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About Richard Hixenbaugh
(Top Expert on this page)

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 20 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 10 times.

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.

You are here: Experts > Autos > Auto Insurance > Auto Insurance Claims

Questions Answered By Expert Richard Hixenbaugh
In Category Auto Insurance Claims

Subject	Date Asked

Appealing a surcharge	10/12/2008
Q: I was recently involved in a car accident. There was a jogger coming toward me on the side of the ... A: You can certainly try to appeal. However, you will likely not win. You are required to always be in ...
Parking lot accident	10/11/2008
Q: I had an accident today in a parking lot that has one way traffic. I was pulling out of my spot ... A: Parking lot accidents are some of the most difficult to determine liability. In most cases liability ...
Keys left in stolen car	10/11/2008
Q: My granddaughter and her friend stole a car. The keys were left in the car at gas station. It ... A: I do not understand what they are suing you for. If they only drove the car 2 miles and parked it, ...
Will my insurance cover my medical bills	10/11/2008
Q: I have liability and comp on my car (not full coverage) We were involved in a rollover accident, no ... A: Different states have different coverage on the auto policy. Some states have Medical Payments ...
Auto Insurance and Health Insurance Paid - Contractual Adjustment Apply?	10/10/2008
Q: I was in an auto accident and have settled with the other driver's insurance company. I have paid ... A: You just need to write to them explaining the situation and telling then that your health insurer as ...
auto accident	10/10/2008
Q: I was driving in Kansas,The line of traffic was slowing down, their were 4 cars involved, The lady ... A: This is a big problem. Since you had no insurance at the time of the accident you will have to pay ...
auto claim	10/9/2008
Q: Hey Richard, I am a physician in ohio. I treated a patient for an auto accident, her attorney ... A: Unfortunately, I am not specifically familiar with Ohio law as it pertains to this situation. ...
DUI Suspended license	10/9/2008
Q: My friend recently bought a car in his Dads name, totaled it in an accident driving DUI on a ... A: If the insurance company pays the claim they will pay the fair market value of the car. They are not ...
Insurance claim	10/8/2008
Q: I was sitting at a red light and a car rear ended me a couple month ago. Ambulance took me to the ... A: Generally, an injury settlement for soft tissue injuries will be 2 to 3 times the total of the ...
minor involved auto accident	10/8/2008
Q: My 15 year old son ran a stop sign on his bicycle and hit a car damaging it slightly as well as his ... A: Unfortunately, as a parent you are responsible for the actions of your child. No fault has nothing ...
under insured letter	10/7/2008
Q: My sister was in a car accident and she needs to send a letter to her insurance company alerting ... A: Your sister can simply call the claims department of her insurance company. She should tell them ...
diminished value	10/7/2008
Q: I was involved in a car accident on sep 21st. my car was damaged and sent to car body shop for ... A: Yes you are entitled to be paid for diminished value if there is a diminished value. This will ...
Claim question	10/7/2008
Q: I have full coverage comp/coll. on my truck and I backed into a tree. Will the insurance company ... A: Yes, your insurance comapny will pay for the cost of repairs less your deductible. You do not need a ...
car accident	10/6/2008
Q: was involved in a car accident 9/15. I was a a complete stop, it was a 20 mile/hr corner and I got ... A: You can file a law suit if you want to. However, just as you have said that you have no money and ...
Motor Claim	10/6/2008
Q: As i approached she pulled out in front of me and i hit her rear offside. My car was totalled and i ... A: Unfortunately, you have not asked any questions here for me to answer. However, if you are simply ...
Adjusters offer	10/6/2008
Q: Two years ago I was in a "head on collision" where a phantom driver swerved in front of another car ... A: Since you were not at fault, there should be no affect on your policy. It does sound accurate that ...
Parking lot accident.	10/5/2008
Q: Hey Richard, I was recently involved in a parking lot accident and was wondering if you could help ... A: Parking lot accidents are some of the most difficult to determine who is at fault. Both drivers have ...
