Auto Insurance Claims: Insurance company, state insurance commissioners, storage fees

Question
My husband was rear-ended and pushed into the vehicle in front of him. We filed a claim with the at-fault drivers insurance company that afternoon. The told us they could not give us a rental until their client made a recorded statement. They informed us that all of her numbers were disconnect and she had not called and reported the accident. They finally got in touch with her one week later. Then they told us that the adjuster had considered it a total loss. We informed the insurance company that we were getting a second appraiser. It has been ten days and they still have not provided a rental. Now they are telling us we have to release the vehicle in order to get a rental. AARRGG!!! What do we do ??? Is this legal?? We have been more than happy to comply with everything they needed.  Now they are telling me if I don't release it to them today that I will be responsable for the storage fees as of tommorrow. We have'nt even received an offer from them yet!!! What do we do??? Don't they have to give use a rental??? Please Help

Answer
Hi Valerie,

Insurance companies do not care about you at all. You should file a complaint with your state insurance commissioners office.  The company should provide you a rental car. You should not release the vehicle until you have agreed, in writing, on the value of the vehicle.  They do have the right to make you pay for storage after a reasonable period.  If you can not come to a value agreenment, you should have the vehicle towed to your home so their will not be any storage charges.

The other alternative is to place the claim with your insurance company and let them fight it out with the atfault insurance company.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh