Question
Damage
I was in an hit and run accident 4 months ago with other person at fault. My car has only added roughly 3k miles since then with no new damage to the car. During the accident I was hit directly on the right side head on. Hitting the wheel and everything around it with airbags deploying due to impact. 4 Months later (now) I have issues with the suspension behind that wheel that was never looked into during initial repairs because they claimed it passed alignment. The car has been sitting at the dealership as they looked into the damage and concluded it has to be related to the accident due to the damaged parts and what caused it. They are behind me 100% yet the Insurance company (other persons) Geico is taking a very long time to get this all processed and done. Took over 6 days to send someone to the location to get the car checked and they did today which is monday 1/9/2012. The Adjuster did not even call after inspection. I had the dealership call me and told me all the strong valid points they made to the adjuster. The adjuster tried to throw out the claim based on pothole damage but dealership said that would be impossible due to no damage to the wheel/tire ever since it was replaced after the accident. And no damage to any other parts of the suspension on that wheel. The Adjuster had no other way to really deny the damages but now we have to wait for the Supervisor to make the call..
What do I do now? I have had no car for 2 weeks and Geico is taking their own long sweet time to get the repairs started and get me in a rental. They are trying their best to not even pay for the damages. How can I pressure them to speed things up, Do i have a valid case against them if I decide to do a Small claim and could I get them to pay for everything if taken to court?
I can provide pictures of the accident as well and I still have the police report for backup.
Answer Hello Kishan, sorry for the delay...
One point first, was this a GEICO preferred shop? In other words, were you referred there by GEICO? If so, you should have the protection of guaranteed repairs, meaning that GEICO is responsible that there preferred shops guarantee their repair work at no expense to you.
Preferred shop or not, GEICO remains responsible for the repairs of all of your damages relating to the accident in question. If the shop made a mistake or provided less than acceptable repairs, that is a matter between GEICO and the shop. However, you should not be suffering delays because one or both of them screwed up.
As for you being without a car, you are entitled to a rental for your inconvenience. While this would not necessarily fall under your benefits, a rental should be extended. In reality, GEICO should pressure the shop to pay for your rental.
The bottom line - you suffered and continue to suffer the consequences of incompetence. And, do not assume that the shop is the "innocent" party here. After, all they are the one's that missed all the damages. You need to be in contact with your adjuster and ask what GEICO can do to resolve your problems. If you get a vague or unsatisfactory answer, politely request that GEICO arrange a rental at the shop's expense. GEICO also needs to resolve your claim without further delay.
You will need to be firm and polite, yet extremely proactive. If your needs are not provided by the adjuster, speak to the claims manager. Usually only those that "make noise" get their claims to the top of the pile.
You should not have to go to small claims court to demand your own insurance company to extend the benefits you have paid for.
Also, go on my website and read my articles on delayed claims, what is acceptable, what is not. That should give you additional insight. That site is http://SolutionsForYourInsuranceClaim.com
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Jane Pytel
http://SolutionsForYourInsuranceClaim.com
http://FloridaAutoInsuranceCentral.com
