Here’s the situation… My brand new car was rear-ended, and there’s a police report with the other guy being 100% at fault. But I found out his insurance lapsed because he didn’t pay. The cop didn’t run it to verify at the time. So, when I tried to file a claim, his insurance said they couldn’t help me. I could file with my own insurance, but a few months ago, I had a total loss claim on my previous car. Now, I’m worried that filing another claim might lead to my insurance dropping me. I could also pay for the damage myself and try to get the guy to pay me back, but he’s broke, has no job, and it seems like I won’t get my money back anytime soon, if ever. The damage is estimated at around $4k. What would you do?
File the claim. If $4k is the damage before they take the car apart, you’re looking at least $6k out of pocket.
Noor said:
File the claim. If $4k is the damage before they take the car apart, you’re looking at least $6k out of pocket.
Do you think I’ll get dropped by my insurance?
Noor said:
File the claim. If $4k is the damage before they take the car apart, you’re looking at least $6k out of pocket.
Do you think I’ll get dropped by my insurance?
It’s possible, but start shopping around now for another company. This is what insurance is for… sudden, unexpected expenses that would hurt your budget otherwise.
Oakes said:
Noor said:
File the claim. If $4k is the damage before they take the car apart, you’re looking at least $6k out of pocket.
Do you think I’ll get dropped by my insurance?
It’s possible, but start shopping around now for another company. This is what insurance is for… sudden, unexpected expenses that would hurt your budget otherwise.
It might be worth asking customer service to see what your options are.
Noor said:
Oakes said:
Noor said:
File the claim. If $4k is the damage before they take the car apart, you’re looking at least $6k out of pocket.
Do you think I’ll get dropped by my insurance?
It’s possible, but start shopping around now for another company. This is what insurance is for… sudden, unexpected expenses that would hurt your budget otherwise.
It might be worth asking customer service to see what your options are.
My last payout was $14k, so it wasn’t a small amount.
Noor said:
File the claim. If $4k is the damage before they take the car apart, you’re looking at least $6k out of pocket.
Do you think I’ll get dropped by my insurance?
There are too many factors at play here. No one can give you a clear answer. Maybe try calling and asking to speak to their policy services team.
Noor said:
File the claim. If $4k is the damage before they take the car apart, you’re looking at least $6k out of pocket.
Do you think I’ll get dropped by my insurance?
Usually, they won’t drop you until you’ve had three accidents.
You pay for insurance for exactly these situations. I had someone rear-end me while I was turning into a gas station, and she intentionally sped up and hit me. A year later, I found myself in a $500k lawsuit! The insurance eventually settled for $275k, even though we had proof she was faking it. I thought for sure my insurance would drop me after that, but they didn’t. They just raised my rate by $40.
Alva said:
You pay for insurance for exactly these situations. I had someone rear-end me while I was turning into a gas station, and she intentionally sped up and hit me. A year later, I found myself in a $500k lawsuit! The insurance eventually settled for $275k, even though we had proof she was faking it. I thought for sure my insurance would drop me after that, but they didn’t. They just raised my rate by $40.
How did she end up getting any money at all? That’s wild.
Alva said:
You pay for insurance for exactly these situations. I had someone rear-end me while I was turning into a gas station, and she intentionally sped up and hit me. A year later, I found myself in a $500k lawsuit! The insurance eventually settled for $275k, even though we had proof she was faking it. I thought for sure my insurance would drop me after that, but they didn’t. They just raised my rate by $40.
How did she end up getting any money at all? That’s wild.
That’s why insurance rates are going up. Look up ‘social inflation’ and why we need tort reform.
Alva said:
You pay for insurance for exactly these situations. I had someone rear-end me while I was turning into a gas station, and she intentionally sped up and hit me. A year later, I found myself in a $500k lawsuit! The insurance eventually settled for $275k, even though we had proof she was faking it. I thought for sure my insurance would drop me after that, but they didn’t. They just raised my rate by $40.
How did she end up getting any money at all? That’s wild.
Her doctor was in on it. After years of back and forth, it was cheaper to settle.
Which state are you in? Some states don’t allow rate increases for not-at-fault accidents. Uninsured motorist coverage also may not raise your rates.
Frankie said:
Which state are you in? Some states don’t allow rate increases for not-at-fault accidents. Uninsured motorist coverage also may not raise your rates.
I’m in NJ.
Frankie said:
Which state are you in? Some states don’t allow rate increases for not-at-fault accidents. Uninsured motorist coverage also may not raise your rates.
I’m in NJ.
I wish NJ would do something about all the uninsured drivers. It makes me paranoid driving in certain areas.
Oakes said:
Frankie said:
Which state are you in? Some states don’t allow rate increases for not-at-fault accidents. Uninsured motorist coverage also may not raise your rates.
I’m in NJ.
I wish NJ would do something about all the uninsured drivers. It makes me paranoid driving in certain areas.
I’m surprised the cop didn’t check the guy’s insurance at the scene. Seems like a big oversight.
Casey said:
Oakes said:
Frankie said:
Which state are you in? Some states don’t allow rate increases for not-at-fault accidents. Uninsured motorist coverage also may not raise your rates.
I’m in NJ.
I wish NJ would do something about all the uninsured drivers. It makes me paranoid driving in certain areas.
I’m surprised the cop didn’t check the guy’s insurance at the scene. Seems like a big oversight.
Some cops just don’t care anymore. He was probably annoyed he had to deal with an accident at all.
Oakes said:
Frankie said:
Which state are you in? Some states don’t allow rate increases for not-at-fault accidents. Uninsured motorist coverage also may not raise your rates.
I’m in NJ.
I wish NJ would do something about all the uninsured drivers. It makes me paranoid driving in certain areas.
FYI, NJ actually has the lowest rate of uninsured drivers in the U.S. (3%).
That might help you feel a little better.
I’ve been through something similar. I rear-ended someone and ended up paying $2k for his bumper. A few months later, someone rear-ended me and I thought about handling it without insurance. I’m glad I didn’t, because the initial estimate of $1.8k ended up being $9.2k once they found more damage. I’m also worried about being dropped since I had two claims in a short time.
Lyle said:
I’ve been through something similar. I rear-ended someone and ended up paying $2k for his bumper. A few months later, someone rear-ended me and I thought about handling it without insurance. I’m glad I didn’t, because the initial estimate of $1.8k ended up being $9.2k once they found more damage. I’m also worried about being dropped since I had two claims in a short time.
I had accident forgiveness, but that’s out the window now 