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Auto Insurance Claims/Lapsed policy vehicle parked / hit and ran

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Expert: webfoot - 6/6/2006


Question
My vehicles policy was three weeks lapsed at the time it was parked properly on a California street. It was hit by another vehicle at high speed doing a great deal of damage, possibly totaling it just a few days ago. I found a license plate in the debris and followed radiator drainage from the crash to a vehicle a block away which was still hot and severally crushed with the matching plate on it. I notified police and they made a report but only gave me a number for the report and not the other vehicle info insurance registration etc. saying it would only be made available to my insurance carrier. How do I recover at this point? Should I reinstate my coverage at this point? What would be their incentive to negotiate on my behalf? Is there a workable way for me to file a claim against the other vehicles insurer? My vehicle was flawless a few days ago, new and being financed through the manufacturer. Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated..-Dire Straights

Answer
Good grief!  This was an unfortunate event, but darn good detective work on your part.  

The only thing that the cop told you that may be correct is that he cannot directly give out the info.  If you go and get the report though, the driver's info may be on it now.    A hit and run is a traffic offense and I'm sure that through some court system research, you will find that the report number will be tied to some traffic charges that will identify the owner of that vehicle.  If they are not pressing traffic charges, then you'll want to take your info to the police chief and find out why not.  You are after all, a victim.  If you will contact your department of motor vehicles, you may find that they will release the information to you as long as you have the police report.  I don't see how the law would protect a hit and run driver in a case like this.  

As far as getting an insurance company to pick it up, it's not going to happen.

If all of the above fail, let me know.
Good luck and I'd appreciate your feedback.

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webfoot

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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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