Auto Insurance Claims: Not at fault - what to do?, paint damage, side doors


Question
To me the car is undriveable since rear bumper system is compromised and Sliding door of van closes but alarm remains on as if not closed and you can hear air whistling in.  Front door closes and locks, but when unlocked it seems to open silently - without that clicking sound. No damage to lights. I drive kids around and do not know how bumper could absorb another hit or if the doors are really closed safely. What do you think?  

We called sheriff from accident scene and they said police won't come to accident unless injuries or blocking traffic - so should I file an after the fact police report?  

Accident happened wed., claim opened on thurs., called on thurs and fri with no return call to two questions I asked of them - what is rental rate and are they going to look at car or should I get quote.  So your advice is to work directly with at-fault drivers insurance company and wait till they evaluate car rather than bringing my insurance company in or obtaining quote.- Assuming she reported it as her own fault.

I was also hit 2 months ago in a parking lot.  Other driver was at fault (there were witnesses) and we agreed to settle without insurance involvement.  I am still trying to collect $1000 for repairs which have yet to be done -  any advice on how to get him to pay?

Also, prior minor paint damage on bumper that was hit - how might this and above prior damage affect settlement?


Thanks again!


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Followup To

Question -
I was stopped at a light, when someone hit me from behind.  It pushed me into car in front of me.  Very minor damage to car in front of me.  Lady in back admitted fault and opened a claim next day.  I got claim number and adjuster name, but so far no return calls in 48 hours.  My bumper is severely damaged with damage to support to bumber as well, and right side doors do not close properly.  I rented a car (under $30/day)and gave car agency claim number although I have not yet spoke to adjuster.  My question is, should I get my insurance company involved or do I get repair quote and submit it to her insurance. Also, not immediate pain, but what if that comes later?  Do I need to file a police report, see a doctor?  Also, since my car is 5 years old, I am thinking they will probably total the car. I am really in need of advice on how to proceed and what to expect.  Thanks!!!!!!!

Answer -
When you say the right doors do not close properly, do you mean they won't close or are just rubbing?  Are you tail lamps broken?  The reason I ask these questions is that the other insurance company will not owe you rental reimbursement unless your car is not legally or safely drivable. Bent metal and poor fitting panels do not justify a replacement vehicle.  If you have broken lenses, parts rubbing on tires or on the ground or doors that have to be tied shut, then that is a different story.

Keep in mind that 48 hours ago, it was the day before a holiday weekend.  You may not hear from anyone until Tuesday.  If you don't hear from that adjuster on Tuesday, then you may want to call the company back and as for the name of that adjuster's supervisor.  I'd then leave a message for that person.  Getting an estimate on the car will be a waste of time as each insurer is going to write their own estimate anyway.  As far as filing a claim with your own company, that is an option, but as the other driver has reported the claim and apparantly admitted fault, you may want to give them a few days.

As far as filing a police report,  the time of the accident would have been good.  At this point, all the police are going to do is write down that "Driver states......
It will mean nothing to the insurance company without cooresponding statements from the other drivers.

As far as injuries, all I can give you is my opinion.  If you are not hurting by this time, you're likely fine.  I believe that folks who start visiting doctors and especially chiropractors several days after a wreck are either letting the stress get to their body or they're after money.  Do remember, my profile states an honest answer and the fact that the door is binding tells me that the structure of the vehicle absorbed the impact instead of your body.  

The car did its job, but depending on the make and mileage could be a total.  For total loss valuation and repair advice, please review my other answered questions and you will find the answers.

Answer
I answered this a few days ago, but must not have posted it right.  Sorry for the delay.

You'll just have to use your best judgement on the rental situation.  Hopefully by now, they have contacted you and your vehicle has been looked at.
If they havn't contacted you by now, I'd go ahead and file with your own carrier and let them fight it out.

As far as the other situation of collecting that $1000 it sounds like it is time for you to file a small claims suit or file against their insurance.

I can't address the issue of how the prior damage will come in to play here without seeing the vehicle.

Good luck!