Auto Insurance Claims: Claim procedure, own insurance, allstate

Question
QUESTION: An Allstate customer hit me. I'm in the process of making a claim. The Allstate investigator said that they will be towing my vehicle from my house, to an impound yard, so they can inspect it. I told them I did not see the need and was not comfortable with this. They said if I did not allow them to take the vehicle, they would not process the claim. Can they do this?

ANSWER: Hi Darin,
There are two possible ways to handle this claim if your carry collision on your own car.
In my opinion the preferable way is to have your own company repair your car (less your deductible).  After it's repaired, your company will subrogate against Allstate for the return of all money and reimburse your deductible to you.
Since you were not at fault, this will in no way increase your rate.
In most cases when you have the car repaired through your own insurance, you are sent to a preferred repair shop and the work is guaranteed.  The largest plus if the fact that the claim is never closed.  If 2-3 months after the repairs are completed, you should find additional damage that can be directly attributed to the accident, that damage will be covered by your own company.  You would have no guarantees or chance at recovering for future damage that you find from Allstate, once you take delivery from the repair shop the case is closed in most cases.  Allstate's reputation is rapidly going downhill and I would personally feel better dealing with my own company.  There is a joke going around the industry that Allstate is going to have to change their name to Somestate, because they are on the verge of being kicked out of several states due to their claims practices.

If you intend to continue the claim directly with Allstate, I see nothing wrong with allowing them to move the car to a location where it can be more easily inspected.  They may need to use special equipment to be able to view the undercarriage for damage and if the body damage is quiet severe, they may have to remove some sheet metal parts to look for 'hidden' damage.  I don't think you want this mess piled up on your front lawn.

I hope this information has been of help.  Please write again if you feel that I can be of more assistance.
Your feedback by rating my answer will be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area

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

QUESTION: Bennie, If I'm involved in an accident, the other driver is at fault and their insurance pays for my vehicle, can I make my own claim with my insurance company. The car was totaled and I have full coverage because I used the title for collateral on a loan.

Answer
Hi Darin,
If I correctly understand your question, Allstate will pay you for your totaled vehicle and you want to know if you can also have your own company pay you for your totaled car.

That answer would be no.

As I explained before, you can either process the clain through your own company and have them subrogate to recover damages from Allstate, or you can deal directly with Allstate for a settlement.

You can't collect from both companies for the same damage.

Please write again if I can be of more assistance.

Sincerely,
Bennie