Monday, January 17, 2011

Minor Car Accident

So, our new car had it's first accident. It happened on the way home on Thursday night. We stopped at our local gas station to return a free movie we got from the Red Box. (I was pretty happy that we got a free rental, by the way! But not to get off track...) While driving out of the parking lot, a lady backed into our car. We were going really slow, so no one was hurt and the damage is minor. It's just a bummer that we have to go through all the paperwork now with insurance and stuff.

I've never had to file a claim before, so I was uncertain of the process. It turns out that I have a $1,000 deductible (Note to self... this is why an emergency savings account is a NECESSITY!)
. My insurance agency recommended just going through the other company if possible, that way they can pick up the whole expense and I won't have to have my company get involved. So that's where things stand now. I spent Friday on the phone filing the claim and giving an official statement and today we're getting an estimate of repairs on the car. Hopefully I'll hear back from the other insurance company today to see if they accept responsibility (which they should) and we'll go from there!

6 comments:

  1. Boo! Good luck! And don't let the other company shortchange you. I was once in an accident that was completely the other driver's fault, and his insurance company tried to give me pennies for my TOTALED vehicle! I was firm with them and negotiated. Eventually, we came to an agreement, but it was still a pain to deal with.

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  2. Sorry to hear that. I had this issue back in October. Someone hit my parked car, it was not one of the major companies, to this day I am still waiting for my check. I do hope your luck is better than mine!

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  3. Oh no. What a pain! I hope everything gets worked out. I know first hand how annoying it is to deal with insurance agencies after a car accident. Not fun but totally worth it if the other person's company accepts responsibility.

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  4. Sorry to hear you were in an accident, but on the plus side you are OK, and all for a free Movie.

    Dont let her Insurance company mess you around, stand your ground.

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  5. In Canada we have what is called no-fault insurance. What it basically boils down to is my insurance company looks after everything no matter whose fault it is. So if it's the other guy's fault my ins. co. will pursue the other ins. co. for payment. So I don't have to do anything except fill in the paperwork. Saves a lot of aggravation. Good luck with your claim - so much bureaucratic red tape and settling seems to take forever!

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  6. Sorry to hear about your accident. Unfortunately, car accidents are pretty much hard to avoid unless 100% of all drivers would drive responsibly.

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