So I crashed my car, Could anyone explain how to deal with Insurance? 

"Ilike_cougars" (rohitvenkat01) 01/06/2015 at 14:01 • Filed to: None

1

40

So it was a very snowy day in Pittsburgh today, long story short, I under steered on some black ice and hit a curb. The good news, there is no body damage, the bad news the front left ball joint sheered off the lower control arm and the rear wheel is in positive camber so Id imagine the sway bar is bent and needs the ball joint for it as well. (All this was with proper winter tires mind you).

I need to understand what will Insurance cover if I have full coverage with a 500 deductible. And what should I expect? I ask this because I have never filed a claim in the US.

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:04

2

I dont know much, but check before on a shop if the repair is cheaper than the deductible.

Ilike_cougars > OkCars- 22k Crossroads 01/06/2015 at 14:06

0

I dont think it will be, we are talking about BMW parts here so..

nermal > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:10

1

Sorry to hear that, there's been jagoffs sliding around and smashing into things all over the place, with seemingly not too much snow.

Did the police come? Did you have to have the car towed?

Regardless, filing a claim should be as simple as calling your insurance company's 800 # and pressing the button to file a claim, then follow the prompts. They'll probably sent an adjuster out to look at it, but it may take a bit because I'm guessing the local ones are going to be busy for the next few days.

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:11

0

dang. Im currently in the same situation, i had an accident by myself, but need instead 08 mustang parts.

davedave1111 > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:11

1

Be aware that you have an obligation to notify your insurance company, even if you fix it yourself. Not to do so is to commit insurance fraud - and while you might be able to get away with it, that's what you'd be doing: not 'exploiting a loophole' but committing a criminal offence.

(If you want to check that for your jurisdiction, look up 'utmost good faith' - but I've never heard of anywhere the principle doesn't apply.)

Do you have an insurance agent? If so, contact them. Otherwise, contact your insurer's claims line and tell them what happened.

As for what they'll cover, they'll pay everything after the first $500. You'd need to check your policy book to find out if they'll pay for a rental while your car is fixed.

Steve in Manhattan > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:13

0

Depends on your situation. If you're young and haven't had insurance very long, it might be best to pay it yourself to avoid a bump in rates. On the other hand, if you've been driving for a while and have never had a claim, let them fix the car.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:13

0

What kind of car is it? LCA and ball joint sounds less than that deductible to me. Sway bars usually have adjustable end links, so you might be able to get away with just shortening one and increasing the length of the other. Alternatively, the sway bar itself is also really cheap, the end links are probably fine, and it takes like ten minutes to replace.

450X_FTW > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:21

3

Would take it to a shop and have the determine how much damage has been done. Might just need to replace a few parts. If you tweaked the frame/unibody then it could get costly real quick

Louros > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 14:27

1

This is completely incorrect.

davedave1111 > Louros 01/06/2015 at 14:32

0

No, I'm afraid not. Care to tell us what you think is wrong about it?

As Du Volant > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:33

0

It was slippy aht this morning but that didn't stop everybody from driving like a buncha jagoffs.

Insurance should cover everything that was damaged in the crash except for the first $500. For rental car coverage n'at you'll have to check your policy.

Bummer about the car. Be sure to wear your babushka, it's gonna be cold aht the next coupla days!

davedave1111 > Steve in Manhattan 01/06/2015 at 14:33

0

No, see my post above. You have to declare it whether you claim or not.

Wacko > 450X_FTW 01/06/2015 at 14:33

1

davedave1111 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/06/2015 at 14:34

0

I know this is a widespread myth, but please see my post above. You are obliged to declare the accident whether or not you're claiming money.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 14:41

0

Sorry, I'm not calling my insurance company or the police next time I bend a control arm in a low speed single-vehicle incident with no property damage apart to to my own. That's stupid. I don't care what the law is. Maybe I should call them for the kerb rash on my wheels? That's technically an accident if you're calling other instances of bumping the kerb one.

Steve in Manhattan > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 14:52

1

Asked Lehto to weigh in on whether you have to report the accident to the insurer. I'm honestly not sure.

jariten1781 > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 15:01

1

Not always. My Geico policy states that damage less than 500$s to my own property need not be reported; if there's any damage to other persons property it does have to though. I've previously had policies that damage up to 1000$s did not need to be reported (regardless of what was damaged) and others where everything was supposed to be reported.

davedave1111 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/06/2015 at 15:03

0

"That's stupid. I don't care what the law is."

