Auto Insurance Claims: Hydroplaned in storm, new insurance, insurance comp, insurance question

Question
QUESTION: Hello there, Thank you in advance for any advice that you can give to me.

I purchased an '06 Jeep in October of last year (2008) with low miles. About 2 weeks ago during a storm I hit some water and ran into a wall.

Since my 6 months with a highly priced insurance company were up, I had just changed insurance companies about a week prior to the accident.

When the accident happened, it was very late at night and storming. I called a family member who works for a towing company and he came and towed me to my driveway. The police never showed up.

I hadn't ever been in an accident before, and so I thought that I would have to have the cash for my deductible right then and there, so I waited until I had saved it up (which is now) before contacting the insurance company.

In talking to a friend's dad, he told me that I am going to be screwed on my insurance claim because I didn't wait at the scene for the police and because I didn't call the insurance company yet.

Is that true? I want to call and make my claim but I don't want to mess anything up when I do.

ANSWER: Hello,

I want it known that my answer here is not to be construed as legal advice of which I cannot give because I am not an attorney. My answer is given based on both professional and personal experiences in these matters.

Your father is right, you have some problems here. You left the scene of an accident. Cops don't like this because there is the issue that they could have charged you with something as well as finding someone responsible for damaged to the wall you crashed into.

Happened once to me in northern WI where there are 3 cops for 90 square miles. Drunk had caused crash and fled forcing me into guardrail. Took damaged car home. Insurance comp demanded police report for submitting claim. Called PD the next day and it was stated they were concerned about who was going to pay for damage of scrapes to guard rail.

Since you have waited so long to report it, the cops may not even write a report for you and then your insurance company won't pay claim.

Drunks commonly are in an accident and leave the scene if they can to at least sober up before reporting crime.

Bottom line--contact the police agency responsible for the area you crashed in. If there is damage, they may go after your insurance company. They may or may not write a report. They may or may not charge you with leaving the scene. This is the only possible way that you might get your repairs covered.

Rob



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for the advice.

It was a side rail that I hit, but it was made of concrete and there was no damage to it, aside from adding a scrape mark to the 20 or so already on it from what I assume are other "crashers".

I had not been drinking at all that day I was just taking someone to work.

I suppose that I need to make some phone calls then.

Thanks again.

Answer
Hello,

Trust me, if they can, they will make you responsible for one of those 20 marks if they can. In reality they won't be able to differentiate. It's just cities are looking for anything they can get.

I wouldn't worry about it. Just deal with the attitudes of the cops, get your report and turn everything in to the insurance company.

If you liked my answer, please give me a rating.

Thanks,

Rob