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Message |
    
brooklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Brooklyngirl
Post Number: 39
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 11:25 am: | 
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Can someone help me understand what the process is when you are in a fender
I got hit in my explorer on Saturday and called the police. They filled out the paperwork and said that they would send it to me. Should I call them and have it faxed to me? Should I call my insurance and ask them where and what I should do next? If I do tell them will they raise my rates? Will they know already about the accident because of the police? I also had an ambulance come and check me out because I was freaking out a bit since I am 3 months pregnant( I was ok except for a racing heart rate and high blood pressure I am fine now.) Do I have to pay for that too? I am just concerned that I am going to do it wrong. Help.
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Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2959
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 11:35 am: |
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Considering you are 3 months along, I would make an appointment with your Obstetrician as soon as possible for a thorough checkup, followed by an appt. with your regular doctor to have the rest of you checked out. This may weigh on wether you feel it is necessary to inform your insurance carrier.
Another thing to consider is that the other party may contact their insurance carrier, which means yours will find out anyway, was it your fault? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11374
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 12:44 pm: |
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If there was another car involved you should nofify your insurer to protect your interests should the other driver decide to sue. Since you are looking for a new ride this was probably more than the classic fender bender.
Good luck and glad you weren't hurt. |
brooklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Brooklyngirl
Post Number: 40
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 12:59 pm: |
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Funny. I am not the Brklyngirl that is looking for the new Mini Van. Funny I read her post and at first thought, did I write that? But no that is not me.
I was waiting for the person in front of me to make a left turn and I was stopped and then got wacked from behind. The fender is pushed up so there was no real damaged to the body of the car. I think that the steel just took the brunt of the force and not me or the rest of the car. The other driver said that his breaks didnt work, but I think he just didnt use them at all. I gave all of the information to the police that came to the scene and he gave his. Now what? I have an appointment to see the doctor tomorow just to be on the safe side. But what do I do with the rest of the insurance stuff. Do I go and get an estimate first or do I call my insurance carrier and see where I should go? If it is only a cheap fix can I avoid the insurance company?
thanks and sorry for the brooklyngirl brklyngirl confusion
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Wendy
Supporter
Username: Wendy
Post Number: 2409
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 1:07 pm: |
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I would report this to your insurance company as soon as possible if I were you. For starts, they will find out about it. More importantly, from what you describe, you were not at fault at all. 99 times out of a 100 when you are stopped and are hit from behind it's the other person's fault. By reporting it, your insurance company will collect the amount it takes you to fix your car from the other insurance company. Your rates should not increase at all.
Many years ago I was hit from the rear by another car. I didn't carry collision at the time and therefore went after the other person's insurance company myself and received the large amount owed to me - large because I had a VW beetle and most of the engine area (in the back on a beetle) had to be replaced. Because I assume you have collision, your company will get reimbursed from the other company and you won't have to pay any deductible either.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11375
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 1:13 pm: |
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My fault for getting the Brooklyns confused. 
I still would put your insurer on notice. If you obtained ID information from the other driver you may be able to pursue a claim directly with the car owner's insurance company and avoid having to pay your deductible. If you collect from your insurer down the road you should get the deductible back because your carrier will subrogate against the other carrier.
Since this wasn't your fault, and that is clear, you shouldn't have your rates go up or coverage cancelled, assuming you haven't had other claims in the last couple of years.
Repairs usually cost more than you would expect them to. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7479
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 1:26 pm: |
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Absolutely call your insurance company before you do anything with your car. They all have their own protocols for getting them fixed. Some have pre-authed body shops, others want estimates. And if there are medical bills, you have to let them know, especially since your health care provider may not cover the visit if it is based on an accident. I was rear-ended & had medical bills a few years ago. Your insurance company will take care of everything. But, failure to notify them could leave you paying for everything.
It shouldn't cost you a penny, unless you have the lawsuit threshold option, in which case you don't recoup your medical deductible. I found this out the hard way. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4871
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 1:28 pm: |
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You were hit from behind, right? Their fault -period. You do whatever you have to do to protect you and your baby's health. Your rates will NOT go up! Even if you do not have the other person's info yet call your insurance company to tell them what happened. If you need to rent a car and you don't have it on your ploicy, the other company should be made to cover that and ALL your expenses related to the accident. If I rememebr corretly your car insurance company covers first, then they go after the other drivers. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11378
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 1:29 pm: |
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Young's on Newark Way is a very good body shop and pre-approved by a number of carriers including State Farm and NJ Manufacturers. Good luck. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4875
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
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Another good place that is approved would be Modern Auto Body on Valley across from Pathmark. You can rent a car right next door at Enterprise. If you go to Modern ask for Adam. Tell him the grey / purple Honda sent you. He'll know who I am. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 154
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 1:53 pm: |
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HA!!! Just because it is not your fault does not mean your rates won't go up.
The insurance companies don't call things accidents any more...they are incidents.
Three incidents can cause cancellation. We had three....one was a tree fell on our car while parked in a driveway....two was a loaner car in a parking lot that was a hit and run...third a metal sewer grate sticking out on the Clinton Ave turnoff from Rt 24 slit our tires and the entire undercarriage of the car causing it to be totaled. Any time I can settle between 2 rational people I will attempt to do that. The way people drive today is an abomination. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7481
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 2:09 pm: |
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Sherri - you are technically correct. If it is not your fault and they can collect from the other party, your rates don't go up. You were unfortunate not to have anyone else at fault.
A few years back, I had a couple at-fault fender benders which I reported. When some *&$^%@ tried to break into my car and caused $1000 worth of damage, I did pay that rather than risk reporting it. It's really sad how we are all held hostage to the insurance carriers in NJ.
Also, don't assume that just because one insurer pre-auths an auto body shop that another one does. They all have their own contract, so check first. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 217
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 2:33 pm: |
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The police report usually costs -- amount varies depending on the municipality. Usually you have to go to the police station and request it. It is available a few days after the accident.
I hope you get purchase the report because sometimes the information on it varies from your interpretation of what happened.
Also, there is a number code on the side of most accident reports. Have an officer interpret the code for you. It also is important.
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John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 218
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 2:38 pm: |
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The police report usually costs -- amount varies depending on the municipality. Usually you have to go to the police station and request it. It is available a few days after the accident.
I hope you get purchase the report because sometimes the information on it varies from your interpretation of what happened.
Also, there is a number code on the side of most accident reports. Have an officer interpret the code for you. It also is important.
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Bklyngirl
Citizen
Username: Bklyngirl
Post Number: 22
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 - 2:46 pm: |
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Hi, brooklyngirl, it's bklyngirl.
Funny about our screen names.
Anyway, I echo what everyone else has basically advised you so far. 1) Make an appt with your OB-GYN; and 2) contact your insurance carrier about your accident.
Good luck.
bklyngirl |
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