Seeking insurance advice - (fortunately) not Xterra related

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
Hey guys, I am looking for some advice. I have very little experience in filing insurance claims, which I'm thankful for. I've just done a few glass claims really, that's it really.

Last night driving home from work I was stopped in traffic and got hit from behind by another driver... it was not a direct hit, but more of an offset impact / scrape. I imagine he noticed too late that he was going to rear end me and tried to steer around, but I didn't see him coming so I'm not sure what his issue was. My car's function is not really affected, just aesthetics as far as I can tell. Our little Subaru is 18 years old but only has 80K miles, and besides some clear coat issues on the roof and hood the paint and body were in pretty good shape for the age. It doesn't make a lot of sense to spend money on a nearly 20 year old commuter / trailhead car to make it look pretty. I am very glad that it wasn't one of the Xterras involved... I would have been exponentially more angry about it.

The guy that hit me was driving his sister's car, and it is insured. At first he didn't want to give me the insurance info (there was a language barrier and I think he was a bit scared) but eventually I got that. He called his sister and she must have told him it was OK. I briefly spoke to the sister, who does speak more English, and asked her to tell him he'd need to get his license and registration out for the police, who were on their way to make a report.

My collision deductible is $1000. He was at fault, at least from my perspective, although I don't know that he was cited. I have read that in a no fault state (which Utah is one) with Progressive especially that even if you're not at fault, your insurance rates can go up a lot if making a claim.


I'm unsure on exactly the best way to handle this. The officer we spoke with did tell me that I could get some estimates from a body shop and just deal with the other driver (or car owner) to see if they'll pay me something directly. So far I have tried to get a little info from Progressive without filing a claim, but I've gotten some conflicting information and am looking for other opinions.

Any suggestions from those who have BTDT wtih insurance claims?
 

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Muadeeb

Nissan al Gaib
Admin
Location
Dallas
You have their info, file a claim against their insurance under the belief that they are at fault. Worst they can do is deny. I wouldn't even call my insurance until I get a deny from theirs, and then only for the glass replacement if you're fine with the dents.
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
You have their info, file a claim against their insurance under the belief that they are at fault. Worst they can do is deny. I wouldn't even call my insurance until I get a deny from theirs, and then only for the glass replacement if you're fine with the dents.

Thanks for the reply. That was one of the options I was leaning towards. No glass was lost fortunately. Just the bumper and body damage next to it.

In the meantime I got a voice mail from their insurance company regarding a claim. Guess I will call them and see what they have to say.
 

kirk

Butterfly King
Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Allen, Texas
Absolutely what he said. Dont tell yours. Did they take your insurance? Also, if they did or your insurance tries to raise your rate at all, challenge it. you had a officer come, hopefully that report shows you not at fault, and you use that going forward.

Insurance companies can be pushy and bullies. Dont be afraid to push back.

I like those imprezas. Great color too!
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
Absolutely what he said. Dont tell yours. Did they take your insurance? Also, if they did or your insurance tries to raise your rate at all, challenge it. you had a officer come, hopefully that report shows you not at fault, and you use that going forward.

Insurance companies can be pushy and bullies. Dont be afraid to push back.

I like those imprezas. Great color too!

Thanks for the good advice.

I did call my insurance company for some general advice, but didn't file a claim or give them my policy number. Though with caller ID they probably have a record that I called. Yes, I exchanged insurance info with the other driver when we met with the officer.

Yeah it's been a great car, probably the most reliable car we've owned, and the only vehicle we've ever purchased new. My wife called the color "shiny scarab green" and fell in love with it when she saw it in a brochure. It was primarly her car for many years and at some point she let me start using it as the commuter.

To update, the other driver's insurance company has a claim set up for me and I need to set up a damage review with a collision place. The one they picked is probably fine but that company has a location that's more convenient to my house, so I'm trying to see if I can get the estimate and work done (if I choose to get work done) there.

Will update with any new developments.
 
