Question about car insurance

[tontod]

My girlfriend got into an accident a few days ago. She is fine, her car got sideswiped by someone when she was at an intersection. The other car was turning right, then changed their mind, moved over and hit my girlfriend's car. She got an appraisal, the repairs will take 40 hours to complete. So, in the meantime she will need a rental car and her agent is telling her she needs to contact the other person's insurance company and work with their adjusters. That doesnt sound right to me, shouldnt her agent be dealing with the other insurance company?

 

[waffleironhead]

It probably depends on the state and what insurance coverage she had on her car.

 

[BoomerD]

It probably depends on the state and what insurance coverage she had on her car.

Yep. Each state has its own set of laws governing insurance...

Just remember, the other person's insurance company will NOT be looking out for your girlfriend's best interests...(and not really even their client's) but rather, only for their OWN best interests...

Depending on the state, she should not have to accept their offer of any settlement...and SHOULD NOT have to choose from one of their "list of acceptable body shops," but again...different states, different laws.

 

[cabri]

If she had rental coverage, her company should take care of her.
Her company company is responsible for the vehicle repairs (if she has collision), not her transportation.

If no rental coverage, then she needs to take it up with the at-fault company.

 

[jlee]

In my experience, generally your insurance company should handle all interaction with the other insurance company. If they're telling her she has to deal with them herself, I'd be shopping for someone else.

 

[tontod]

She does not have rental coverage on her insurance. She is handling the claims process through her own insurance company. I would think her insurance company would talk to the other insurance company about having them pay for her rental. I dont see why the other insurance company would even want to talk with her.

 

[rh71]

when I got rear-ended, my insurer (Geico) was not involved other than me notifying them. They said it's good to let them know so they have it on record it was the other person's fault - in case they try to say otherwise. The other insurer contacted me and had me go to their appraiser (probably not the smartest thing for me) but it was minimal damage and the cash I got back I just kept without repairing the car. Point is, your own insurer does not necessarily have to get involved in my experience.

 

[waffleironhead]

The other insurance company wants to talk to her because they are on the hook for covering things like rentals for your girl.

 

[tontod]

So now the other insurance company is saying it was my girlfriend's fault and she strayed into the other person's lane. This other person has a signed statement to that affect. I asked my girlfriend to get the police report.

 

[deadlyapp]

This is why you involve your insurance agency.

 

[cabri]

So now the other insurance company is saying it was my girlfriend's fault and she strayed into the other person's lane. This other person has a signed statement to that affect. I asked my girlfriend to get the police report.

The PD report will determine how fault is assigned.

Location of debris will show where the accident occurred but not always what caused it. If in the GF lane, it will be open/shut, the other party crossed over.