Accident moral dilemma...HELP!!

[ric]

Well, I'm not too worried about it since I took a bunch of pictures of the scene including my truck, his truck with license plate, and a great shot showing his truck's tire marks in the snow in relation to my front bumper! I think that these should provide enough evidence that he's at fault, although I can't be sure.

My insurance company already told me over the phone that they'll make payment to me and not subtract my deductible since I'm not at fault. Obviously, this could be reversed if his insurance company fought this, but I don't think that'll happen.

Can't wait to get the appraisal in the mail!

if YOUR ins. is paying, YOU will end up paying in higher rates, as most Ins. companies want to keep a 33% profit on all clients.
Do be nieve to think your Ins. is going to eat that bill, they are in business to make a profit. I hope that other guys Ins. co. pays up.

 

[DavidAlexander]

Well, here is how I understand it: You always should contact your insurance company whether you're at fault or not. (This way anything you say can't be used against you)

My company will do all the leg work. They are paying me because I can get a check as soon as the appraisal is done which is the quickest way to get $$ (and they aren't keeping my deductible since, based on my description of the accident, I'm not at fault). Then my company will contact his company and get money from them. I am not at fault and my insurance won't pay for anything in the long run; which won't increase my insurance or count as an accident for me.

A side note, I forgot to get his insurance information since it was so shady to begin with (not giving me his license!). I jotted down the name and address on the reg. and took pics of the plate.

Next time I'll definitely get ALL info and call the police!

So do you even know if he has insurance? If not, it might be tough for your company to recover the money from a broke guy. They will just ring this up to your "uninsured motorist" coverage and pay out of their pocket.

Even if he does, his company might not accept responsibility that easily without a police report.

And no, when someone hits you, you don't have to call your insurance unless you live in a state that is "no-fault". Sounds like your company is just doing the work that you would usually do.

His insurance will set up the claim inspector and send you the check. They will ask you what body shop you would like to take it to so they can pay you properly. Then if there is more damage that was not seen, the shop can bill them directly. So no, your insurance company does not need to be involved.

 

[Netrilix]

I've always alerted my insurance company, regardless of fault. There are many reasons to do this, especially if you're not the one at fault.

• You're protected if the other person is uninsured (If you've got uninsured motorist protection)
• You've got someone on your side if the other insurance company disputes the claim
• Your insurance company has a better lawyer to get paid by the other person's insurance company

 

[DavidAlexander]

I called my insurance agent (State Farm) immediatly after being rear ended. He told me to get the all the other drivers info and call the police so they would make a report.

I have not talked to my agent again since that day. I contacted the other drivers insurance (they were expecting my call), they sent out an appraiser, sent me the list of what they were going to pay for(which I had to approve), and sent me the check. If I would not have been happy with thier proposal I WOULD have called my insurance and had them negotiate on my behalf. That is what they are for.

They are not for me to be a dumba** and let some guy who hit me drive off with only taking a couple pictures. That is just irresponsible.

It would be different if he got all the info and relayed it to his company to follow through with the claim. I understand people are busy and insurance companies do this for their clients.

I am sure I could just call my agent and he would take care of it too, but sometimes there is an aspect of personal responsiblity in life.

 

[Mark86]

Definitely go through insurance regardless. I know a few people who didn't and they ended up getting ripped off.