Stolen and Recovered car	10/5/2008
Q: My paid off car, a 2002 Dodge Intrepid has 72K miles. It was stolen and recovered after just one ... A: The insurance company will issue the check to you for the repairs. What you do with the money is ...
Insurance premium change	10/5/2008
Q: I had 2 accidents within a period of 3 months. I was at fault for the first one. I am told that i am ... A: If a claim is made to your insurance company for the second accident, they will pay the claim. It is ...
settlement	10/4/2008
Q: was injured in a hit and run a little over 3 years ago. I ended up with 5 herniated disc. My ... A: The settlement with the insurance company will be a one time lump sum settlement. You should be ...
insurance claims/reimbursement	10/4/2008
Q: My son was shooting at some birds with his b.b. gun and a vehicle passed by at the same time he shot ... A: Unfortunately you will be required to pay the money. As a parent, you are legally responsible for ...
Est way below actual cost to repair & Diminished Value	10/4/2008
Q: I live in NC and was involved in an auto accident 4 months ago, in which I was declared the ... A: Since you were deemed to be at fault, you are dealing with your own insurance policy. In North ...
auto accident in KS expired insurance	10/3/2008
Q: My son-in-law was rear ended this morning and exchanged insurance info with the other driver. No ... A: I'm assuming that you meant that your son-in-law's insurance was cancelled. This is no problem. Your ...
am i gettin screwed	10/3/2008
Q: I was rear-ended a month and a half ago. After many unreturned phone calls over the weeks about why ... A: It is the job of an insurance company to minimize claims. in your case it sounds like your vehicle, ...
Rental car accident	10/2/2008
Q: I was hit from behind in a rental car by an uninsured driver (who claimed to be insured at the time, ... A: As the renter of the car you are responsible to the rental company for any damage. You will have to ...
Car insurance for recently married daughter	10/2/2008
Q: my 18 yr old daughter covered on our auto policy recently got married. is she still coveredunder ... A: You should call your insurance company to remove her from your policy. As long as she now live ...
minor parking lot accident	10/1/2008
Q: I was backing out of a parking space at the mall the other day and I was toward an end spot. An ... A: Unfortunately, many insurance companies will increase your rate just based on the fact that the ...
parked car hit & totalled..too young to rent car?	9/30/2008
Q: my parked car was hit and totaled today. I will be putting the claim thru to the womans' insurance ... A: Unfortunately, your loan has nothing to do with what the insurance company will pay. If the car is ...
Problem reaching settlement of "classic" stolen vehicle	9/29/2008
Q: My daughter's fully restored 1958 Volkswagen Beetle was stolen after 5 months of ownership. The ... A: The first thing that you have to understand is that the insurance comapny has no interest in ...
auto insurance lawsuit	9/29/2008
Q: i had a accident in 2001 it was my fault. i got a phone call friday afternoon that the person that i ... A: The statute of limitations is different in each state but generally runs from 2 years to 6 years ...
Medical Emergency	9/28/2008
Q: While stopped at a red light, a motorist hit me. The driver was having a seizure. His insurance ... A: Unfortunately, when a person has a siezure or a heart attack and causes an accident, they are not ...
Auto Insurance Claims	9/28/2008
Q: my husband was driving when the car next to him was spending went out of control and he hit him in ... A: When you get the police report, you should call the other drivers insurance company. They will take ...
denial of payment to a claim that wasn't at fault	9/27/2008
Q: my daughter was in a car accident that had a police report and it stated she wasn't at fault. the ... A: First you need to get from the other insurance company a written detailed explanation of why they ...
How do I prove who was at Fault in a parking lot accident?	9/26/2008
Q: Auto accident happened 7/7/08 in Florida. My insurance company GEICO says the other driver is 100% ... A: Parking lot accidents are some of the most difficult to determine liability. In most cases liability ...
Small Insurance Claim	9/26/2008
Q: I was a passenger of an accident in CA in late July. My boyfriend and I had just left for vacation ... A: Since there is no doctor visit, there is no proof of an injury. You should explain to the m the pain ...
How long does the insurance company have to pay me	9/26/2008
Q: Richard, My car was in an accident in April of this year. I placed the claim through my full ... A: In most states the insurance company has 30 days to either pay or deny the claim. You should send a ...
