Car accident and problems with the adjuster

[LiViD-04SE1]

I need some real good advice right about now, as I think I am in the need of a better insurance company.

Over the course the weekend (8th and 9th), I was heading home and some guy decides to pull out into my lane and take out my passenger-side fender and passenger-side drive-train on my 2004 SE1. To top it all off, the driver decides to pull a "hit-and-run".

A few witnesses and the EPS managed to get all of the other drivers' information, which is good. At least I know that the sucker can be charged with negligence if his insurance company won't come through with the repairs to my vehicle if applicable.

The problems that I am facing now are the following:

1. The insurance company being Economical, whom has dumped the claim on a third party called SCM Adjusters.

2. Lack of communication between SCM Adjusters and the repair adjuster of Service Collision (Boyd Group).

3. Being told by Service Collision that my car was towed to their location the 11th, when I have the towing bill in my hand that states the 9th. I was also told that the car was in their service bay... the car is still sitting outside in the same place since the 9th. They have pushed other cars through their bay in the past few days where I have to suffer for something I didn't cause.

I'm definitely not impressed that my insurance company has dumped my claim on a lower-qualified company that doesn't take my claim seriously, and that I have also been lied to by the adjuster. In the end, should I switch insurance companies or find some way to get another adjuster out to Service Collision and have my vehicle looked at?

[Matt95GT]

Worry about switching insurance carriers later.

I'd probably have the car taken elsewhere. Remember, you have the right to have the car repaired at the shop of your choice. You might have to pay for that tow from your pocket, however it may save a lot of hassle in the end, especially if that insurance adjuster is "in bed" with that shop. (will use cheap non-OEM replacement parts, etc) You need a shop that is responsive and "on your side" instead of the insurance adjusters. If things get really ugly, then it's time to lawyer-up.

[LiViD-04SE1]

Thanks for the response. That is the same response I have received from others that I have talked to, but it looks like the insurance company wants all the work done their way. So far everyone including the police, insurance, and adjusters have done their jobs. I am just waiting on the appraiser to do their job and assess the damage.

[Pontiac]

My insurance company is economical... Now I'm worried.

[LiViD-04SE1]

I was a bit impatient with Economical when I made that first post. Turns out that Edmonton was hit with quite a few accidents over the weekend of the 8th and 9th, that it probably exceeded the double digits. Service Collision, the appraiser, said that they had 14 tow ins on the weekend.

Sometimes I wish I didn't live in Alberta... sheesh. :P

[Pontiac]

So basically what you're saying is that economical was over loaded with claims, so they out sourced to keep up? Ok, *THAT* I can say alright to, and that takes the worry level down.

But to be honest, I never ever want to deal with my insurance company.

[LiViD-04SE1]

Yeah, they outsourced my claim to keep up. SCM said "We are like Economical, and we won't treat your claim any differently". I was not impressed about that, but there was nothing that I could do. I'm just glad that everything minus the appraisal got done.

The only thing that annoys me about this so much, is the intervention by third-parties.

[Pontiac]

Without your notice at that.

[jackpot]

economical eh, YES, they are total fu*kers, I had them while I was in ontario, charge out yer arse, I was paying, with no bad driving on my record, 400/m for basic coverage.

move back to BC were ICBC does it all, 160/m with full coverage, big difference.

I would suggest not going with economical anymore, though I had one not at fault claim and they did pay for my car as it was a write off, still, dont like them, and had planned to switch to someone like TD after it was done.

my broker suggested another company however it was a sister company of economical, they have lots of "friends" in the insurance circles

peace
JP

[LiViD-04SE1]

In the past few days, some progress has been made:

1. The offenders' insurance company is taking up the bill - YAY!
2. The auto body shop finally has the car in the garage and they have ordered the parts, so far it totals to $6200 CDN with labour included.
3. I have decided that after the car is repaired, it is going to get flogged. The auto body shop can put all the confidence into their work all they want, but I will not drive a vehicle that has its' safety compromised due to used parts.

I have already made a purchase on an '04 Grand Prix GT, and the Grand Prix was the car that I truly wanted. There were some slight annoyances about the G.A. that bothered me that couldn't be fixed via warranty means. The insurance was also way cheaper through T.D. - $120 per month with everything compared to $208 with the G.A. through Economical.

In all, I got screwed with the G.A. Hopefully I can get 65-70% of my loan back in a sell-off.

[Pte Socks]

heres a question somewhat related to this.. I recently had a hit and run as well and the shop that did the work did not use OEM parts, in particular, the headlight. Should I be arguing to receive the OEM part instead of aftermarket? Oh and by the way, dont deal with Tri-Star collision. They were the shop that ING recommends and the service was far less than satisfactory

[LiViD-04SE1]

According to most insurance companies, the shops will use what-ever is cheaper to get the job done. This is the case for my G.A. You will find that most of the vital mechanical components will be new aka ball joints, etc.

However.... I am completely pissed off tonight. I went by the shop to check on my car and it looks like the idiots allowed my amplifier and winter tires to be stolen. So now, I get to hold Service Collision liable for theft of my property while the car is in their due care. Want to know how my amplifier was removed? The drivers side window was down and the security system was deactivated. Obviously they didn't care to ask me how to deactivate the passive alarm and dealt with it in their own stupid manner.

I also believe that the theft is related to the service shop as they know what to look for. I managed to get ahold of the manager tonight and gave him a good earful. They better d**n well compensate me for this crap. :mad:

Update: Someone went back to the car and took my winter tires as well.... f***!