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The_Jazz · 10-26-2006, 10:09 AM

OK, as the resident insurance professional, here's my free advice:

If you notify your insurance company, they will most likely point out that your policy has a provision calling for you to notify them promptly of any claims. Waiting 4 months is probably going to invalidate your coverage. If they will pay for it, by some miracle, you will almost certainly be looking at an increase when your coverage renews.

My best advice is to keep dealing with the adjuster, but ratchet up your saber-rattling. Tell him that you're going to go get 3 estimates to completely repair your car to leave it in the condition it was in before the accident. You're going to take the middle one, have the work done and give the shop his name and number for the billing. If that's a problem, he needs to let you know immediately so that you can start consulting with your attorney. Remind him that he's obligated by the state to return your car to the condition it was in prior to the accident. Tell him that you're only asking for repair costs and no monetary damages, but that will change as soon as you have to get an attorney involved. If you don't get a response, call and ask for the guy's supervisor. Next, call the state insurance department and tell them your story and see if you have enough to get a file opened yet. Almost all states will go to bat for consumers/voters against insurance companies. If none of this works, then call in a lawyer.

I have nothing against attorneys (several of my friends practice law), but in this situation that would be like hunting mosquitos with an elephant gun. If you do need to go down that route, hopefully you have a friend or relative that's a lawyer that will make some calls for you and not need to keep 1/3 of any returns they get.

Let me know how it goes. You're getting needlessly jerked around here, and there's no need for it.

10-26-2006, 10:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	OK, as the resident insurance professional, here's my free advice: If you notify your insurance company, they will most likely point out that your policy has a provision calling for you to notify them promptly of any claims. Waiting 4 months is probably going to invalidate your coverage. If they will pay for it, by some miracle, you will almost certainly be looking at an increase when your coverage renews. My best advice is to keep dealing with the adjuster, but ratchet up your saber-rattling. Tell him that you're going to go get 3 estimates to completely repair your car to leave it in the condition it was in before the accident. You're going to take the middle one, have the work done and give the shop his name and number for the billing. If that's a problem, he needs to let you know immediately so that you can start consulting with your attorney. Remind him that he's obligated by the state to return your car to the condition it was in prior to the accident. Tell him that you're only asking for repair costs and no monetary damages, but that will change as soon as you have to get an attorney involved. If you don't get a response, call and ask for the guy's supervisor. Next, call the state insurance department and tell them your story and see if you have enough to get a file opened yet. Almost all states will go to bat for consumers/voters against insurance companies. If none of this works, then call in a lawyer. I have nothing against attorneys (several of my friends practice law), but in this situation that would be like hunting mosquitos with an elephant gun. If you do need to go down that route, hopefully you have a friend or relative that's a lawyer that will make some calls for you and not need to keep 1/3 of any returns they get. Let me know how it goes. You're getting needlessly jerked around here, and there's no need for it. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo