auto insurance claim - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

clues_blues · 04-23-2003, 10:08 AM

i had someone bump into my car a few weeks ago in my apt. parking lot. left enough damage that i will have to get it fixed.

here is the thing... i didn't call my insurance company when it happened. should i call them and be honest about the date, or should i say it just happened yesterday? my ins. co. will not send an adjuster to me, i can take it to an approved body shop so i am not worried about getting busted by the adjuster or anything... it is a legitimate claim, just untimely.

oh yeah - it was a "hit and run" type thing, so there are no other parties involved other than me.

thanks for your input
c_b

htwhite · 04-23-2003, 11:53 AM

as long as there is no rust on the bare spot go ahead and lie, after all, it is legit.

clues_blues · 04-23-2003, 12:41 PM

definitely no rust... is there a good reason NOT to say it happened a few weeks back?

c_b

davidc209 · 04-23-2003, 01:40 PM

Yes, there is a good reason to not say it happened a few weeks ago. Statute of limitations. Find out what that time period is with your insurance carrier. Replace "happened a few weeks back" with "happened 3 years back"... the insurance company would laugh you out the door. A few weeks is probably not pushing it, but find out what your statute of limitations for claims is with your carrier.

Binder · 04-24-2003, 06:29 AM

if you are going to call them, make sure the cost of the repair will be more than your deductable. if it isn't then it is just a waste of time, and a small blemish on your insurance record.

riskybiz · 04-25-2003, 02:57 PM

Binder makes an excellent point.

Also, make sure your policy is paid up and that it was in force at the time of the incident. If it was just a couple/three weeks ago you should have no problem with not reporting the loss until now. If the adjuster starts to give you a hard time mention that you have no qualms about filing a complaint with your state insurance department and you will find him/her much more cooperative.

Good luck.

04-23-2003, 10:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
clues_blues Tilted Location: 3 feet high and rising	auto insurance claim i had someone bump into my car a few weeks ago in my apt. parking lot. left enough damage that i will have to get it fixed. here is the thing... i didn't call my insurance company when it happened. should i call them and be honest about the date, or should i say it just happened yesterday? my ins. co. will not send an adjuster to me, i can take it to an approved body shop so i am not worried about getting busted by the adjuster or anything... it is a legitimate claim, just untimely. oh yeah - it was a "hit and run" type thing, so there are no other parties involved other than me. thanks for your input c_b __________________ nothing to see here

04-23-2003, 12:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
clues_blues Tilted Location: 3 feet high and rising	definitely no rust... is there a good reason NOT to say it happened a few weeks back? c_b __________________ nothing to see here

04-25-2003, 02:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
riskybiz Psycho Location: The Granite State "Live Free or Die"	Binder makes an excellent point. Also, make sure your policy is paid up and that it was in force at the time of the incident. If it was just a couple/three weeks ago you should have no problem with not reporting the loss until now. If the adjuster starts to give you a hard time mention that you have no qualms about filing a complaint with your state insurance department and you will find him/her much more cooperative. Good luck. __________________ "I'd like to meet the person who invented sex and see what they're working on now." -Groucho Marx

04-23-2003, 11:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
htwhite Crazy Location: tennessee	as long as there is no rust on the bare spot go ahead and lie, after all, it is legit.

04-23-2003, 01:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
davidc209 Tilted Location: Miami, FL	Yes, there is a good reason to not say it happened a few weeks ago. Statute of limitations. Find out what that time period is with your insurance carrier. Replace "happened a few weeks back" with "happened 3 years back"... the insurance company would laugh you out the door. A few weeks is probably not pushing it, but find out what your statute of limitations for claims is with your carrier.

04-24-2003, 06:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Binder Insane Location: between lost and confused	if you are going to call them, make sure the cost of the repair will be more than your deductable. if it isn't then it is just a waste of time, and a small blemish on your insurance record.