Car Accident: What's Next?

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

So, I got in a car accident last night (I rear-ended someone)... however, I'm really confused as to how everything insurance wise works...

The front end of my Ford Escape is pretty smashed up... and oil was obviously pouring out all over the road... so, I know it's pretty damaged... and, I know that I don't have it with me, now because a big truck came and took it away... and, I know the insurance company is supposed to call my husband and me sometime in the future (when that will happen is also a mystery)...

However, what I don't know is how this crazy car insurance thing works... it's a huge mystery to me. I mean, I know that I will have to pay a certain dollar amount (deductible)... but, if someone could give me a little more insight, I would appreciate it.

 

[Crothian]

It can vary a little but usually the cars get taken to a repair shop, they sned esitimates to the inurance companies and then the insurance compnaies deside if they are going to cover it (usually not a problem unless the car is worth less then the cost to repair). You will get billed by the insurance company and your rates may rise as a result of the accident, hard to say. There really is not a lot to it from your end, and don't be afraid to call your insurance guy if you don't hear from him as soon as you'd like. You can also ask him to explain how it works, it might be a bit differnt from my own experiences.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I'm sorry to hear about that. I'll say a prayer and hope everything works out for you.

 

[RangerWickett]

As an interesting side note, last night we were thinking of how 'life insurance' might work in D&D. You pay a company enough money and tell them to Scry on you every month, and if they find that you're dead, they teleport in, recover your body, and raise you. Of course, because you probably died somewhere hazardous, all insurance agents would have to be bad-asses.

Imagine a guy in a long trenchcoat walking into a frontier town at dawn, dust blowing past him. One townsperson looks to his stubbled face and asks disparagingly, "Who the hell are you?"

The man replies, with cool toughness, "I'm an insurance salesman."

The townsperson shudders and flees quickly, not wanting to get in the man's way.

 

[Ampolitor]

uh-oh

ok here is how it works,
Im not sure how it works in your state but in NY here is how it goes,
1, it depends on what type of insurance you have, if you have collision the repairs will be covered minus the deductable. If not then sorry to say your on your own for the repairs.
2, you insurance is responsible for the other persons repairs since you rear ended them, in NY that would be deemed as your fault.
3, You have 10 days to fill out a accident report and report it to the state AND your insurance company or you could be fined -or-they may not cover the accident. (if its over 1,000 in damage) If you are over 1,000 YOU are required to contact your insurance! AND if the police dept in your area did not fill out an accident report YOU NEED TO FILL ONE OUT! this is the first thing your insurance company will ask for. It usually takes a police dept 3 to 5 business days for it to be picked up.
Again these are NY rules you need to check with your state, but if you do not notify your insurance in a reasonable time they may not cover it, (check the fine print)!

 

[The Other Librarian]

Imagine a guy in a long trenchcoat walking into a frontier town at dawn, dust blowing past him. One townsperson looks to his stubbled face and asks disparagingly, "Who the hell are you?"

The man replies, with cool toughness, "I'm an insurance salesman."

The townsperson shudders and flees quickly, not wanting to get in the man's way.

Love it. This is getting yoinked for something, just not sure what yet!

 

[Lhorgrim]

Hopefully the local police in your area completed an accident report. That report will have all of the information you need about the other vehicle (owner etc.). In Kentucky, you would need to get a copy of the report from the police department and submit it to your insurance company. Generally, your insurance company will deal with the other person (or their insurance company) for you. If you have collision, sometimes known as full coverage, then your insurance company will probably pay for the damage to your vehicle minus your deductible. They may even pay for your tow bill. If the other person was injured then the process becomes a bit more complex, but your insurance company should handle just about everything.

Just make sure you get them a copy of the official report as soon as possible so they can start working on the claim. If the police did not do a report then you need to complete one yourself. In most states the local police can provide you with some type of self accident report.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Just a side note, it's usually a good idea to have a police officer file an accident report. If not, the other person could have minor damage, "increase" the damage after the event, and try to stick you with the bill for greater repairs or totalling the car.

This is kind of a traditional scam for those with older cars. If the damage is bad, it just gets fixed. If the damage exceeds the book value of the car, they get a check for the value of the car. If you're driving a POS, the check is the better option.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

The officer did all of the filing and everything - so, don't need to worry about that... boy, am I glad!

Hopefully, we'll be hearing from the insurance company tomorrow...

 

[Angcuru]

Hope everything works out.