Expert: Anne - 9/8/2010

Question
My vehicle was hit while parked. Two other vehicles were also hit and a
mailbox run over. The insured's company is Geico & they only have
$10,000.00 Coverage. I do not have collision. I've been told by Geico the
total damages for all involved exceeds the $10,000.00 limit. They also told
me that one of the cars involved was sold back to their own insurance
co.(State Farm) for salvage (obviously they had collision) I paid to repair my
own car because I needed it for work. Now it's coming up on 3 months -
still no payment. Geico now tells me they are waiting for the car that was
bought for salvage to either be sold or sold for parts because if its less
than what State Farm paid their insured, they can pay them the lower cost.
My repair facility says no its not true Geico has to pay State Farm the
amount they paid to their insured regardless of salvage. All I know is I am
still waiting to be reimbursed months later and now Geico says I wont even
get all my money back according to the estimate because they will figure
out a percentage for all the vehicles involved because it exceeds the
coverage amount. What's the truth here?

Answer
Hello Jack,

Unfortunately this is a matter of state law. Each state does a different thing regarding salvage payment. You should visit the department of insurance website and get more information there. Here is a link to a page that links to all fifty states (table at the bottom).

http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/car-insurance-agent.html

If you cannot find information there, consider filing a complaint against Geico and State Farm. This may get the claim moving.

Good Luck
Anne
http://www.quirogalawoffice.com/