'm dying to know for myself, regardless of how it'll help me get my car fixed. I think I'm looking to feel better through schaudenfreuden, which makes me feel petty and mean because the poor guy was so distraught last Friday evening. His car was totaled, after all.

What motivated me to post last night was Hubster's attitude about it all. He wants to "chew somebody a new asshole" and my agent with his lackluster performance makes a perfect target. Me, I can't be that mean about it and I'm all about helping people who are just trying to do their jobs... do those jobs without my making it tougher by copping an attitude.

I'll have to find middle ground somewhere.

All the insurance company should need is the other driver's name, phone number, and license plate number; then they can pursue him for the cash. Sounds like they're being lazy. I got all that information at the scene even before the cop arrived. As for the insurance company, it could be laziness or it could be they're trying to handle this without their paying more than they have to. As Hubster continues to harp on with me, "They're all about the money; they don't care how that inconveniences you."

Ideally getting a copy of the police report should be as easy as Ronin said. However, in my city the police no longer fill out accident reports for accidents unless there's an injury or they issued a citation. They hand the paperwork to the parties involved and tell them to fill it out and send it in. :stunned:
Okay, now that's screwed up!

[Shake]

Next, I'd go hunting for new auto insurance. Actually, why aren't you and Hubster on the same insurance? I believe most companies will give a multi-vehicle discount on your rates.

I've heard some people say you should shop around for new insurance at least once a year anyway.

[viscousmemories]

He's yelled and nagged at me about how his policy with Progressive is so much better than mine with... never mind. I want to see if anyone can guess.
Okay I'll guess, but it's totally random since I've never had a problem with an insurance company. Farmers?

[beyelzu]

geico?

[beyelzu]

btw, sorry your agent is being an ass and that you were in a wreck

:shakefist:: at the no-god.

:tmgrin:


I was going to offer some helpful advice, but one of our resident coppers so beat me to it.

[SharonDee]

Next, I'd go hunting for new auto insurance. Yeah, that's what Hubster is pushing for, too. Thing is, I have this big loyal streak going and I've been with these folks since I was buying renter's insurance ten years ago. They cover my house, both my car and my daughter's car. I will at least get another agent, whether I change companies or not. He used to be so good to me. :crying:

Actually, why aren't you and Hubster on the same insurance? I believe most companies will give a multi-vehicle discount on your rates. When we married, Hubster was one of those evil uninsured drivers. After I finally helped him realize he needed to be insured, it was too expensive to get coverage with my company--they treat uninsured as high risk, even with a clean record--so he ended up shopping around for a good rate. He just never has opted to go with my insurance company. As for a multi-car discount, I'm getting that already with my daughter's car on the policy.

Farmers? Nope.

geico? Nope.

My reasons for making y'all guess is that Hubster claims that everyone knows better than to go with this company because they suck. So far, he appears to be wrong. :chin:

I was going to offer some helpful advice, but one of our resident coppers so beat me to it. Aw, that's okay. I'm feeling the love, and that's good enough. Great, in fact. :vibes:

[viscousmemories]

Well I've heard bad things about Allstate, but my experience with them has been good.

Anyway I'm glad you're feeling the love, Sharon. And that you didn't get hurt. :yup: