Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 12/10/2009

Question
i was hit by a big rig last week, i made a claim through my insurance company that day. my insurance company is telling me that they cannot get a hold of their insurance company (praetorian) they are giving my insurance company the run around saying that the truck driver does not have a policy and what not. i do not have uninsured motorist on my policy. i have tried to contact the driver, i have looked up his company and believe he is an owner operator. i have no vehicle to drive and cant do anything to my vehicle till their insurance company looks at it. what should my next step be?

Answer
Hi Chelsea,

If you have collision coverage, your insurance company should repair your vehicle and then they will pursue reimbursment from the other insurance comapny or the truck owner.

If you do not have collision coverage, then the only thing you can do is to keep trying to contact the truck driver. If you have his address, send him a certified letter demanding that he provide correct insurance information or you will have no choice but to file a law suit against him personally. If he or his insurance company do not cooperate then the only thing you can do is to file suit against the driver.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh