Vehicle totalled.

[Climber]

Ya climber I'm not sure you get how it works

I know exactly how it works. Been through claims a few times, and every time my insurance company tried to minimize the payment.

The point is, you get insurance so that you're covered in the event of an accident, but insurance companies look for absolutely any excuse to opt out of paying, even when your coverage should cover you.

We allow them to do this. If we all stuck together and made it clear that we expect better, they would do more. Since they know they don't have to, they don't.

 

[Climber]

That's the thing, he doesn't have that coverage though. He chose not to get full coverage.

He got almost full, and would have been covered for 98% of situations where it was the other person's fault.

You shouldn't have to suffer because the other person was a loophole.

It's like the hit and run where you aren't covered if the other person runs, even if you have uninsured coverage (at extra $$$), their excuse is that you have no proof that they didn't have insurance, therefor you are fucked.

 

[295566]

He got almost full, and would have been covered for 98% of situations where it was the other person's fault.

You shouldn't have to suffer because the other person was a loophole.

It's like the hit and run where you aren't covered if the other person runs, even if you have uninsured coverage (at extra $$$), their excuse is that you have no proof that they didn't have insurance, therefor you are fucked.

"I would have gotten 100% on that math exam if I hadn't gotten a question wrong"

or

"I wouldn't be DUI if I didn't drink that last beer, officer"

The world doesn't work like that. Again, he paid for a certain level of service (or alternatively, chose to save money/self-insure by NOT purchasing collision coverage), which is in no way the insurance company's fault. Why should they spend their time and money to fight for a claim, offering a service they weren't collecting premiums on?

 

[Climber]

"I would have gotten 100% on that math exam if I hadn't gotten a question wrong"

or

"I wouldn't be DUI if I didn't drink that last beer, officer"

The world doesn't work like that. Again, he paid for a certain level of service (or alternatively, chose to save money/self-insure by NOT purchasing collision coverage), which is in no way the insurance company's fault. Why should they spend their time and money to fight for a claim, offering a service they weren't collecting premiums on?

Go ahead and argue to help them maximize profits.

You get insurance for peace of mind, but you really don't get that peace of mind, do you?

 

[295566]

Go ahead and argue to help them maximize profits.

You get insurance for peace of mind, but you really don't get that peace of mind, do you?

You absolutely do, that's the point. Now, if he had the proper coverage he'd have peace of mind... but he didn't. This has nothing to do with siding with the insurance company, maximizing profits, :blah I have my gripes about insurance just like the next guy, but this is 1000% not their fault.

If your bike gets stolen and you didn't have comprehensive coverage, would you get mad that insurance wouldn't cover it?

If you opted for only liability and were hit by an uninsured driver, would you be mad that they don't pay for your damages?

Like you said, you pay extra for peace of mind... It's a cost/benefit analysis people must make when they're shopping for coverages. Collision is often the most expensive option for insurance, which is why many people don't choose to purchase it. However, it means in situations like this, you don't have to worry about not being covered.

 

[ctwo]

He got almost full, and would have been covered for 98% of situations where it was the other person's fault.

You shouldn't have to suffer because the other person was a loophole.

It's like the hit and run where you aren't covered if the other person runs, even if you have uninsured coverage (at extra $$$), their excuse is that you have no proof that they didn't have insurance, therefor you are fucked.

You tripping over that 2% that you did not pay to cover is not a loophole.

Further, the insurance would only defend to their obligation - if you only buy 100/300 and get sued for/ or lose millions, on your own - no loophole.

That other bit is just part of the way the corrupt system works.

 

[JesasaurusRex]

If the cars worth 1000 i fully understand not having full coverage. You just get a shit hand from time to time.

 

[Indio]

Oh man, didn’t anticipate this thread generating these many responses

To be clear, I had opted out of collision with full knowledge that in case it happens car will be written off. It is a 12 year old car so that is that. Never been a crash so all this is new to me. I am not expecting a big payout but would want to be compensated for what is due & fair, that is all. Certainly wouldn’t want to pay storage fees either as I am not at fault, that is how I look at it. Maybe there are lots of nuances here that will dictate how this ends & that is ok. For me, my family walked away without major physical injuries that is most important.

Geico didn’t exactly wash their hands they just said that since I didn’t have collision they will have to wait for rental car company to do its work & there is a possibility that I could have to pay storage fees. They have acknowledged that property damage & medical will be covered by them but that too will have to wait for rental company to do its thing.

I based $1000 on trade in value which KBB lists at $1700-$1900. Private party value is more but then I am assuming rental car insurance company won’t exactly just hand over money based on private party value.

