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About Richard Hixenbaugh
Expertise
Auto insurance claims procedure, auto coverage, liability issues, auto damage questions, how to deal with the insurance company, loss of use and diminished value.

Experience
I have been involved in the insurance industry for over 20 years. I have experience in underwriting, sales, claims adjusting, auto damage estimating, auto value appraising and diminished value appraising. I have testified as an expert witness over 10 times.

Education/Credentials
Completed all required courses for the Florida Property-Casualty agents license and the Florida claims adjusters license. I have attended various courses on auto damage estmating, vehicle appraising and am ASE certified in collision damage analysis.

Past/Present clients
My company has done work for consumers nationwide.

You are here: Experts > Autos > Auto Insurance > Auto Insurance Claims > Auto Accident

Auto Insurance Claims - Auto Accident

Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 11/7/2009

Question
I am in Maine and was involved in a fender bender 3 weeks ago with an out of state driver who was using an Avis Rental car. We called the police and the driver admitted that I was in his blind spot and he didn't see me when he moved over into my lane, causing damage the entire length of my car. I also have a witness who stopped and provided her name and phone number to the police. After a week of no response from this gentleman's insurance company, State Farm, I called them. They told me that he never reported the accident. So I gave them all the information, they replied that an adjuster would be calling me within 24-48 hours and that I could take my vehicle to one of their "approved" collision centers for an estimate. They provided me with those names. After several days without response from an adjuster, I called back. They now said that since it was a rental vehicle that Avis would be responsible and that they had contacted them and had a claim number and adjusters name for me. It's now been three weeks, I've filed an "Avis accident Report" faxing it to two different numbers and have left messages for both the adjuster and her supervisor 3 times. I still have had NO response. I included the Avis, claim form, accident report and the estimate for my damages. I do not want to claim this with my own insurance company in order to avoid a rate increase. I have a young driver on my policy with a couple fender benders herself. How can I get a response from AVIS and or is STATE FARM equally as responsible?

Answer
Hi Brenda,

Avis would only be responsible if the renter actually purchased their optional insurance. Otherwise his insurance with State Farm would be primary. In either case you should not delay much further. If you do not get confirmation from avis or State Farm they they are paying the claim within a couple more days, you should report this to your insurance company. Since you were not at fault, you will not incur a rate increase. Your insurance company will pay for your repairs and then they will pursue the other companies for reimbursement. Once they receive reimbursement they will then reimburse you for your deductible. In some cases your insurance company may waive your deductible once they have the information needed to be sure they will be reimbursed.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh

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