Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 3/7/2009

Question
Last Friday, I drove on a main street northbound, passing through an intersection with another street. I saw a taxi westbound stopped on the intersection to wait my car to pass, as there is a stop sign on that street. But another SUV on that street eastbound hit my car driver-side doors and push my car hit the taxi. I called police, the officer gave me a police report, saying it's the SUV fault as there is a stop sign. But the driver insisted that he stopped. This Monday, I filed a claim to the SUV driver insurance (Travelers Ins), the appraiser came and inspected my car and said my car totaled. I called the insurance again for claim, they just said they need to contact the driver. I called the driver and wanted to make sure if the insurance called the driver, but the driver did not answer my call. It looks like the driver does not want to cooperate. As I only have liability, my insurance do not want help me. So my question is how can I get the insurance repair my car?


Answer
Hi Sheng,

If the insurance company said your car is totaled then it will not be repaired. Once they make contact with their insured and everything checks out, the insurance company will buy your car from you. It can not be repaired if it is totaled. They will pay you the value of your car plus saales tax. You should search www.autotrader.com to check on the value your self to be sure they offer you a fair value.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh