Question about Insurance

For small fender bender damage(<$1000 or $2000, I can't remember at the moment), exchange of insurance card info and DL numbers is appropriate. If there was clear fault, get it in writing or at the very least get pictures. The other driver's story may change later when talking with their insurance company and that can impact who gets what $$$.

Typically, higher damage (i.e., >$1000 or $2000) there needs to be a police report. In that report will be the details of the cars, location, drivers, etc.... If there was a police report, get a copy in case the insurance company doesn't want to pay up because there is confusion over who hit who.

 

It's always best to contact the police. Even if they don't do a full report, at least the basic information is documented. But just because they weren't notified, all is not lost.

Getting rear ended in a minor crash is pretty cut and dry. I would contact the other person's insurance company and inform them what happened. They will tell you what they want you to do. If you have problems, contact your insurance company, they will go after the other insurance company for you but involves more middle men and such.

Good Luck,

Andrew

Looks like JohnnyS beat me to it. Crashes (in Illinois) involving over $1,500 to any single vehicle are supposed to be reported to the police so they can be documented on an official crash report.

 

Hopefully, you filed a crash report to protect yourself. As stated, over $1500 in damage must be documented on a crash report. $1500 these days is very little damage. I strongly advise everyone to call the police on ANY accident. Without an officer coming out and performing even the most basic investigation, a driver is opening him/herself up to many potential problems. All it takes is the other driver to say something contrary and your claim could be held up or even denied. For instance, if the other driver in your GF's crash were to tell his insurance company that your girlfriend backed into him, you can see how things go south quick. I just wrapped up a crash report where the drivers did not call police because the non at fault driver needed to get home to allow his wife to go to work. To him the accident was cut and dry because the other driver made statements telling him she did not see hiim, etc. When I spoke with her the next day, she denied the statements and put the fault on the other driver completely (saying he drove into the on-coming traffic's turn lane and cut back into her). Without witnesses, all I can do as the investigating officer is document each driver's statements and let them fight it out thru insurance.

After 15 years as a road officer, being a Field Training Officer and an accident investigator trust me.............call the police and let them do a report!

The normal thing that happens at a "normal" crash is the drivers exchange the driver's license number, home telephone number, and insurance card. I would also strongly advise that you look for anyone who may have seen the accident and note the color, make, model, and license plate number of the other car. Another smart move would be to take cell phone pics of your vehicle's damage, the other car's damage, and pics of the area of the crash. The reason for pics of the area is to document what it looks like for a diagram you will need to do on the accident report you will file. You probably will not remember the roadway configuration if you're unfamiliar with the area. Another thing I would suggest is to very discretely snap a pic of the other driver. I've had several cases where the other driver later denies even being the driver! Don't be obvious and don't cause a conflict trying to get it though. Just try to get a pic of a car or something with that person in the shot. Also, make sure the insurance card is for the car being driven and it's currently active (all insurance cards should have a to and from date on them).

Please feel free to PM me with any questions and I'll be glad to try to help out.

 

To add a few more bits....

I was rear ended in a minor accident, bumper cover shattered, otherwise felt fine, but called police, etc. That was on a Thursday. By Sunday I was unable to stand straight and had incredible pain in my lower back.

I was eventually diagnosed with a severely herniated disc and two bulging discs in my back. The orthopedic surgeon who treated me told me "In a court of law, I would have to state that I did not see you before the incident. I would also state that your injuries are consistent with the type of accident you were in."

Yep, good thing I had called the police, had a report made, etc. This eliminated any doubt about the accident, whose fault it was, etc..

Pictures...are not illegal. If the other driver objects, too bad. They are in a public area and you are only documenting the vehicles and scene. What are they trying to hide? Pictures protect both sides.

As for the insurance cards, be sure to have your agent check to find out if the other card's policy is actually valid. It is very easy to get insurance for a car, and a card, then if the policy is canceled for any reason, the card still lists valid dates and nobody will check. You pay to have your required insurance, the other driver should too.

 

I actually disagree with the comments regarding calling the police. With most jurisdictions reporting to carfax these days do you want a small collision coming up on your cars history? A prior damage check coming up on your carfax will depreciate your vehicle an extra 20%.

just my 2 cents

 

If the damage is under $1500, you can still have the police come out and take a report. Since the damage is under the required reporting amount, you will not have to submit it to the state. The report is just a way to document the incident and who the at fault driver was.

 

Always call the police.

I had a somewhat minor accident... but minor damage all down the drivers side, all 3 panels. It was snowing like mad, traffic was a mess. Clearly the other guys fault. He was a nice guy.
I called my insurance agent from the scene. She INSISTED I get a report. Glad I did. Insurance agent was concerned as he had some seriously second rate insurance (I have Chubb)
Took almost 2 hours for various reasons (happened on the boarder of one town into another). I called the police. The guy kind of freaked that I called the police, but I explained why. Turns out his license was revoked, and he left the scene in handcuffs.

MONTHS went by. His insurance company essentially would not talk to me. He never filed any paperwork with them, so they kept telling me to F-off. I finally called the cop who issued the tickets / arrested the guy.... a couple of days after my call was his court date. I asked if I should show up... he said it would not hurt. Turns out I had to be at the court house anyways that day (testified in a murder trial... a whole 'nuther story!). Guy DID NOT SHOW. The judge was clearly annoyed, issued a warrent for his arrest.

Chubb (my insurance co) kept pestering me, they fixed the car... sent me to the best Audi place around. No problems on my end. I assume Chubb sued or got the other insurance co. to pony up the money. His insurance wanted to send me to "their" shops, which were all a long way away, and had names like "Bubba's chop shop". Chubb took care of everything.

Get a report. Always.

 

Progressive doesnt write the strongest estimates. If you would like a real world estimate feel free to email me a picture and the vin to [email protected]

 

If you took the check Progressive gave you, you may be out of luck. At the very least, don't cash it... Once you do, you may have given up your right to dispute the settlement amount that they gave you.

It's been a while since I've taken a business law course, but as I remember it, under basic contract law here in the US, if they make you an offer of $480 and you accept it and take the money, it's over, the deal is done and no more negotiation is required by the insurance company. You can't take what they give you and then ask for more later.

I'd have walked away without taking the check.

There is no way you can repair a bumper and get a decent paint job for $480.

I would contact a civil attorney immediately. Whatever money you put out for an attorney will be less than the amount the insurance company is trying to screw you out of. I doubt that Progessive will give you any more money without legal action, if it isn't already too late.

 

Pick a reputable bodyshop of your choice(that was not a shameless plug for me) and bring them a copy of the estimate. Have them remove the rear cover and see if there is any additional damage. If so, they will contact Progressive and create a supplement to the original estimate and will get paid directly from Progressive. Its standard practice in our industry. My guess would be that if there is any extra damage it would be minimal and Progressive would accept the supplement via fax or email. If I had a guess, based on the dollar amount, they wrote 1 hour repair and refinish with a base coat deduction at $44.00 per hour plus R&I of the cover. They probably did not add flex additive which is required on bumpers and they probably did not add wet sand and buff. Those last two items will seperate a decent job from a fantastic job.
If you would like to take a little trip up north I would be more than happy to help. We fix everything and are certified by almost every insurance company. I quick peak in my shop says a thousand words.

 

Don't cash it. As long as you didn't sign a waiver releasing them from any further indemnity, you will be holding the cards.

The check they gave you isn't acceptance of their terms if it isn't cashed.