Matt Gurnsey
New member
Having gone through this before-
Rule number one: All communications will be in writing. Period. You want a complete record of who is saying what, and you want to be able to document everything, should disagreement arise.
You are the injured party here, and the insurance company is obligated to make you whole. Use that phrase a lot when talking to them- you want to be made whole- which measn restoring you, your vehicle and your possessions yo pre-crash condition.
Pull out service records on the vehicle for the last six months- got new tires, brakes, tune-up, whatever on the new car? Ask for compensation since the replacement may need the same work.
Demand a rental car until you find a replacement vehicle. The rental car ends when you accept the restitution on the vehicle, so have the new one picked out and ready to go.
If you are replacing for a like vehicle- find one and tell the insurance company that that is the one you want, and that they need to cover its purchase expenses. Book values are theoretical- the actual selling price of a vehcile is not and you're buying a car, not theorizing about what it may be worth.
The inusrance company people are trained to be compassionate and helpful- to a point. They treat you this way to earn your trust, and so you'll feel bad asking for what you are owed. Don't fall for it. Which is another reason for everything to be in writing.
Also remember that you are not sueing the insuarnace company, you are sueing the guy who hit you. It's a slight distinction, but important.
I'm glad you guys are okay, and pray to god you're not dealing with State Farm or Allstate, as they are the worst to be dealing with when filing a claim.
My father worked in the insurance industry all his life (still does some work) and while there are decent companies out there, there are too many that will drag a claim out just to wear out the claimant and get a smaller settlement.
An hour with a lawyer may be a prudent investment.
Good luck.
Rule number one: All communications will be in writing. Period. You want a complete record of who is saying what, and you want to be able to document everything, should disagreement arise.
You are the injured party here, and the insurance company is obligated to make you whole. Use that phrase a lot when talking to them- you want to be made whole- which measn restoring you, your vehicle and your possessions yo pre-crash condition.
Pull out service records on the vehicle for the last six months- got new tires, brakes, tune-up, whatever on the new car? Ask for compensation since the replacement may need the same work.
Demand a rental car until you find a replacement vehicle. The rental car ends when you accept the restitution on the vehicle, so have the new one picked out and ready to go.
If you are replacing for a like vehicle- find one and tell the insurance company that that is the one you want, and that they need to cover its purchase expenses. Book values are theoretical- the actual selling price of a vehcile is not and you're buying a car, not theorizing about what it may be worth.
The inusrance company people are trained to be compassionate and helpful- to a point. They treat you this way to earn your trust, and so you'll feel bad asking for what you are owed. Don't fall for it. Which is another reason for everything to be in writing.
Also remember that you are not sueing the insuarnace company, you are sueing the guy who hit you. It's a slight distinction, but important.
I'm glad you guys are okay, and pray to god you're not dealing with State Farm or Allstate, as they are the worst to be dealing with when filing a claim.
My father worked in the insurance industry all his life (still does some work) and while there are decent companies out there, there are too many that will drag a claim out just to wear out the claimant and get a smaller settlement.
An hour with a lawyer may be a prudent investment.
Good luck.