Auto Insurance Claims: one accident, two claims?, brownie points, financial interest

Question
hi,
I hit the back of a bus and damaged the front of my car.  As I swerved to avoid the bus I pulled in front of a car in the lane next to me and he hit the back of my car.  The insurance company told me it would be two separate claims and I would have to pay the deductible for each accident (my front and rear); unless the other driver was at fault then his company would pay for the rear damage.  Anyway they decided that both were my fault and now tell me they decided to combine them into one accident and therefore total my car; neither repair alone would total the car.  They clearly have changed their tune.  I have the amounts I was told for the front and the rear minus the deductible for both- they gave me these figures which clearly indicate they were going to consider it two separate accidents- I even complained about this.  can they really now change their tune, they said it was because of the police report they received after telling me it would either be two accidents and I would pay or that the other guy would pay for the rear damage.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Tom,

The insurance company can do pretty much what they want. The decision to repair or total a vehicle is completely up to the insurance company. In either case they will pay out the total amount of the repairs for both accidents. So they look at the total cost of repairs versus the value of the vehicle and then they do what is in the best financial interest of the insurance company.

Also based on your description of events, this is one accident. The adjuster who thought it would be two is simply wrong. Maybe he though he would get some brownie points for making you pay 2 deductibles.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh