Accident Repair

[Fastlanev6]

So on Friday I got rear-ended by this dumb chick, and she put a small crack in my bumper (in the recessed area where the license plate goes). I got it estimated at around $700 to replace the bumper. My question is, if her insurance is going to pay for it, am I required to repair the damage she did, or can I put that money into repairing a different dent (which would cost less) and keep the change? I dont know if the insurance company would want a follow-up or not?

[RazorDX]

If her insurance pays for it, you are not required.

If your insurance pays for it, you may be required.

At least that's what I read in a thread on here yesterday, but I don't recall which one.

[Fastlanev6]

So do I just fax them the estimates and they cut me a check?

[RazorDX]

That's typically how it goes. Sometimes they will require that you have your vehicle looked at by one of their claims adjusters before they issue a check.

[Matt95GT]

Take the car to a body shop (your own choosing - not some shop suggested by the insurance company that's 'in bed' with them) and get an estimate. Most shops can submit their estimate directly to their insurance company, which will then send you the check.

Yes, you can keep the money as you please.

[Nighthawk243]

Once they issue that check, do whatever you really feel like doing with it.

[sudden_impulse]

Post a pic showing the damage, if it's just small it'll barely take anything to fix.

[Fastlanev6]

Yes but if I can get the girl to pay for it...then great. If not, i'll leave it.

[00SilverGA]

Well her insurance should pay for it. When I got hit I had a crack where you are saying yours is. I had to bring my car to a GEICO adjuster and he said the damage was $600ish. So he wrote me a check for $600. I ended up fixing something other than the bumper.

So like someone already said, do want you want with it.

[b2089]

Do you have a lien on the car? If so then the check will either be made out to the lien holder independently or to both of you. The only way to cash that type of check is through a body shop.

[Fastlanev6]

No lien...unless you're referring to a bank that loaned me the money, in which case yes. They currently hold the title for another year.

[b2089]

That is bad news for you then. The bank will get the check not you and the bank will INSIST that the work be done. The only person that will get any of that money is the body shop guy. Depending on how your insurance works you may not even have to get estimates. They may say pay whatever deductible may apply and drop it off, we'll handle the rest.

[Fastlanev6]

Well I told them that if I dont get money for it then I wont repair it...its not worth it.

[00SilverGA]

Originally posted by b2089
That is bad news for you then. The bank will get the check not you and the bank will INSIST that the work be done. The only person that will get any of that money is the body shop guy. Depending on how your insurance works you may not even have to get estimates. They may say pay whatever deductible may apply and drop it off, we'll handle the rest.

I dont think that is the same for every bank or loan place. I have a loan on my car through my bank. When I got hit I talked to the GEICO because that is what the other person had. They told me I had to go see their claim adjuster. Just for a reference I went to my body guy and a dealer body shop. They both quoted me about a 100 more than GEICO said they would pay. After that GEICO cut me a check in MY name and I was on my way.

1. my insurance company never got involved because the lady new it was her fault so there was no need to call my insurance co.

2. I don't see any reason for anyone to call the bank about an accident. I know they are carrying the loan but I have never heard of any bank insisting you have the work done. That just doesn't seem like a normal thing.

[b2089]

Geico didn't do what they were supposed to then. You don't own the car, the ban kdoes. They want to keep the car good because 1- it's theirs (they have the title) and 2- if they have to repo it they want it fixed. Also they want to have the money spent on the car because again the money is theirs (their car was damaged).

Either you got lucky or Geico didn't bother to check your title.

[00SilverGA]

Originally posted by b2089
Geico didn't do what they were supposed to then. You don't own the car, the ban kdoes. They want to keep the car good because 1- it's theirs (they have the title) and 2- if they have to repo it they want it fixed. Also they want to have the money spent on the car because again the money is theirs (their car was damaged).

Either you got lucky or Geico didn't bother to check your title.

Well obviously they want the car in good shape. That is understandable, they just want to protect their investment. I have just never heard of that because everyone I have known has had a check written to them.

Also Geico did know I have a lien on the car. That was one of the million questions they asked me after it happened.

This info is also based on the fact that the other persons insurance is taking care of it. For all I know you may be right. If his insurance is paying for it then what you said may be correct. If it is his insurance paying for it then they might write the check to the bank or they might just say pay the deductible and we will pay the rest. If it is her insurance paying for it then he won't have to pay any deductible at all and the check could be written out to him.

[Fastlanev6]

My insurance company (state farm) told me I can pay my $250 deductible and they'd pay the rest. Then once they settled with the other insurance company, they would reimburse me. I told them the damage wasnt bad so it's still driveable, and that I wanted to wait until we get it resolved with the other party. If for some reason they wont pay, I would just leave it alone. They said that would be fine.

[00SilverGA]

Originally posted by Fastlanev6
My insurance company (state farm) told me I can pay my $250 deductible and they'd pay the rest. Then once they settled with the other insurance company, they would reimburse me. I told them the damage wasnt bad so it's still driveable, and that I wanted to wait until we get it resolved with the other party. If for some reason they wont pay, I would just leave it alone. They said that would be fine.

I have state farm too and that makes sense to me. Like I said in my other post I have only dealt with other insurance companies because it was the other persons fault so mine insurance co. never got involved.

Also it is no surprise they don't care if you don't have your car fixed now. Insurance companies will do the best they can to keep from paying out on anything! :lol: Make sure to keep us posted on what is happening.