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Smart Shopper Questions About Auto Insurance & Accidents
4422 messages, Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 6:46 PM
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I recently got in a small car accident. I don't know who is at fault yet, I have spoke with my adjuster but she did not want to listen to me at all it was very odd because I'm close to my insurance agent, he's my future father-in-law. She gave me a number to call the other party's adjuster and tell them what happen. I really just like a professional opinion before I call the other adjuster. Here's the how the accident happen - We were driving on a 5 lane freeway. At the upcoming exit the Number 5 lane got off at the exit with the choose for the number 4 lane to get off or to stay on the freeway. We were in the number 4 lane at very slow speed, mostly stop and go. With the number 5 lane going about 20 mph. The car in front of me had been trying to get into the #5 lane for about 1/2 mile. Finally as we were almost at the exit there was room for her to change lane's. She moves 80% into the #5 lane, traffic goes from probably 15mph to dead stop in the #4 lane. At the last minute she decides not to change lanes, and comes back over to the #4. My right front light is scratched and my hood is messed up, with damage to my right front fender from the pressure. Here left back bumper is scratched. ( Just for irony - about 2 miles before this exit I had to bring #4 lane to a complete stop to let her in because I felt bad that she couldn't get over) Thanks for any advice you can give, Sarah S. |
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It depends on what state you live in but the fact that the other lady moved 80% into the other lane means that she had more possession of the other lane then the lane she was oringinally in which is your #4 lane. When she decided at the last minute to move back into your lane you would have had the right of way as you had full possession of your lane. The other lady would have the duty to watch for other traffic before changing lanes again. In this situation if the other driver did not signal her intention to move back into the other lane which was the 4 lane, then depending on your speed and whether or not this lady had sufficient room to take possession of your lane again I would more then likely have to rule in your favor and find the other lady at fault. First of all the fact that your right headlight and hood are damaged and the left rear of her car is damaged shows that she didn't fully get back into your lane. If the damage was middle of her rear to the middle of your front basically dead on then without a witness and if she didn't get cited then you would be at fault as it would be very hard to prove otherwise. In this situation I would call your adjuster not your agent as agents know nothing about fault they just sell insurance. You need to speak with the person handling your claim. The point of impact is in your favor definitely. If the other lady was cited for in unsafe lane change that is also a point for you. Make sure that you tell your adjuster and any other insurance company that calls you exactly what you told me and also make sure they know that you slammed on your brakes to avoid the accident even if you didn't. If I was your insurance adjuster I would deny liability and if the other insurance carrier would not agree then I would arbitrate it. Any other questions just ask.
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I work for Progressive and handle property damage and bodily injury. At Progressive we are heavily trained to handle all injuries with the exception of atty repped which go to an extended handler. I write estimates and handle coverage and liability.
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I did lock my brakes up. I really think writing the accident down helped me. It happened so fast. I live in California. Thanks for your advice, I know I can call the adjuster now. I'll come back and let you know how it ended up. |
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I feel sorry for you, I hear Progressive is tough to work for, I've heard horror stories from other collegues. I work for Prudential, and when I go into collision shops they think I say Progressive at first (partly because they sound similar) but mostly because they all seem to hate having to deal with Progressive appraisers. It can't be coincidence either has it happens to often. I always hear that your sups don't allow for many of the commonly accepted repair procedures and try to pass of payment on paint and materials as tools and not pay the hourly charge on them, etc. I can understand not wanting to over pay on something, but when a company takes absolute measures to pay as little as possible eventually their own customers will realize and try to locate other insurance. I have close co-workers who work in an agency (and I help them alot parttime) rating new business and Progressive is one of the companies we have to use. They are the most expensive, and usually only the poorer risks only qualify for that insurance. NOT STATING YOU ARE A BAD PERSON, NO WAY, just that I have heard so many poor things about having to work for Progressive, do you have any other experience with other companies, and if so how do you rate?