Well, something there's stupid...

The fact is that not declaring accidents is insurance fraud and as well as being a criminal offence will usually invalidate your policy if you ever try and claim. It's a mugs' game.

"Maybe I should call them for the kerb rash on my wheels? That's technically an accident if you're calling other instances of bumping the kerb one."

Google it. You have to notify them of any incident which would materially affect the risk of insuring you (and therefore the price of your insurance). Kerb rash is not considered to be that serious. Parking dings usually aren't, although arguably a whole series of them could be considered an important indicator that someone just can't drive. As a rule of thumb, if it's something you might put in a claim for, you must tell them.

Hitting a kerb hard enough to break a wheel off and smash up the suspension is indisputably an important incident that you have an obligation to report.

[ETA: By the way, whether or not you have to report something to the police is a very different matter.]

Ilike_cougars > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 15:03

1

Ok, I did report the accident so no problem there, I don't have the necessary skills to fix this on my own anyway . thanks for this input, seeing as they might cover most of it the repair is good. The problem is when shit like this happens, you dont think straight, so all I heard was a bit mumbo jumbo from statefarm. I thought it would be better now, to understand what I need to do, since I have cooled down a bit.

Ilike_cougars > OkCars- 22k Crossroads 01/06/2015 at 15:04

1

Man Mustang Parts probably are a lot cheaper then what I might be slapped with..

Ilike_cougars > 450X_FTW 01/06/2015 at 15:04

0

I dont think the frame is damaged(I hope)

Ilike_cougars > nermal 01/06/2015 at 15:06

0

No police was involved, the tow truck showed up before they did. Seeing as there wasnt any property damage except my car, didnt think it was necessary.

Ilike_cougars > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/06/2015 at 15:09

0

BMW M roadster.. may be a lot more I think.. Im putting away about 2 grand for the repair just in case..

davedave1111 > jariten1781 01/06/2015 at 15:11

0

Well, yes, that's just telling you what level they consider 'important'. I'm surprised it's been that high, though. I meant to add to the OP that it's good to read your policy booklet for this kind of thing too.

davedave1111 > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 15:14

1

That's right. I should have said before that you don't have to do anything right away. Take a while to calm down fast, then read through your policy booklet, then call them. Sounds like that's roughly what you've done.

And remember, it's only some relatively minor damage to a car. As long as no-one's hurt it's really not a big deal, however much it might seem like one right now.

Ilike_cougars > As Du Volant 01/06/2015 at 15:14

0

Yeah I know what you mean, I was actually driving pretty slow just for that reason, but when you hit a patch of black ice, just nothing you can do, even the DSC just gave up.. ha ha..

But yeah I have a 1000 dollar limit on rental cars so that should atleast be good for a few days. if I get one.. most of the rental cars around the area are out of cars..

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 15:17

0

The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such crash or as close thereto as possible, and shall forthwith return to, and in every event shall remain at, the scene of the crash until he or she has fulfilled the requirements of s. 316.062 . A person who violates this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083 . Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, $5 shall be added to a fine imposed pursuant to this section, which $5 shall be deposited in the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund..

It doesn't specify serious, it specifies damage. Kerb rash and door dings are damage. If you're going to be a pedant and insist that minor single-car accidents that do not result in injury or other property damage need to be reported to the police and insurance, stick to your guns. Your insurance company will love you, I'm sure. They'll get to bump up your rates without you ever meeting your deductible.

SteveLehto > Steve in Manhattan 01/06/2015 at 15:18

1

I am curious. Is the argument that the LAW requires you to report it or the POLICY requires it? If the law, I'd like to see the citation so I could look it up. If the policy, you just look at what IT says. The law is not as mysterious as people make it out to be. If it's a law, then it should be easy enough to point out.

I can see why there might be such a requirement in a policy but can't see as compelling a reason for a law (other than the general law that the policy is enforceable). Doesn't mean I don't believe it. I'd just like to see it.

jariten1781 > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 15:21

1

Good luck finding it in the policy documents.... Mine is buried in the Rate Class portion of the document along with tons of nonsense that doesn't even apply to my policy. Sadly I'm one of those people who bothers to read the user agreements for software so I read through the whole thing.

