If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Question about insurance - minor accident
Hello,
This is the first time I was involved in a car accident and I have some questions - I hope I can get answers here. Sorry that this message is a bit long, for such a minor issue... :-( Couple of weeks ago, on Apr 22nd, a careless driver hit me on the highway. Luckily it was in a place where the traffic was very slow (about 10mph) and nobody was hurt. His car did not suffer any visible damage whatsoever, while my car had what looked like a bent rear bumper. A tow truck was passing nearby and stopped to check on us. The other car's driver proposed not to call the insurance, but said that he will pay to fix my car. The tow truck driver said that the damage looks really minor - $100 or so, - so this is OK. He also said that if the other driver refuses to pay, I can always file claim. Also, he (the tow-truck driver) would file a report about the accident that can be used to verify that it is not my fault, if something goes wrong. So, we exchanged phone numbers and insurance information with the other driver. Couple of days later, the other driver found a body shop and I drove there. The repair was estimated at about $1300! We decided to go with the insurance. So, I filed a police report (required for everything with >$750 damage), called my insurance to report the accident. Two days later they called me back and told me that if it was other's driver fault I should call his insurance agency. I called the other insurance (AAA), described the accident. After 4 days with no response from them I called again and was told that they couldn't get hold of the other driver, so when they do they will call me. Also, they told me that I should contact them through my insurance, and not directly. I checked was told that there is a 30 days time limit to settle all this - 30 days after the accident. It is after the two-week point now and still nothing was done. It seems to me that AAA doesn't really try to do anything. Meanwhile, the back door of my car cannot open (because of the bumper), and I need to use the car for carrying some equipment. My questions a 1) Is the thing about the 30-day time limit true? 2) Is there anything to speed-up the process? 3) What can I expect as a result - should AAA cover the entire sum for the repair, or I will have to pay something out of my pocket? 4) If by some reason AAA refuses to pay, I have collision coverage on my insurance. If I use it, I am worried that my premium will go up, even if the accident is not my fault. Is this true? 5) Do you have any other advice? Sorry for the long message - this is my first accident, I don't know what to do... Thanks, - Alex |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Well, that's already a good advice, :-) I didn't even knew that such
animal as "insurance commisioner" exists! Thanks Garth, - Alex |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
K Smythe wrote:
> On 5 May 2005 14:06:25 -0700, wrote: > >>A tow truck was passing nearby and stopped to check on us. > > You mean a vulture saw you there and went looking for an easy meal. > You can say this, :-) Now that you mention it, he looked quite disappointed after he examined the damage, :-) - Alex |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
|
#7
|
|||
|
|||
wrote:
> > I checked was told that there is a 30 days time limit to settle all > this - 30 days after the accident. > > My questions a > > 1) Is the thing about the 30-day time limit true? Not likely. You probably misunderstood the common requirement in many policies that a claim *be filed* (or similar notification of a pending claim that may be filed) within 30 days. -- C.R. Krieger (Been there; done that) |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
GAP insurance question | Astro | General | 1 | April 28th 05 06:36 AM |
American Collectors Insurance question. | Dad | Corvette | 24 | October 28th 04 07:24 PM |
Auto Insurance Question (foreign driver) | Mike | General | 0 | August 16th 04 06:52 PM |
Insurance question - rental car | Joe | General | 2 | March 18th 04 11:57 PM |