Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 10/20/2009

Question
Yesterday I was rear-ended, I immediately called my insurance company.  The claims department gave me two options.  The first being, going through my insurance and incur costs for rental car and paying the deductible (they will try to recoup costs from the liable party's insurance) or I can go directly through the liable party's insurance myself and my insurance will close the case.  Going through the other party's insurance would mean I do all the legwork. Which is the better way to go?  Thank you

Answer
Hi Gail,

I'm not sure what you mean by legwork.

You would have to contact the other insurance comapny and report the accident. You can then judge for yourself based on how they treat you how difficult the process will be. In most cases they will assign an adjuster who will go out and inspect your car and write a repair estimate. You would then take that estimate to thew shop of your choice and put your car in for the repairs. If the shop finds any additional damage of if their are any differences at all, the shop will contact the insurance company to negotiate the difference. The other company willpay the repairs in full and will also provide you a rental car.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh