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Auto Insurance Claims/tortfeasers - Who pays first

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Expert: - 5/2/2010


Question
I'm the injured passenger in a taxi.  Taxi not at fault.  Other driver 100% fault.  Driver of at fault vehicle is under 21. and possibly related to the owner of the car.  Demand letter is a 6 figure settlement. What is my pecking order of liable tortfeasers...Tell me if I am correct.  #1.  Policy of owners of at-fault vehicle.  #2  Policy of Teen driver or his parents if not excluded.  #3  Taxi driver UIM  #4  My UIM.   Thank you for answering my questions.

Answer
Hi Vanessa,

You are correct except you need to eliminate #2. Auto insurance follows the vehicle not the driver so the policy of the at-fault driver or his parents does not come into play here.

Otherwise you are correct.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh

Auto Insurance Claims

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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 25 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 35 times.

Organizations
Society of Certified Auto Appraisers

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.

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