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outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
Update time. I've been busy at work so I haven't had time to review their estimate, but the bottom line up front is that I had a damage review last night and they (the other driver's insurance company) called me today. They are offering around $1200. I have until 8/1 and then they'll just automatically send the check for that amount.

Need to decide what to do next. I'm not bothered driving a slightly busted looking car. But $1200 is not a life changing amount of money so I might just get it fixed up.
 

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Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Update time. I've been busy at work so I haven't had time to review their estimate, but the bottom line up front is that I had a damage review last night and they (the other driver's insurance company) called me today. They are offering around $1200. I have until 8/1 and then they'll just automatically send the check for that amount.

Need to decide what to do next. I'm not bothered driving a slightly busted looking car. But $1200 is not a life changing amount of money so I might just get it fixed up.
Have it assessed by a shop of your choice and see what their estimate is. If it's more, go back to them and say, "Hey, this is my shop. This is what it's going to cost to get it fixed. Pay this." If it's less, then take the $1200.
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
Would have liked to get a second opinion on the damage estimate, but some family things came up that were higher priority, so I ran out of time to try to get it in somewhere else. Opted to just have them do a direct deposit last night, and already have the funds as of this morning. Maybe I could have gotten more money out of them but I'm satisfied that at least I got some compensation and I'm not out the use of my car.

I'll try to make it look a little better on my own, and put some of that money towards some non cosmetic vehicle maintenance purposes.

Thanks again guys for the helpful advice.
 

kirk

Butterfly King
Moderator
Supporting Member
Location
Allen, Texas
A whole bunch of that paint transfer is going to come off with a buffer and some compound. Then you can see how skurffed up the green is and see if you can live with it. That rear wheel/suspension wasnt affected?
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
A whole bunch of that paint transfer is going to come off with a buffer and some compound. Then you can see how skurffed up the green is and see if you can live with it. That rear wheel/suspension wasnt affected?

I've actually been thinking about getting a buffer, so this is a good opportunity to practice with it.

I don't think it even touched the rim or tire, and I haven't noticed any effect to the suspension either. The only thing I occasionally notice is a subtle new rattle at slow speeds (<10MPH) from the bumper cover on the opposing side. But, it's an 18 year old Subaru... so yeah, it's not the only rattle. I might pull the bumper cover off this weekend and poke around to see how things look under there.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I’m on the other end of this. My wife just barely rubbed (not even scraped) a car in a grocery store parking lot, and of course it had to be a Mercedes SUV. They exchanged info and the lady that was hit said she’d get estimates and let us know the amount and let us pay it directly.

Instead, we got an email the next day from our insurance that a claim had been filed. I spoke with the adjuster and after they saw the picture of the Mercedes they agreed it will probably be less than our $500 deductible, but we’ll still get dinged for having a claim.

I guess I can’t be mad at them for filing the claim, but if they’d let us we probably would’ve paid them the amount to get it fixed plus a little extra. Oh well.
 

outback97

Wheeling
Supporting Member
Location
SLC, Utah
I’m on the other end of this. My wife just barely rubbed (not even scraped) a car in a grocery store parking lot, and of course it had to be a Mercedes SUV. They exchanged info and the lady that was hit said she’d get estimates and let us know the amount and let us pay it directly.

Instead, we got an email the next day from our insurance that a claim had been filed. I spoke with the adjuster and after they saw the picture of the Mercedes they agreed it will probably be less than our $500 deductible, but we’ll still get dinged for having a claim.

I guess I can’t be mad at them for filing the claim, but if they’d let us we probably would’ve paid them the amount to get it fixed plus a little extra. Oh well.

Sorry to hear, that is frustrating they didn't even give you the chance to work it out without insurance involved.

I would have considered doing something like that too, but between the potential language barriers and them quickly filing a claim with their insurance for me, it wasn't really in the cards. I feel bad that the sister of the guy who hit me will be paying for her brother's poor driving.
 
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