Auto Insurance Claims: question, blue book value, own insurance

Question
My parents were involved in an auto vs. motorhome pulling a car accident yesterday.  The lady that hit them received the ticket because she lost control and crossed into to my parents, instead of hitting her head on my dad chose to get broadside on my mom's side of the motorhome.  When that happened the other car kept spinning and spun into my mom's car which was being towed by the motorhome.  The DPS ( highway patrol) came and issued a ticket to the other car.  And told my parents that if they had been hit head on or in their car, they would have been dead.  Last night the other car's insurance agent called my parents and told them that the woman did not have enough insurance to pay for both the motorhome damage ( approximately $30,000) and the car which is totaled ( 2001 Avalon Kelly's blue book value 10,900).  So is this legal and what is my parents recourse?  They have already contacted their agent and he has taken pictures of both of my parents vehicles and sent an adjuster out to establish damage and to total out my mom's car.

Answer
Hi Ann,

Unfortunately this is a common situation. The insurance company will not pay out more than the coverage that was purchased.

Your parents will have to make the claim against their own insurance policy and then thier insurance company will go after the other insurance company to get reimbursed as much as possible. They will have to just take the balance as a loss.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh