Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.
Car Accident/Auto Insurance....
My son had a fender bender yesterday afternoon on Lake Miriam...he was hit from behind and my older car, that he drives, has damage to the trunk, the bumper will need to be replaced and the taillight as well. The guy that hit him got a ticket for either careless driving or following too closely, but either way, he was ticketed. I called his insurance company today, after speaking to mine, and the girl took all of the information, and then says to me, "I will be in touch with your son for his statement, and then I will be in touch with our insured for his statement, and to see if he accepts responsibility for this accident." WHAT??? I said to her, as calmly as I could, "He got a ticket...doesn't that make him responsible for this accident?" So she said she would be back in touch with me as soon as she made contact with everyone involved. HOW can he NOT accept responsibility if HE GOT A TICKET? His insurance company is USAA....she gave me repair shop information, and said they will do a "courtesy" estimate but IF HER INSURED DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCIDENT, then it is just a "courtesy" estimate. Anybody have any experience with this, even AFTER the other driver was ticketed? Thanks.....
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Polk Dad on -
I thought Florida was a 'no-fault' state where your insurance pays for your damage, regardless of fault. I haven't had an accident, so I am not entirely sure of that...
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Permalink Reply by Shane on
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You're thinking PIP. Personal Injury Protection Which has recently been changed "slightly" due to the incessant PIP fraud.
And yes, if this young man had auto coverage, his property damages would be covered under his policy if the other carrier does not step in front to pay.
Polk Dad said:I thought Florida was a 'no-fault' state where your insurance pays for your damage, regardless of fault. I haven't had an accident, so I am not entirely sure of that...
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Dodd on
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But, if my insurance has to pay, then does that not make my insurance increase? I mean, the guy got a ticket, for pete's sake...that, to me, says guess who is responsible? The police officer would not have written that ticket otherwise...right?
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Permalink Reply by Shane on
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The other carrier wants to see if your son was injured "now" as a result of this accident. Not down the road after a a bad fall from wake boarding, etc. There's also an epidemic of "stop and squats" in Florida, where one driver stops suddenly for no reason for the PIP coverage. There's more to the story, or process, than what some may know about.
Your comment does not seem like anything out of the ordinary. Don't sweat it.
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Dodd on
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Yes, I know that there are tons of dishonest people here. But, what does one thing (injury...I told her there was no injury) have to do with her insured accepting responsibility for the accident? I just got a call from the auto body place they use and the claim still says "liability pending." Shane, do/did you work in insurance?
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Permalink Reply by Shane on
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The carrier wants your "son's" statement as to his injury status. They could also be checking off the boxes per say, before accepting liability on this accident. They are likely speaking to the other driver (their) to make sure of all the facts, before making a decision. That driver may have not presented themself as available yet.
USAA is known for being a very good carrier. But very thorough. What most would want from their carrier. Good honest investiagation, then a fair settlement.
I neither work for USAA, nor have insurance with them. But reputations do get around.
Insurance companies are not all alike, as some people like to believe. Just like any other profession, there's the good and the ugly. More good than ugly. But the ugly is where the Department of Insurance comes in to play.
Take a breath. This issue will most likely be over before you know it.
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Permalink Reply by LkldMom on
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If I remember correctly, the cops do not determine liability even when a driver is cited, the insurance company does. I'm thinking for the situation you described that this will be over before you know it just as Shane said.
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Dodd on
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Thank you all for your responses. As I recall from my own driver's ed, (granted it was a hundred years ago!), whenever you hit someone from behind, it is automatically your fault. My only issue is with what she said...."We have to wait and see if my insured accepts responsibility for the accident." THAT is what is puzzling to me...if he accepts responsibility? He hit my car....there is red paint all over my silver car in the rear, and the trunk, bumper and taillight are proof that he hit my car...so...what if he does not "accept responsibility?" That is the puzzle here. You guys are all great...thanks for your encouragement.
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Permalink Reply by Jenna on -
We had this same thing happen to us last year. We had just made the second payment on a brand new car, went to visit my MIL in Okeecobee and a gentleman hit us. He was sited for the accident. Upon calling his insurance company we were told the same thing as you. I was floored. Needless to say it took them about a month to make contact with the gentleman, due to the fact that he can barely hear and needed his wife's assistance with the call (mind you she was not in the auto at the time of the accident). We had to fight with his insurance to have our auto fixed with brand new parts, not used or repaired.
Unfortunately, we have insurance to protect ourselves. Florida is a no fault state, in most cases your insurance handles the claim and then contacts the opposings insurance for reimbursement. However, when this happens your insurance premium increase, because you had a claim. I will never allow my insurance to pay for someone else's neglect.
Good luck and stay on them!
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Permalink Reply by Rev Anthony Myers on -
The 'best' thing to do would be to file a claim with your own insurance company and let them handle all of the repairs. You would pay your deductible, which they should get back from the other insurance company once the claim has been finalized. This process should not affect your insurance rates since it was not your son's fault. I have had State Farm for over 30 years; my car has been hit twice and both times State Farm has handled my claims, and returned my deductibles and has never raised my rates because of accidents. Also, I would never let my son make a statement to the other insurance company. Any statement they need can come from your own claims representative. Just my two cents worth. Good Luck.
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Permalink Reply by Loan Muller on
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Wow I hope that things are a little more resolved now. It seems completely unfair for this man to not own up. I would get a lawyer if things got out of control…since it seems like having affordable car insurance is not enough these days.
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Dodd on
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They totaled the car. The guy bent the frame, and there was some pretty severe damage to the rear end of the car and the repairs were more than the car was worth, However, that car ran perfectly and I kept it well-maintained...just had $300 of work put into it the day after the accident because I never expected it to be totaled and it was quite drive-able. So...that is where we sit now. Have to find him a cheap, reliable car, however, And pretty quick. Any suggestions?
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