Insurance Question
07-03-2008, 07:32 PM
#1
Hurley
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Insurance Question
Not boat related but I thought I would give it a try.
I was rear ended two weeks ago. Totaled a little Toyota Corolla. Fairly minor damage to my 2008 Duramax. The person that hit me took full responsibility for the damage and her boyfriend who owns the car has AAA insurance.
My damage is hard to see. The exhaust and rear hitch took most of the hit. The exhuast is bent, all the hangers are broken or bent or gone and I smell exhaust every so often. So I know its leaking. Also, damage to the plastic rear bumber cover possibly the bumper. And, the hitch has what appears to be an extremely small crack in a weld.
I'm really mift because I took the truck to the local dealer last week and it sat for 11 hours and they never even looked at it. I wouldn't think it would take much time to look at this minor of damage. Apparently AAA didn't send the estimate request in time. Whatever AAA blames the dealer. Dealer blames AAA. Either way I get a call from the dealer on Monday because they now apparently have approval to make an estimate. I told the guy I was working out of town and its really hard to get back by. I had an opportunity today for my wife to take it over and have the guy look at it. I gave him a list of the things that needed to be checked out. Again because some of the damage is really hard to see.
I made it clear I would not accept any repairs or rebuilds. I want all new parts becuase its a new truck.
So then I get a call from AAA and she says I just sent you a check for $700 for you repairs. I said wait a minute I haven't even seen the estimate yet. She seems to be in a rush to get the check out so I call the dealer and low in behold they are planning to bend my new stainless exhaust back in place and call it good. She also was quick to point out if the estimate exceeds $700 I will need to make some report to DMV. She knows I want to keep DMV and my insurance out of it. I don't want my rates going up because some dumb ass ran into the back of me. I think she thinks I don't have insurance and she is going to scare me. Give me a break. The estimate also says overhaul the bumber assembly rather than replace. I will need to get a separate estimate for the ball and receiver because its after market.
The dealer never even put the truck on the rack to look at the extend of damage. That really pissed me off because I specifically told the guy he needed to do that to see the damage.
Its really not enough money to get too worked up about I just fee like I'm being taken advantage of. What are my options at this point? I already told the dealer I will not ever buy another car from them nor have one repaired. I also told him to kiss my ass so I'm fairly sure he wouldn't fix it, even if I wanted him to.
I was rear ended two weeks ago. Totaled a little Toyota Corolla. Fairly minor damage to my 2008 Duramax. The person that hit me took full responsibility for the damage and her boyfriend who owns the car has AAA insurance.
My damage is hard to see. The exhaust and rear hitch took most of the hit. The exhuast is bent, all the hangers are broken or bent or gone and I smell exhaust every so often. So I know its leaking. Also, damage to the plastic rear bumber cover possibly the bumper. And, the hitch has what appears to be an extremely small crack in a weld.
I'm really mift because I took the truck to the local dealer last week and it sat for 11 hours and they never even looked at it. I wouldn't think it would take much time to look at this minor of damage. Apparently AAA didn't send the estimate request in time. Whatever AAA blames the dealer. Dealer blames AAA. Either way I get a call from the dealer on Monday because they now apparently have approval to make an estimate. I told the guy I was working out of town and its really hard to get back by. I had an opportunity today for my wife to take it over and have the guy look at it. I gave him a list of the things that needed to be checked out. Again because some of the damage is really hard to see.
I made it clear I would not accept any repairs or rebuilds. I want all new parts becuase its a new truck.
So then I get a call from AAA and she says I just sent you a check for $700 for you repairs. I said wait a minute I haven't even seen the estimate yet. She seems to be in a rush to get the check out so I call the dealer and low in behold they are planning to bend my new stainless exhaust back in place and call it good. She also was quick to point out if the estimate exceeds $700 I will need to make some report to DMV. She knows I want to keep DMV and my insurance out of it. I don't want my rates going up because some dumb ass ran into the back of me. I think she thinks I don't have insurance and she is going to scare me. Give me a break. The estimate also says overhaul the bumber assembly rather than replace. I will need to get a separate estimate for the ball and receiver because its after market.
The dealer never even put the truck on the rack to look at the extend of damage. That really pissed me off because I specifically told the guy he needed to do that to see the damage.
Its really not enough money to get too worked up about I just fee like I'm being taken advantage of. What are my options at this point? I already told the dealer I will not ever buy another car from them nor have one repaired. I also told him to kiss my ass so I'm fairly sure he wouldn't fix it, even if I wanted him to.
07-03-2008, 09:10 PM
#2
21 and 42 footers
Platinum Member
Get your OWN insurance company involved. You pay them to take care of you and they should. They will then go to AAA to get re-imbursed by the guy's insurance that hit you......hope you have a police/incedent report.
07-04-2008, 10:01 AM
#3
Forum Regulator
VIP Member
Absolutely get YOUR insurance involved. Do NOT cash that check. Your insurance company will fix your vehicle, and go after them for full payment. This will not raise your rates at all.
I've been through this before, and this is absolutely the right way to do it.
I've been through this before, and this is absolutely the right way to do it.
07-06-2008, 11:17 AM
#4
HP Marine Ins. Specialist
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Absolutely get your insurance company involved. It will not report badly on your insurance and your rates won't go up because they will subrogate your claim with them to AAA. It is not AAA's job to take care of you, so get your insurance company invovled now and don't cash that check from AAA.
Also, you as a consumer, have the right to use your own repair facility and get 'competing' estimates, so do that. If there is a specialty repair shop that will understand the extent of your damage, who isn't in bed with AAA, have them give you an estimate and submit that to your insurance adjuster.
Also, you as a consumer, have the right to use your own repair facility and get 'competing' estimates, so do that. If there is a specialty repair shop that will understand the extent of your damage, who isn't in bed with AAA, have them give you an estimate and submit that to your insurance adjuster.
Last edited by WakezoneINS; 07-07-2008 at 12:04 PM.
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