Motorcycle	9/25/2008
Q: I was turning left onto an overpass, looked both ways seeing nothing, but turning left I saw a ... A: Yes you can fight this. You should tell your insurance company that you have an independent witness. ...
Gap Insurance	9/25/2008
Q: My car was stolen and then found but, was considered a total loss. My insurance company paid the ... A: This is a very serious situation. The car note is still due until they receive full payment. The ...
charge for old repair	9/25/2008
Q: Last winter, my wife hit the right back bumper against a guard rail during a snowstorm. Little ... A: Each incident is seperate. If the only way to fix the damage from the second accident is to fix the ...
Insurance settlement	9/24/2008
Q: Our BMW in San Diego was backed into at a grocery parking lot and took pictures at scene.Other ... A: You should take the vehicle to the shop of your choice for the repairs. You should give the shop a ...
Auto Accident with Injury	9/24/2008
Q: I was in a car accident in the state of VA on August 7 where I rear ended. I am under a chiropracter ... A: There is a great website for those "do it yourselfers" out there. It's www.collisionwizard.com . The ...
unfair liability decision	9/23/2008
Q: I was driving when I struck the divider due to the weather. My car was then disabled sideways in ... A: No. It does not sound like the second accident was your fault. Your vehicle was disabled, you got ...
Motorcycle theft.	9/23/2008
Q: I reported a theft claim on june 22, 08 to progressive insurance, and just spoke to the claims rep. ... A: S., If the insurance company has sent you a "Reservation of Rights" letter they can continue the ...
Validity of a witness	9/22/2008
Q: Can someone who is in their car viewing an fender bender from their rear view mirror be a valid ... A: Unfortunately, there is no way that I can tell you what someone else may have seen or not seen. It ...
Insurance	9/22/2008
Q: The at fault driver won't contact her insurance company. As a result the insurance company can not ... A: If there was a police report you should obtain a copy of the police report and send it to the ...
Not my fault in accident	9/21/2008
Q: In a mall there was lot of traffic and vehicle were moving at 5 miles. 1 lady hit my car while ... A: The person at fault may be indicated in the police report. Sometimes the police officer is not able ...
Not my fault in accident	9/21/2008
Q: In a mall there was lot of traffic and vehicle were moving at 5 miles. 1 lady hit my car while ... A: If the police made a report, the lady's insurance information will be on that report. You should ...
Question about dealing with insurance company claims	9/20/2008
Q: My 1999 Oldsmobile Silihuette Van was parked on a public street. A school bus that was parked on an ... A: The value of your van may or may not have been increased by the work you had done. It will depend on ...
auto accident	9/20/2008
Q: I was in a car accident in July 2007.Ive done had sugery on my lower back,and the doctor said i can ... A: Based on your question, I assume someone else was at-fault for your accident and that their policy ...
no fault pasenger ( auto claim)	9/19/2008
Q: I was a no fault passenger in a car accident with my sister, the police couldnt determine whos fault ... A: You were not very clear in your questions but I will do my best. Each state has different rules ...
Miscellanious Accident Expenses	9/19/2008
Q: I was recently rear ended while driving my son's pickup. My daughter who was in a similar accident, ... A: I have never heard of this. What each company will do or not do is determined by the specific ...
rental reimbursement and bad faith	9/18/2008
Q: I was recently in an accident on August 13, 2008. The other driver was at fault and recieved a ... A: Some insurance companies intentionally operate on the brink of bad faith all the time. They do this ...
At-fault driver refuses to provide insurance information	9/18/2008
Q: A few days ago my neighbor reversed his Escalade into my 2008 Audi, causing around $2000 damage ... A: You will not forfeit any claim. If your neighbor wants to pay out of pocket that is ok. You should ...
