Expert: Doctor Settlement - 11/4/2007

Question
Driver rear ended me and accepted responsibility. Police did not write report at scene and told us to contact AT FAULT DRIVER'S insurance co. and not to call ours as it will show as an accident for me even though I wasn't at fault. Should I not call my insurance to report information only? There is more than 1,000 damage to my car. Thank you. D. Davis

Answer
Hi D. Davis,

I only agree with half of what the officer said.  He is right to say that if you are not going to use your insurance, then there is no need to call them.  The other side will arrange for the repair.  Just be sure to get up to speed on various repair rights and problems.

Auto accident first steps—auto body shops—rental car rights http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0458.htm

Auto insurance adjusters and collision repair shops http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0456.htm

Insurance cash for diminished value claims http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0455.htm

FAQ: diminished value insurance claims http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0454.htm

As for his advice that this could be considered an "at fault" accident for purposes of raising your rates, the better insurance commissioners have set a threshold and rules for that.  For future reference, your state insurance commissioner should have some set rules on the threshold that must be met before an insurance company can call an accident "at fault" for purposes of raising the rates.  Check out your own insurance commissioner's webste http://www.settlementcentral.com/links.php

If you want to see what the best insurance commissioner in the United States has on his website, go to Mike Kreidler Washington's EXCEPTIONAL Insurance Commissioner http://www.insurance.wa.gov/

Hopefully your insurance commissioner has established a threshold for the insurance industry before it can call an accident at fault and raise rates.  If not, then ask your legislator why your state does not have a good consumer advocate as Washington's Mike Kreidler.

Best wishes,

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
www.settlementcentral.com