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Progressive doesn't pay to little on supps or initial estimates what we do is require a person to go out to the shop to justify the supp damage. If a shop calls and wants a 1000 supp I would go out and be able to eliminate about half of it and the car would still get fixed correctly. Basically we don't take a shops word for anything. We don't like to be screwed and we investigate everything fully. Why is it that all other insurance companies constantly seek Progressive reps to work for them. Is it because we are the best trained reps in the industry as we handle everything ourselves and do not have specialized adjusters for everything. Also I have dealt with most other insurance companies and have found that most have experienced adjusters but the companies suck and the policys suck. For example I recently redlined a subrogation demand from state farm and they had the insured vehicle fixed at one of there preferred shops who wrote them in estimate for 5000 and we redlined based on estimate and pics. Our estimate was 1000 as the state farm direct shop replaced the decklid, and rear bumper assembly along withe the 1/4 panel that wasn't damaged. The shop also blended both sides of the car and none of the panels on the d/s were adjacent to the damage so didn't need it. Anybody with a frame machine or a chain tied between two trees can be a State Farm direct repair shop. State Farm paid for a bunch of crap that didn't need to be done. I wonder why insurance rates are so high. You tell me? Also how many lawsuits has Progressive had for bad faith. I only remember one. State farm and Allstate as well as Farmers let lost lawsuits drive there policy changes. Shops hate Progressive because they want to write a supp and get paid without any investigation. I have many more examples of the other big players like Allstate denying claims for stupid reasons and liability based on ludicrous things. I have no idea how Prudential is as have never dealt with them but will have to see. Thank you for the question. Progressive is not hard to work for actually they are the best insurance company to work for. How bout this we average about a 9% raise every year and also get raises for certifying. We are compensated a lot better then any other company where the only way you get a promotion there is when someone dies or retires. See ya |
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| How is the value of a totaled car estimated? Progressive had estimated the value of my totaled car $2400 below the Kelley Blue Book retail value and about $1500 below the average price of similar cars on AutoTrader.com. Is it typical? Can I do anything about it? | |
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Hi phil65. I am obviously not an insurance adjuster, but I can steer you towards an article that may help to answer your question. The following article discusses how and why insurance companies total vehicles that have been involved in severe accidents: How Auto Insurance Companies Total Your Vehicle After You Total Your Vehicle. If you have any additional questions on this particular subject after reading this piece, please feel free to ask. Also, perhaps the individuals who are involved in the insurance industry and have been nice enough to post in this discussion can shed a little more light on this subject for you. Car_man Host Smart Shoppers / FWI Message Boards |
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Phil: Progressive at least in Arizona per the department of insurance we are not allowed to use the kelley blue book value as that is not in accurate value only a typical general value. The Value has to be a market based value. We will take into consideration the options and mileage as well as the conditions of the vehicle and then call CCC which is in independent company that will take your zip code and find out what similar cars with like miles and condition as well as options are selling for in your area and then take the average of these and come up with your ACV(actual cash value). We then add tax and title to the value and take out your deductible to get your value. Make sure you find out what we are offering you before taking out your deductible this will give you a better idea. Autotrader will tell you what a car is being offered at but we know the offering price and the take price are very different. We take averages of take prices and not offer prices. Some things you can do if not happy with your value is: 1. contact your adjuster and ask him/her to fax you a copy of the ccc: report and verify the mileage and options are accurate as this will make a big difference in the value especially the mileage. A lot of times we don't know the mileage and run it as average which is considered between 12k and 15k a year which most people don't drive. 2. Find comparables like yours online or in the newspaper and fax them to your adjuster and he/she has the ability if they are truly comparable to up the offer on your vehicle. 3. With Progressive the one thing you can do per the policy as well is you can evoke the appraisal clause which allows you to get someone to appraise your car and if progressive agrees with them they will pay that. If they do not agree then Progressive and yourself will have to share the cost of an independent appraiser and there value will stand. Also I wouldn't take to heart much of that website that is supposed to tell you about insurance company policies on totalling cars. This is general info and doesn't apply to most companies as they are all different. Hope this helps.
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I could go on and on about my accident and problems with Idiotco(Geico) but since this forum is accident only I will stick to that topic. Question: I hit a snow bank with my 2001 Silverado extended cab 4x4. Causing 3+ grand damage to the truck. Why is it that Geico never investigated the claim??? I hit black ice and did avoid getting into a bigger accident by missing a few cars and trucks(It happened on the onramp to a highway). Geico claims that it was my fault and not due to weather. I was going about 25 MPH and the point of impact and loss of control point can clearly be seen to anyone that you cannot be going more them 25-30 MPH. I undersatnd that I was driving, but shouldn't they at least investigate the accident?? They claim that the accident could have been controlled. Furthermore, I will advise anyone to stay away from Geico as they have the rudest adjusters around. Just a few questions. I can tell you the whole story if you e-mail me. Tburner  hotmail.com Thanks. |
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