Hit and Run	9/17/2008
Q: I just bought my car, haven't even made the first payment. There's only liability coverage though ... A: If the car was financed you must have collision coverage or the finance company will buy it for you ...
not at fault but being blamed	9/17/2008
Q: Someone turned left in front of me in a parking lot yesterday and crashed into the right front ... A: This is a classic he said - she said. Unless you have an independent witness it is unlikely you ...
not at fault accident with suspended license	9/16/2008
Q: i was recently in a not at fault accident - no question...i was stopped at a red light when another ... A: You should call her insurance and report the claim. If you do not have the info then call her to get ...
not at fault accident with suspended license	9/16/2008
Q: i was recently in a not at fault accident - no question...i was stopped at a red light when another ... A: Not to worry. The fact that your license was suspended has no bearing on the fact that the other ...
No Resolution to my Claim	9/15/2008
Q: I was involved in an auto accident about 2 months ago where I was making a left hand turn and the ... A: Since the other person has an attorney and is refuting liability, there is nothing you can do to ...
Backed Into A Parked Car	9/15/2008
Q: Richard, I backed into a parked car in a parking garage earlier tonight and smashed my left tail ... A: If this claim is placed through your insurance, it will be considered an at-fault event which may ...
bumped a pedestrian	9/14/2008
Q: My son was stopped at a crosswalk and a 12 year old girl was on the left side of the crosswalk ... A: The determination of who is at fault will depend on the statements that both you and the girl ...
Opened Car door at light- Door hit, by another driver	9/14/2008
Q: I hope you can help me. I was at a light (6th car or so in from light) on road with 3 lanes. I was ... A: I think if I were you I would try to fight this. You were obviously stranded, had your flashers on ...
Rear-ended	9/13/2008
Q: Can I prove that I wasrear-ended by the damage on my car? I wasrear-ended but the person that hit ... A: You can try to use the text messages if there is a way to show them to her insurance company and be ...
child with soft tissue injury	9/13/2008
Q: My 4 year old son and I were rear-ended almost 2 months ago. We were at a dead stop and the other ... A: Double the medical bills is very reasonable. However, ther are 2 things you should consider; 1) you ...
Rear-ended	9/12/2008
Q: Can I prove that I wasrear-ended by the damage on my car? I wasrear-ended but the person that hit ... A: Unfortunately, this is a classic he said...she said situation. Just be firm in your argument. Tell ...
Auto Accident	9/12/2008
Q: My 19 year old daughter, who is insured on my policy, was involved in an accident. She was in the ... A: If as you state you have a police officer who witnessed that the truck hit your daughter and forced ...
Claim Question	9/11/2008
Q: I was involved in a wreck on my motorcycle where the other party made an illegal turn and I hit them ... A: Yes. The insurance company is responsible for paying for a comparable vehicle to one that was ...
Motorcycle theft.	9/11/2008
Q: I reported a theft claim on june 22, 08 to progressive insurance, and just spoke to the claims rep. ... A: S., Most states have a time limit of 60 days for theft claims. The insurance company can extent ...
Small Claims Court Against Insurance Company	9/2/2008
Q: I was in an auto accident over a month ago where a woman hit me from behind and her insurance ... A: First of all you can not sue the insurance company. You would file suit against the at-fault person ...
Insurance not paying claim	9/2/2008
Q: I was hit from the rear over a month ago on vacation. I was stopped and heard tires screaching ... A: Unfortunately, waiting it out is your best and fastest option at this point. Your primary target ...
Rv used as tour vehicle hit by driver who fell asleep	9/1/2008
Q: My name is Dom, I own a small business and A big part of it is traveling nationally usually around ... A: Unfortunately, there is no quick process. You need to find a body shop that will work on this thing. ...
Hi Richard! I have a question about auto damage and possible injury.	8/31/2008
Q: Perhaps you can help me. I was stopped at a red light in my 2004 Hyundai Elantra for a good 30 ... A: Obviously there is no way I can tell you how fast the truck was going. I was not there. However, it ...
State Farm problems.	8/31/2008
Q: I had my motorcycle stolen on July 24, 2008 and I was wondering how long they have before they have ... A: In most states, an insurance company has upto 60 days to investigate and either pay or deny a theft ...
Auto Insurance and Accident	8/29/2008
Q: I was hit in the rear at a stop light and hit the car in front of me. The guy who hit me took off. ... A: You should not pay him anything. You were not at fault for the damage. If he is also aware that ...
