QuestionMy 19 yr old daughter was hit by a hit and run driver last night. She is ok, but her 2005 VW Jetta has some rear end damage that might cost $3000 or more to fix. Should I file this against our insurance policy or fix it without filing? We are already paying a substantial amount for our insurance and don't want it to increase anymore.
Answer
auto insurance rate increase
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) Insurance Claim
Hit & Run or Phantom Car Personal Injuries and Property Damage
hit & run claim
trauma soft tissue personal injuries
NEVER TOO LATE TO REPORT PERSONAL INJURIES FROM A CAR ACCIDENT
Dear Jim
USE YOUR INSURANCE, BY ALL MEANS!!
Your state insurance commissioner http://www.settlementcentral.com/links.php
will NOT LET THE INSURANCE COMPANY INCREASE YOUR RATES for using what you have paid for on ANY AND ALL accidents where you or your insured WAS NOT AT FAULT.
So feel free to make the claim inasmuch as they CANNOT increase your rates when your side was not at fault.
For your general information on how to handle such hit and run claims, please see this excellent article: Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) Insurance Claim: Hit & Run or Phantom Car That Caused Personal Injuries and Property Damage
http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0550.htm
SIDEBAR ON PERSONAL INJURIES
Anyone in a car that suffered that much in property damage also was subjected to sufficient force to produce soft tissue personal injuries.
Thus, I am going to pass along some URL links to pages that would aid you and your daughter in making a claim under your UIM for an award for those injuries.
AGAIN, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING that can be used to raise your rates, inasmuch as it is soley the fault of the hit and run driver.
Soft tissue injuries have a way of creeping up on people, where a couple of weeks, or even a couple of months after the accident.
Sometimes it can be a nagging ache that develops, especially after some physical activity. MAKE SURE YOUR DAUGHTER GETS MEDICAL CARE for that type of symptom. Alert her to be on the lookout for such symptoms. Report them to the doctor ASAP and make sure she mentions the auto accident.
It is NEVER TOO LATE TO REPORT PERSONAL INJURIES FROM A CAR ACCIDENT http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0104.htm
Personal Injury Insurance Claim: Insurance Company Payment of Medical Expenses as Incurred http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0201.htm
Managing Medical Care After Auto Accident: http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0203.htm
By the way, did you know that getting an early settlement is a favorite trick of the insurance adjusters? Please see my website wherein we show Insurance Claim Adjuster Secret Tactics http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0092.htm
Responding to Settlement Offer From Insurance Claims Adjuster http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0244.htm
FINAL TOPIC: Effective communication with insurance claims adjusters. Establish Firm, Professional, and Positive Relationships With the Insurance Injury Claims Adjuster http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0059.htm
Always communicate with the adjuster in writing, showing your own analysis of value. It is OK I guess to have one call or so, but no more. Always have your information and ammunition in writing to give to the adjuster.
Let him know that you are FIRM IN YOUR RESOLVE to get what you are demanding (NOT "asking", since that invites a counter-offer, but instead "demanding" as fair and reasonable compensation) by asking him what the options are to resolve the matter fairly should he not agree to a reasonable claim value. In other words, let him know that you will go through with a court filing if need be.
Remember these tips, do your homework, print out your evidence, show resolve to get your fair settlement, and you will DO JUST FINE.
I trust that my extra time here has produced some information that has been of value to you, and thus I would respectfully request that you locate the feedback form on this site and leave some feedback for me.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
http://www.SettlementCentral.Com
Medical Care Documentation-the Key to Successful Personal Injury Insurance Claim Settlements http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0217.htm
Keys to a MAXIMUM INSURANCE INJURY CLAIM SETTLEMENT http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0089.htm