Will just wait for accident report & then decide.

 

[tgrrdr]

I based $1000 on trade in value which KBB lists at $1700-$1900. Private party value is more but then I am assuming rental car insurance company won’t exactly just hand over money based on private party value.

Good luck getting this sorted out! I just went through having a motorcycle totaled by my insurance company (I had collision insurance, so mine paid). The advice I got in the thread I posted was that the insurance company would base the value of my bike on comparable bikes for sale/recently sold in my area. My bike was rather uncommon so there weren't a lot of comps (two actually) and one of them wasn't very similar. After the fact they sent me a report on how they determined the value of my bike, used one bike for sale at a dealer in Santa Clara. There was some negotiation but at the end I was mostly satisfied. Oh, and they paid 2/3 the value of my bike ($5,000) to the dealer for storage fees while they were figuring out the bike was totaled and how much it was worth...

 

[Climber]

Good luck getting this sorted out! I just went through having a motorcycle totaled by my insurance company (I had collision insurance, so mine paid). The advice I got in the thread I posted was that the insurance company would base the value of my bike on comparable bikes for sale/recently sold in my area. My bike was rather uncommon so there weren't a lot of comps (two actually) and one of them wasn't very similar. After the fact they sent me a report on how they determined the value of my bike, used one bike for sale at a dealer in Santa Clara. There was some negotiation but at the end I was mostly satisfied. Oh, and they paid 2/3 the value of my bike ($5,000) to the dealer for storage fees while they were figuring out the bike was totaled and how much it was worth...

Sounds like the insurance person handling your case wasn't the sharpest tool in the box! :rofl

 

[KooLaid]

Get a lawyer. The end.

My lawyer made sure I felt financially and physically squared up. Worth every damn cent.

 

[mercurial]

Get a lawyer. The end.

My lawyer made sure I felt financially and physically squared up. Worth every damn cent.

Lol good luck (to OP) finding a lawyer that will chase a $2000 liability on contingency. Unless it's a lawyer with a side hustle at Burger King :laughing

 

[ThumperX]

Late to the party but:

Mitigate your own risk, get that car out of storage immediately. You are liable for the storage regardless of who is at fault it is your car.
Once INSURANCE accepts liability on their insured's behalf they will reimburse the cost of storage; but, trust me when I say your car your bill.

At this point you may be shit out of luck. Typically though, rentals are a different rate for international customers. In the USA all liability policies are transferrable to a rental. International is a different scenario, the driver can say goodbye good luck.

Regardless, get the car out of storage demand the value of the car keep calling them everyday!

 

[KooLaid]

Lol good luck (to OP) finding a lawyer that will chase a $2000 liability on contingency. Unless it's a lawyer with a side hustle at Burger King :laughing

That's about the cost to replace my little scooter when I was hit. However, my final settlement was considerably better when the dust settled and I picked up the check. That's why I have a lawyer.

 

[mercurial]

That's about the cost to replace my little scooter when I was hit. However, my final settlement was considerably better when the dust settled and I picked up the check. That's why I have a lawyer.

Did you have medical injuries? Do you think that might be part of the equation?

@Thumper towing company debt generally will not show up on your credit report. I know from personal experience and contacts I have at Experian. Credit bureaus know these guys are sanctioned theft rackets. The towing company's only leverage is to lien and sell off the car. If the car is worth < $2000 and it's been there for a bit, easier to just let them keep it.

 

[KooLaid]

Did you have medical injuries? Do you think that might be part of the equation?

@Thumper towing company debt generally will not show up on your credit report. I know from personal experience and contacts I have at Experian. Credit bureaus know these guys are sanctioned theft rackets. The towing company's only leverage is to lien and sell off the car. If the car is worth < $2000 and it's been there for a bit, easier to just let them keep it.

Yes and it's the infinite variable that can make things whole in the long run.

 

[ThumperX]

Towing yard debt will show up on your credit report. You can explain it away but it's still there dinging your score away.

 

[mercurial]

I've defaulted on towing "debt" on direct advice from someone who works at the credit bureaus, and it never showed up on any of my reports. Do you have a different personal experience?

 

[Holeshot]

How does a tow yard have the ability to access an owner's credit report? Where would they get the SS #?

 

[motomania2007]

OP needs to hire an accident attorney ASAP.

OP and family also need to get fully evaluated by doctors, just to document their condition. This is another claim besides property damage claim.

OP's insurance company likely has a contractual and legal duty to represent him, even under his liability only policy.

This is especially true if the foreign tourist sues him or the rental agency.


The short answer is to get an attorney ASAP