Advice needed : )	8/29/2008
Q: I was recently rear ended. The collision damaged the unibody (sp?) and the insurance company ... A: In addition to the cost of repairs, you are also entitled to be paid for the loss of value to the ...
geico settlement	8/29/2008
Q: My daughter was sitting at a street light and was rear ended by a geico driver. I was told the ... A: I'm sorry your daughter had to go through this. Under the circumstances, with over $45,000.00 in ...
Auto Insurance claim	8/28/2008
Q: I drive a scion XA 2006. I was involved in an minor accident near my house when an older lady was ... A: If you did not get any of the ladies information and there was no independent witness, your ...
gap insurance denies claim	8/28/2008
Q: my truck rolloed over and was totaled by my personal auto ins. but it didnt cover all the balance so ... A: The thing that determins whether or not they have to provide coverage is the actual wording of the ...
shoulld I sue insurance company	8/27/2008
Q: Richard Hixenbaugh: At Feb. 28, about 6 clock,one teenage girl hit my car in my driveway, her ... A: You would not sue Allstate at all. If you file a law suit it would be against the girl who was ...
Enterprise Rent-A-Car	8/27/2008
Q: My car was hit while parked in a parking lot by an Enterprise rent-a-car. We got the license plate ... A: Unfortunately, the only way to get the information out of enterprise is to hire an attorney to file ...
Liability and getting an Insurance Company to pay	8/27/2008
Q: I was in an accident with another vehicle. Because real fault was not determined by the police at ... A: At this point your issue is with your insurance company not the other parties company. If your ...
Car Accident	8/26/2008
Q: At a stoplight my son's car was hit from behind. The guy who hit it insurance company said the ... A: Unfortunately no. The decision to repair or total a car is soley up to the insurance company. If the ...
Quick Question	8/25/2008
Q: A "jiffyLube" here in Las vegas, NV has detroyed our transmission, according to two ASE certified ... A: You should send the owner or nmanager of the shop a demand letter by certified mail.return receipt ...
Auto Accident While Delivering PIzza	8/24/2008
Q: My brother was in an accident whiile delivering pizzas for a restaurant chain. He had an accident, ... A: This is a common problem. The standard personal auto policy does not coverage damage that is caused ...
Working with at fault Insurance Agency	8/24/2008
Q: Richard, I live in Texas. Background: I own an older car, was hit and I am going through the at ... A: Unfortunately, the decision to repair or total a car is solely up to the insurance comapny. You, the ...
auto accident entitlements	8/24/2008
Q: i was in a accident when a guy ran a stop sign and totaled my caravan . my caravan is a 1998 and i ... A: The rebuilt trans mission will add some value if it was done within the last year. You will have to ...
auto accident	8/23/2008
Q: I was recently in an auto accident. The other driver was ticketed for failure to yield. I was not ... A: Insurance companies will often try to reduce the amount they will have to pay by placing a ...
Computer laptop issue with insurance	8/23/2008
Q: We have never had a claim before but in April had a hot water heater explode. We had alot of damage ... A: This is standard for insurance companies. They assume that every claim has fraud in it and that you ...
car accident	8/22/2008
Q: A man crashed into the rear of my car in a MacDonalds drive through and he is saying that I reverse ... A: Unfortunately, when ther are conflicting stories and both parties are insured with the same company, ...
prior damage on a totaled car	8/22/2008
Q: My leased car was recently totaled due to a car accident. I recieved a bill from the leasing ... A: If your insurance company made a deduction from the value of the car for the prior damage which ...
start my own appraiser business	8/21/2008
Q: I sound very similar to the gentleman in Florida. I have all these years of experience and knowledge ... A: If you have the experience and know how to write a repair estimate using one of the 3 major ...
stolen vehicle with salvage title	8/21/2008
Q: i had bought a vehicle back in january that had a salvage title but was rebuilt and in perfect ... A: This is standard procedure in any theft claim. The insurance company always assumes that the owner ...
