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About Rob Painter, Ase, CFEI, CAFATE
Expertise
Please remember. I am not an attorney and cannot legal advice. My answers are based on my experience due to litigation I have been involved in as an expert, for both insurance companies and while oposing them opposing them. I deal with only comprehensive claims on autos related to fire and theft. I have even had the opportunity to rewrite policy coverage language as it relates to vehicle theft and forced entry for insurance defense attorneys.

Experience
Experience in the area: Working with insurance companies and attorneys on these issues for over 20 years. It is very common to have a reported stolen car with a so-called factory anti-theft system to have the theft claim denied. I have served successfully as an expert witness in the courts across the US representing the insured and their attorney revealing that the insurance expert did not take all known theories into consideration before rendering their "Forensic" conclusion. Many insurance carriers us independent "Forensic" experts to examine reported stolen vehicles commonly using flawed methodology implicating the innocent insured with the theft. My job is to determine if the insurance expert reached his conclusions based on accepted scientific principals or just net opinion with no basis other than opinion. My case record against such experts is very compelling.My resume can be seen at the catagory "Auto Theft and Prevention." In "Forensics" the scientific method must be employed. In the forensic locksmith field determining how a reported stolen vehicle was last operated, many processes cannot be duplicated and are conveniently not addressed. If they were, juries would have the opportunity to make a fair and impartial opinion at least about what the expert could or could not prove. There is a purported process determining the last key used. The chances of determining such is very rare uless the key is found in the ignition lock. Experts commonly destroy evidence as well and are rarely questioned on this event. I reveal the weakness in their testimony on such instances.

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Auto Insurance Claims - Hit my own car

Expert: Rob Painter, Ase, CFEI, CAFATE - 11/5/2009

Question
Hello-
I was backing out of my driveway at night and backed into our truck, that was parked in front of my driveway. (done to prevent thieves from stealing our car.) There is modest damage to both cars.I have a $200. deductable for collision and $50. deductable for comprehensive. I'm not sure if I should claim one was damaged w/out our knowledge and pay to repair the other, or be honest and pay the $400.00 deductable, which I do not have. I don't want to contact my insurer until I know all my options.
What do you suggest. Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hello,

You can do what you want, however lying could go backwards on you and then you may get stuck with no claim payment and possibly criminal charges. The choice is yours.

Times are tight and there is a very good chance you will be dropped if you turn in these claims.

Insurance should be used only for catastrophic damage. That hardly seems your situation. I have had a crack in my windshield for 4 years. I could turn it in, but that is a claim. If you look at new applications, they ask if you have had any type of claim in three years.

Personally, I would tell you to bite the bullet here. Besides, what happens if you fix them and do the same thing?

Good luck!

Rob

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