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Auto Insurance Claims/DUAGHTER NOT ON INSURANCE PLAN HAD A ACCIDENT
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Question
I LIVE IN ILLINOIS. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT RECENTLY AND TOTALED MY CAR. THEY SAID I DIDN'T HAVE HER ON THE INSURANCE- WHICH I THOUGHT I DID-ANYWAY THEY ARE TRYING TO DECIDED IF THEY WILL PAY ME THE BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR MY CAR- IT'S A FORD ZX2, WITH 57,000 MILES- DO YOU THINK THEY WILL GIVE ME THE BLUE BOOK VALUE? I LOOKED IT UP AND IT CAME TO 4000.00 ON LINE, I PUT THE FRONT END DAMAGE, AND RADITOR. I ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU WERE INSURING THE CAR NOT THE PERSON, BUT I HAD THOUGHT I HAD HER ON MY INSURANCE PLAN, WHAT ARE MY CHANCES?
You are insuring both the vehicle and the drivers on a policy. If two people drive a car, it is more likely to be involved in an accident. Therefore there is a premium owed for each listed driver. Additionally, premiums are also based on the driving history and age of each driver. How can the insurance company base a premium on someone that was never reported to them? Your policy and application that you signed both state that all drivers must be reported for coverage to apply.
If the claim is covered, the insurance company owes you the actual cash value of the vehicle. This has absolutely nothing to do with the "Blue Book". By Blue Book, I'm not sure what you are actually referring to; Kelly Blue Book, NADA or what. Either way, these books generally only represent the "retail suggested asking prices" for vehicles. The actual cash value is the "selling price". If actual selling prices are listed, they are for a fully reconditioned vehicle with sitting on a dealer lot, generally with a warranty. This does not represent the typical private party vehicle. They also often reflect inflated prices on paperwork due to people trading cars in that they owe more than their value. The book prices are only a starting point for negotiation when buying a car and most cars actually sell for about 20 less. The insurance company will locate vehicles based on selling prices, will make adjustments for mileage, condition and options and will offer you the actual cash value.
Good luck!
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Answers by Expert:
webfoot
Expertise
Auto damage, liability, insurance fraud. I am a full time auto insurance adjuster with experience in collision, theft, liability and fraud investigation. I am also an ASE Master Auto Tech and I-Car Collision Platinum certified. My experience includes 15 years in the auto repair industry, a B.S. in Criminal Justice, Law enforcement and auto insurance. ****** NO "PRIVATE" QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED. I HAVE FOUND THAT NEARLY ALL PRIVATE QUESTIONS COME FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERING OR ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT FELONY INSURANCE FRAUD AND I'M NOT HERE TO HELP YOU! ****** I AM HERE TO ANSWER AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR, CLAIMS PROCESS AND SOME SIMPLE LIABILITY QUESTIONS. I CANNOT ADDRESS COMPLEX LIABILITY SCENARIOS WITHOUT HAVING ALL OF THE INFO FROM BOTH SIDES IN FRONT OF ME. QUESTIONS ABOUT PREMIUMS OR HOW INSURANCE IS RATED SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO YOUR PERSONAL INSURANCE AGENT WHO KNOWS A WHOLE LOT MORE ABOUT YOUR HISTORY THAN I DO. I'VE NEVER SOLD INSURANCE AND DO NOT KNOW IF YOUR INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE RATES WILL GO UP IF YOU MAKE A CLAIM. THOUGH I'VE HANDLED SOME VERY MINOR SOFT TISSUE INJURY SETTLEMENTS, I PREFER NOT TO ANSWER INJURY RELATED QUESTIONS. I'M NO INJURY EXPERT AND I'LL LIKELY SAY SOMETHING TO HURT SOMEONE'S FEELINGS AS I BELIEVE THAT MANY SOFT TISSUE PAIN AND SUFFERING CLAIMS ARE OVER DRAMATIZED. UNLIKE MANY OTHERS, I AM ON THIS FORUM AS A VOLUNTEER WITH NO PRODUCTS OR SERVICES TO SELL AND PROMISE AN UPFRONT ANSWER BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IN BOTH SIDES OF THE INDUSTRY. IF YOU PROVIDE ME WITH A HONEST VERSION OF EVENTS, I PROMISE A CANDID AND HONEST ANSWER IN RETURN. I CANNOT ADDRESS ALL CLAIM SCENERIOS DUE TO DIFFERING STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, BUT WILL DO MY BEST. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AN HONEST ANSWER MAY BE ONE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE SO IF THAT IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM, PLEASE DON'T ASK THE QUESTION. LASTLY, I DO NOT ACCEPT RATINGS AS I DON'T DO THIS FOR RATINGS AND WISH TO SPEAK FREELY.
Experience
20 years in automotive industry, Currently in insurance claims, worked actively as technician and shop owner until about 10 years ago. Current ASE Master Auto Tech and I-Car Platinum Collision Certifications, B.S. Criminal Justice and 10 year auto insurance/extended warranty background
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