Total Loss Replacemet	8/20/2008
Q: My car was in an accident, in GA. They are saying it is a total loss. Is there a law in GA that ... A: I understood your question. The insurance company is required to pay you the fair value of your car. ...
Total Loss Replacemet	8/20/2008
Q: My car was in an accident, in GA. They are saying it is a total loss. Is there a law in GA that ... A: The insurance company is responsible for paying you the fair market value of YOUR vehicle. Not ...
FIRE	8/19/2008
Q: In early Mar. I had a seizure while driving. My insurance comp. recommended and took my truck to a ... A: Not necessarily. To determine the actual diminished value you would have to hire a professional ...
FIRE	8/19/2008
Q: In early Mar. I had a seizure while driving. My insurance comp. recommended and took my truck to a ... A: You should tell the Lizard to crawl back into the swamp. If they are the ones that told you to go ...
settlement with multiple claimants	8/18/2008
Q: We live in Indiana. Two months ago my daughter was a passenger in an auto accident with 4 other ... A: The consequences will depend on a number of things such as the total amount of all of the claims ...
Insurance company won't pay total loss	8/18/2008
Q: My husband got into an accident recently. The other party was pulling out so my husband tried to ... A: The other insurance comapny is just trying to rip you off. You should let your insurance company ...
Unsure	8/18/2008
Q: I was cut-off by another vehicle when entering a gas station. He never stopped. In the process I ... A: Yes. Your insurance company will cover the damage subject to your deductible. Also, unless you have ...
Hippa Violation in NJ	8/17/2008
Q: What happen if the Automobile insurance company & Lawyers violates the HIPPA insurance law in new ... A: I have no idea what recourse you have due to a HIPPA violation. Since your attorney seems to be the ...
I need this question answered clearly as possible	8/17/2008
Q: I have a lawyer, but need to have this answer given clearly by someone who I believe can do just ... A: You should request a meeting of the insurance appraiser and the body shop manager at the body shop ...
Underinsured claims when death occured	8/16/2008
Q: My Husbands identical twin was killed on his motorcycle 3 weeks ago by an 18yr old who accidently ... A: I'm very sory for your loss. If your brother-in-law's policy has uninsured motorist coverage on it, ...
Driver At Fault Does not put in his Claim!	8/16/2008
Q: What can i do? when the driver at fault does not put in his claim after more than 3months of ... A: If there is a police report tat shows who is at fault, you should send it to the insurance company. ...
auto claims by subrogation team	8/15/2008
Q: I rented a car about a month ago and there was a crack caused by extreme heat on the windshield on ... A: I can not tell you specifically how to write a letter. You should simply tell the truth. State ...
storage fees and other problems	8/14/2008
Q: Hixenbaugh, I had an accident last February and my car was towed by an autoshop company. I signed ... A: I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. The counter suit fron the auto shop is just to try to ...
help with uk insurance	8/14/2008
Q: I’m looking for someone who can help me? I had a car accident last June were I ran into the back of ... A: I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with UK insurance or ...
Insurance estimates prior to going to adjuster?	8/14/2008
Q: I was hit in the side by a pick up exiting from a parking place in a parking lot. The other driver ... A: You have the right to select the body shop that you want to do the work. You do not have to obtain ...
One car Accident	8/13/2008
Q: In the state of Alabama, an insured motorist caused an uninsured motorist to crash into the ... A: Although you would think so, the reality is that unless there was an independent witness who could ...
comprehensive claim	8/13/2008
Q: I had my catalytic converter stolen from my truck, it was cut off in less than 30 mins while I was ... A: The property management company has no liability in this situation. Yes, you have to pay your ...
please help me.	8/13/2008
Q: greetings, my name is mel and i reside in California here is the situation: i drove my car after the ... A: Well, you didn't really ask a question but I will do my best. First you are responsible to pay for ...
Thinking about suing for wage loss.	8/12/2008
Q: I was in an accident in Minneapolis, MN on March 17 2008. I was driving through an intersection, and ... A: You should be able to receive compensation for lost wages that were specifically due to the ...
HIT BY BIKE	8/12/2008
Q: I was driving home when a bicycle made a left turn in front of me. In an attempt to avoid him I ... A: Based on your description of the events, it sounds like you have no liability. Any calls or letters ...