Other weird things that don't have to be reported on this one are damage caused by animal strikes, damage caused by flying gravel, and any damage that occurs to a parked vehicle (other than roll-aways). No dollar amount assigned for any of those. The last one I find really strange since I'd think the actuaries would want to know if you're parked somewhere where you're constantly being vandalized... I guess they just use crime statistics instead or something.

davedave1111 > jariten1781 01/06/2015 at 15:26

0

"The last one I find really strange since I'd think the actuaries would want to know if you're parked somewhere where you're constantly being vandalized... I guess they just use crime statistics instead or something."

Possibly, but it could conceivably be the result of some piece of legislation in whatever jurisdiction that's in.

Is deliberate damage - e.g. caused during a break-in - treated differently? If not it does seem a tad odd.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 15:27

0

Looks like they're cheap on the ebay.

Steve in Manhattan > SteveLehto 01/06/2015 at 15:28

0

As you may know, I am out of my depth here. As it stands, I believe that Ilike_cougars already reported it, so here the issue is moot. On a practical level, it seems to me that if you ripped off your side mirror and it was $375 to install a new one, the insurance company wouldn't want to be bothered with a report.

SteveLehto > Steve in Manhattan 01/06/2015 at 15:33

0

That was my first thought. But whenever someone tells me its the law, I always ask if someone can show me the actual law.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/06/2015 at 15:34

0

Also, elsewhere the damage is specified as $500. A control arm and ball joint is about a hundred bucks tops for most cars. Kerb rash on a Ferrari wheel and you're still SOL.

jariten1781 > davedave1111 01/06/2015 at 15:35

1

Nope, it's just in general. It's in a big ol list of exceptions to the general policy wording earlier in the document. Had to look it up to get the wording:

Automobile Lawfully Parked. An automobile rolling from a parked position, however, shall not be considered as lawfully parked, but as the operation of the last operator.

davedave1111 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/06/2015 at 15:36

0

What your local jurisdiction says about reporting to the police is a different matter.

For what it's worth, and I'm not a lawyer, I think the key to this one is in the linked subsection 316.062:

The driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury to or death of any person or damage to any vehicle or other property which is driven or attended by any person shall give his or her name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle he or she is driving, and shall upon request and if available exhibit his or her license or permit to drive, to any person injured in such crash or to the driver or occupant of or person attending any vehicle or other property damaged in the crash and shall give such information and, upon request, exhibit such license or permit to any police officer at the scene of the crash or who is investigating the crash and shall render to any person injured in the crash reasonable assistance, including the carrying, or the making of arrangements for the carrying, of such person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment if it is apparent that treatment is necessary, or if such carrying is requested by the injured person.

(2)In the event none of the persons specified are in condition to receive the information to which they otherwise would be entitled under subsection (1), and no police officer is present, the driver of any vehicle involved in such crash, after fulfilling all other requirements of s. 316.027 and subsection (1), insofar as possible on his or her part to be performed, shall forthwith report the crash to the nearest office of a duly authorized police authority and submit thereto the information specified in subsection (1).

As far as I can see, in a single-vehicle accident there's no obligation to report anything, since all you'd have to do is 'give' your details to yourself. Just a guess, though.

The issue with regard to insurance is totally separate. Please read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uberrima_…

Steve in Manhattan > SteveLehto 01/06/2015 at 15:41

1

Exactly - "on the books" means something. Like when the NYPD tells you it's illegal to record them. Um, no. It's not.

Meatcoma > OkCars- 22k Crossroads 01/06/2015 at 15:42

0

You are going to have to pay your deductible so if it's cheaper you want to handle it without insurance. If it's not, then just call them and explain the situation. I assume you have full coverage, if not you are on your own.

Ilike_cougars > Steve in Manhattan 01/06/2015 at 19:12

1

Where I'm from (India) insurance was really not given that much importance, all we needed was a document for registring the vehicle to drive on the road. We used to take care of all accident repairs out of your own pocket. This was close to 8 years ago, so I really don't know how it is now.. I was always under the impression that it shouldnt be any different here.. But in general it's good to know what the best course of action for a situation such as this..Thanks for the input.. And Letho

Steve in Manhattan > Ilike_cougars 01/06/2015 at 19:23

0

Check out your state's rules - some states don't require insurance, some require both comprehensive and collision insurance, I think, some just collision. http://www.valuepenguin.com/collision-comp…