Car Totaled have Question

[smstonypoint]

The other Insurance Company is paying for the rental car, however we had to wait 5 days to get it.

I think me missing work, tax, tag, and title for a new car is a direct expense associated with the accident. I would not have these expenses if it were not for the accident.

I left a message for the adjuster last Friday, but have not received a return call.

I was in NC when a lady went to sleep, crossed the center line, and ran into me in my 2004 Tundra. The truck had less than 4,000 miles on it at the time. In 2004, NC required a minimum of only 25K in property liability insurance for its residents. I was lucky that my insurance agent advised me to buy under-insured motorist coverage. Had I not purchased the coverage, I would have not received the "totaled value" of the truck plus the expense of a rental car. My insurance company ended up paying the difference. I ended up with a new truck for $800 plus tax, title, & tag and a sore neck for a week or so.

Although there may be differences across policies, I was not able to claim my expenses for taxes, title, or tag transfer. I agree with an earlier post that you would have to go after the other driver in small claims court if you wanted to be compensated for those losses.

Steve

PS -- Expect to receive a lot of letters from personal injury lawyers.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I won't go after the other insured. It was a high school girl who I am sure is on her parents insurance.

At the accident I could tell she was up set and I tried to comfort her telling her how lucky they were that they were not hurt and to not worry about the cars for they can be replaced. Her mother was there and told me how her daughter had been having trouble with the car and such.

I realize the family was not as well off financially as others so I not going to make it worse

 

[vtsnowedin]

Another thing. If your kid totaled his car and walked away from it in one piece the car has done it's job like a hero and don't owe you a dime. My youngest fell asleep at the wheel and hit a stone foundation head on with a Toyota Camry and walked away. Camrys are VERY good cars.

 

[ultrarunner]

We have had some success in both getting a higher pay out and in another case getting to keep the car for very little.

I all depends on the adjustor and what you can provided via documentation.

We found an identical car in excellent condition that was $1500 more than the company offered... told them there number was too low and she approved the higher amount provided we bought the car.

In another case, my brother's 68 Mustang was stolen and recovered... was able to buy the car for $250.00 plus got a check for $6,500.

Spent 2k replacing the parts stripped and a couple of years later sold it for $7,500

Documentation can help the adjustor see things your way...

Paper pushers need paper.

 

[tallyho8]

I have heard from several people in our area lately who have been in wrecks where their car was totaled and the insurance company is offering them $1000 to sign a release even if they aren't injured.

I guess this is to protect them in case they decide to file an injury lawsuit a year from now.

You will not collect money for the time you spend shopping for a new car, etc. but when a drunk hit me and totaled my truck in 1987, and I had to order a new one from the factory, they paid for my rental truck for 2 months until the new one came in. I am sure that if you rented a car from Hertz for 5 days until your rental car they provide came in that they would pay that bill also.

 

[MikePA]

Also, I think I should be reimbursed for time to look for a new car, canceling the insurance, turning in the tag and having to buy another. It will take a while to find a car that was in this good of condition.

Has anyone recovered their cost in time and aggravation due to an accident that was not your fault? To me, I should be reimbursed to time off work to look for a car, go to the accident scene, leave to get the rental car, etc.

I am not asking for a large amount just maybe $2,000.00 more to cover my time, trouble, and expense. It was their fault not my son's.

As others have said, no, you will not be reimbursed for your 'time, trouble, and expense.'

 

[dodge man]

I have had two cars totaled out from under me, neither of them were my fault. Both times I got what I considered was a fair value, but not any more than that.

Did your son visit the ER or see a doctor? If he did, you are entitled to "pain and suffering" money, which is usually based on medical bills. In one of my wrecks, I was rear ended by a 16 year old on his way to prom. I had some whiplash and had a sore neck and back for a few weeks. I got some money for this but not much, maybe a $1000 and I had to sign a release. It doesn't hurt to ask for this money.

Normally you don't get any money for missed work unless it was a direct result of an injury from the wreck. I did get a weeks car rental once though, which helped because I didn't have another vehicle to drive.

 

[deerseeker001]

i would get a estimate ans see what is damaged and cost involved.the neighbors wife hit a deer on her Nissan and they totaled it with out even looking at it.He then got the car back and applied for a new title and is driving today.

 

[jinman]

That is the way I was heading. I just think I should be able to recoup the time missed at work and some expense for looking for a car.

David, I think you have to know what are the limits on the policy of the at-fault driver. The insurance company may only insure for actual damage. The remainder of your claim would require a personal lawsuit against the driver. The insurance might actually cover that, but it would require a court judgement before they would pay up. An ambulance chasing lawyer could probably help you recover those loses, but they will want their share so they can make payments on their Bentley.

 

[smstonypoint]

An ambulance chasing lawyer could probably help you recover those loses, but they will want their share so they can make payments on their Bentley.

Now, that's not a very nice thing to say -- we have at least one attorney in the TBN family.

Steve