Axles broke, wheels fell-off accident	8/12/2008
Q: While my wife was on the highway, and the axles broke which caused the wheels to fall off. She lost ... A: No this is not correct. The insurance company does not have to pay to the part that broke, but they ...
Financial responsibilty for an unsured motorist	8/11/2008
Q: I was recently in a minor fender bender where I was at fault and rear ended another vehicle. It was ... A: Unfortunately, you must make the check payable to her directly. Although you are obligated to pay ...
Avg. collision repair cost	8/11/2008
Q: I was at fault in a fender bender collision while driving a Zipcar and they classified the accident ... A: There is no average cost of body work. The cost is in direct relation to the extent of the damage. ...
no police report	8/9/2008
Q: My wife and I were stopped at a red traffic light with a minivan in front of us on 6/22/08. The ... A: Since this has obviously benn reported to your insurance company, there is nothing you can do. Your ...
Small damage repair	8/8/2008
Q: My friend's car was parked and hit by another car. The collision left some damage, nothing major but ... A: I don't understand what difference this makes to you. It's your friends car, his insurance, his ...
Rental reimbursement to person, not rental agency	8/7/2008
Q: I was recently involved in a car accident and the other driver's insurance company has accepted ... A: Unless you actually rent a car from a real rental car company, you will not be paid for a rental. ...
Direct General Claims	8/7/2008
Q: Richard. I live in Ft Smith, Arkansas and has had an accident in March. The insurance company has a ... A: Your body shop should be calling the insurance comapny to request a supplement. The insurance ...
Paying for Rental Car after Total Loss	8/7/2008
Q: I was involved in an accident, which i was not at fault. My car was deemed a total loss. I had to ... A: The insurance comapny of the at-fault person owes you for a rental car from the date of the accident ...
accident,50% my fault sdip surcharge appeal	8/6/2008
Q: I was involved in a auto accident driving out of my driveway one year ago. My surcharge appeal is ... A: It is not possible for me to answer this question. The decision to surcharge is solely up to the ...
policy limit	8/5/2008
Q: I live in Oregon where I had a car accident on October 2006; I sent a demand letter asking for ... A: You should not sign the release form. If you sign the release form you will not be able to pursue ...
Driveway accident	8/5/2008
Q: I know the rules of road and insurance act states that whoever backs-up onto a roadway is at-fault. ... A: The claim rep and the adjuster is the same thing. Your company will defend you if you are sued. If ...
Truck fire and damage to driveway	8/4/2008
Q: I was delivering mulch to my church and parked in an adjacent private driveway to unload the mulch. ... A: This does not sound correct to me either. The only thing I can think of as to why they could deny it ...
Driveway accident	8/2/2008
Q: I know the rules of road and insurance act states that whoever backs-up onto a roadway is at-fault. ... A: Unfortunately, it sounds like everyone has decided you were at fault. You should call your claim ...
Confused	8/1/2008
Q: I bought a used 94 bmw 540i. about two months after I bought the car the transmisson stopped ... A: Auto insurance does not pay for ANY mechanical breakdown issues. The only time auto insurance pays ...
Verifying driver's liability cover	8/1/2008
Q: I have pursued by own claim against the insurer of a driver who caused injury to me. My claim ... A: In most states the other person is not required to disclose how much insurance coverage they have. ...
New car accident not at fault	7/31/2008
Q: My wife was in an accident for it was determined that she was not at fault. The other driver was ... A: Yes. You are entitled to be pad for the diminished value of your car. The amount of diminished value ...
Parked Car Accident	7/30/2008
Q: I'm so glad I found you a few weeks ago and now need your advice! Over the weekend our car was ... A: There are a few websites you can check to determine the average value of your car as follows; 1) ...
Uninsured motorist learner permit driver	7/30/2008
Q: Writing from North Carolina. My niece is a 21 year old learner permit driver of a few months. She ... A: Unfortunately, your neice caused the accident is is ultimately responsible for any damages. Although ...
parking lot accident	7/29/2008
Q: I was exiting a parking lot but, the exit gate would not open. I slowly backed up and was hit on the ... A: You are absolutely correct. The only reason they are trying to apportion some of the blame on you is ...
