QuestionHi Richard,
I was in a 3 car collision on 2.19.12, the adjuster for the party at fault has been a real "character". His insured ran a stop sign and hit my truck, at the speed he was coming driving a 98' Saturn, managed to lift my car at impact. After hitting my car he hit the car on my opposite direction. My trucks damage was appraised on 3.19.12. Since the accident the second victims car has been at the shop and is now repaired, while my car is still in my house waiting response. Since there is an estimate on my car I am worried that there might be additional fees that weren't visible to the appraiser. My radiator was torn along with other things under the hood. I have asked the adjuster not to pro-rate the insured policy before i have a final estimate from the repair shop since i have opted to take it to the body shop after several weeks of waiting. When i told him what i was doing, he said that things don't work that way in a very angry tone.
Can you please advise as to what my "options" as a consumer are? I highly dislike to be taken advantage of, and in this case all three of us had infinity insurance, so they are in "all" control of the delays. To this point he has not reached out to me to take my statement of what occurred in February, and when i spoke to him today -- his questions were.. were you the driver of the car that hit my insured, or where you the one "pushed" with my insured vehicle at the accident???? Is this guy for real? I am seeking high and low for help and i have already drafted a letter to the Department of Insurance - Insurance Commissioner. Can you help guide me on what to expect, and/or options?
AnswerHi Karla,
You can send the complaint to the insurance commissioner, however, do not expect much action. Most insurance commissioners offices are owned and controlled by the insurance companies who finance the election campaigns of the insurance commissioners.
You need to select a body shop that is not affiliated with your insurance company. Take your vehicle there and put it in for the repairs. If you have collision coverage on your policy, you should call your insurance company and file the claim under your own policy. You will be responsible for your deductible. Since the claim will be pro-rated your deductible is likely less than the amount you will lose when the claim is pro-rated.
Then let the insurance company work out the details of the repairs of your car and the proration of the cost on their own. Your vehicle will be repaired, you will be back on the road and your stress level will be reduced. Do not delay. Do it today.
I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh
