OT: insurance advice

[alf]

Hi,

my Outback was rear ended yesterday. not too bad, but it sucks -
bumper is hanging off, rear door bent inside a little, car is drivable
but does not hold the straight line when I do not touch steering wheel.

the other party (Geico) accepts the whole liability. I two options now:
go thru the case with my insurance or directly via Geico. Any thing I
have to look for dealing with them directly?

should I get like Subaru dealership quote too?

thx, Andy

 

[VanguardLH]

Hi,

my Outback was rear ended yesterday. not too bad, but it sucks -
bumper is hanging off, rear door bent inside a little, car is
drivable but does not hold the straight line when I do not touch
steering wheel.

the other party (Geico) accepts the whole liability. I two options
now: go thru the case with my insurance or directly via Geico. Any
thing I have to look for dealing with them directly?

should I get like Subaru dealership quote too?

If you wait until Geico hands you check sometime later and if that
doesn't happen or they only partially pay, you might have problems
trying to report a several-month old incident to your insurance
company. Notify your insurance company of the incident, give them the
details, but tell them you are proceeding against the other driver's
insurance company (i.e., at this time, you are not going to apply the
damages against your own coverage).

Don't rely on the payer to give an accurate quote for repairs.

 

[Frank]

If you wait until Geico hands you check sometime later and if that
doesn't happen or they only partially pay, you might have problems
trying to report a several-month old incident to your insurance
company. Notify your insurance company of the incident, give them the
details, but tell them you are proceeding against the other driver's
insurance company (i.e., at this time, you are not going to apply the
damages against your own coverage).

Don't rely on the payer to give an accurate quote for repairs.

Good advice but do not put yourself out. Go to shop you like and get
them to work with Geico to pay. Also, get Geico to pay for a rental.
Caution if you were to put it on your insurance, it would go up and you
may wait forever to get back deductible as your insurance will take time
getting money through Geico. Do not sign off until you are fully
satisfied. In my state, even if you sign settlement, insurance is
responsible for health claims up to a year.

 

[clare at snyder.on.ca]

Good advice but do not put yourself out. Go to shop you like and get
them to work with Geico to pay. Also, get Geico to pay for a rental.
Caution if you were to put it on your insurance, it would go up and you
may wait forever to get back deductible as your insurance will take time
getting money through Geico. Do not sign off until you are fully
satisfied. In my state, even if you sign settlement, insurance is
responsible for health claims up to a year.

And remember YOU HAVE A CHOICE where the car is repaired. You do not
need to have it done where Geico "recommends"

 

[bigjim]

Notify your insurance but collect through Geico. They will also pay
your rental if you demand it. Bring vehicle to body shop you trust-
remember most dealerships sub out body work!!!! Let Geico appraise
damage but make sure to get car fixed where YOU want. The damage
sounds more than just cosmetic so you want it fixed right.

 

[alf]

Notify your insurance but collect through Geico. They will also pay
your rental if you demand it. Bring vehicle to body shop you trust-
remember most dealerships sub out body work!!!! Let Geico appraise
damage but make sure to get car fixed where YOU want. The damage
sounds more than just cosmetic so you want it fixed right.

that "cosmetics" are worth $4800 - I went to the body shop I used
before. the impact went quite deep plus rear door is to be replaced. now
I probably want to collect cash and drive the car it is and probably
sell it cheap anytime soon.

 

[Frank]

that "cosmetics" are worth $4800 - I went to the body shop I used
before. the impact went quite deep plus rear door is to be replaced. now
I probably want to collect cash and drive the car it is and probably
sell it cheap anytime soon.

You did not give age or book value of car. My limited experience says
that insurance company may total the car and offer book value when cost
of repair approaches ~70% of book value.

 

[bigjim]

That's your choice if you want a check and then get it fixed a
little. It sounds like something is bent and car doesnt track well.
My point was that if you have a minor scratch any shop can fix that..
With serious body/frame damage you want it done right. I

 

[alf]

That's your choice if you want a check and then get it fixed a
little. It sounds like something is bent and car doesnt track well.

it does not track very well, but well enough. The adjustr from body shop
said that main frame is not impacted - so it could be something else.
Will think it thru. Tomorrow I will take it for wheel alignment (I have
a lifetime package for that car)

 

[alf]

You did not give age or book value of car. My limited experience says
that insurance company may total the car and offer book value when cost
of repair approaches ~70% of book value.

the edmunds value of the car before the accident was about $7500-8000
for private party deal, $6700 - trade in.

Next week adjuster from Geico will see it - I expect a much lower quote.

 

[Frank]

the edmunds value of the car before the accident was about $7500-8000
for private party deal, $6700 - trade in.

Next week adjuster from Geico will see it - I expect a much lower quote.

You should be OK. When my Forester was totaled, I put it on my
insurance because of the time factor in getting the police report on the
woman that caused the accident and needing a car for a scheduled
vacation. I was ticked off at State Farm for taking 8 days to make
decision where book value actually dropped $100. Got money, including
the $100 and bought new Forester, then went back to first insurance
company to get deductible and settle. They were a pain but fortunately
I have two lawyer sons and outcome was more favorable when one mediated.
Insurance companies are tight fisted, even with their own clients, and
you have to hang tough with them.