Medical information release	7/29/2008
Q: I received a medical information release form from the other party's carrier. Hopefully, my ... A: Considering the difficult time you have already had you should speak with an attorney. They are just ...
Car totaled with loan	7/28/2008
Q: I was recently in an accident and the other driver was at fault. My car is totaled and the driver's ... A: The insurance company owes you for the value of your car just befor the wreck, no the balance of ...
Claim against Semi Insurance - Interstate Accident	7/28/2008
Q: While driving the Interstate in a construction zone - a semi lost it's drive shaft and it was laying ... A: So far you have been successfull in getting to a claims department. What you do next will depend on ...
HIPAA compliant form	7/27/2008
Q: I was involved in a car accident. It was the other driver's fault and his insurance is accepting ... A: You are correct. The insurance company will be trying to uncover information about past injuries, ...
forced insurance	7/26/2008
Q: I was in an auto accident in march, and my insurance had lapsed at the time and i was cited for no ... A: What you are referring to is called "lenders single interest" insurance. This is where the bank ...
What are my rights?	7/26/2008
Q: Recently a neighbor backed into my brand new parked car instead of his driveway. He gave me his ... A: You can not ask for a new car. The insurance company is responsible for paying for the cost of ...
auto coverage	7/26/2008
Q: I recentley hit a light pole in a shopping center type parking lot i do not have collision . am i ... A: Unfortunately, if you do not have collision coverage then you have no coverage for this event. It is ...
How to file an auto claim if I have no auto insurance.	7/25/2008
Q: I am writing from the state of Kentucky. I was driving without any auto insurance and I was struck ... A: You should simply call the at-fault persons insurance comppany to report your claim. They will owe ...
Does the name on the car's title have to match the name on the policy?	7/25/2008
Q: My boyfriend and I are planning to buy a car jointly. We are splitting the cost, but plan to put the ... A: Generally no. Since you are not married, the vehicle must be insured in the same name as the titled ...
daughters friend wrecked her car	7/24/2008
Q: okay, we were out of town, our 20 yr old daughter let her "friend" drive her vehicle to the store, ... A: I can tell you have yuor hands full. Yes the little dude is responsible not only for your ...
Neighboor backed into my car, will I get the check or the body shop?	7/24/2008
Q: My neighboor backed into my car overnight. He kindly left me a note and said he would figure it out ... A: The insurance company will likely want to send their own appraiser to inspect the car and write ...
sueing for deductible	7/23/2008
Q: Can i sue the other persons insurance company, and person for my deductible? A: Based on your question, I have to assume that you had your claim paid by your own insurance company ...
Do I have a case?	7/23/2008
Q: Recently, my son totaled my vehicle. He was not included or excluded on my insurance. I did not ... A: The insurance comapny can deny the claim if your son lived in your house at the time of the ...
Comprehensive Claim Question	7/23/2008
Q: Last night,I swerved to keep from hitting a deer in my 05 Honda Civic.i ended up hitting a tree ... A: This will depend on your insurance company. Many companies will not treat this as a comprehensive ...
hail damage ins.co.wants to total it	7/22/2008
Q: We purchased a car a year ago for $5,000 and had so much hail damage ins.co.adjusters wants to total ... A: The decision to either repair or declare a total loss is solely up to the insurance company. It is ...
UIM policy	7/21/2008
Q: Mr. Hixembaugh, In April 2006 I was in a car crash. I was the back seat passenger, my buddy was ... A: Generally speaking, if the medical bills were reduced and the providers accepted a lower amount, ...
Auto liability claim	7/20/2008
Q: I was driving on the toll road and workers who were painting lines accidentally sprayed paint on my ... A: You need to try to reach someone in management at this insurance company. You need to become a ...
hit & run from a stolen car	7/19/2008
Q: I live in NYS. My car was parked in my job parking lot when someone broke into cars and rear ended ... A: Unfortunately, even if the persons insurance was valid they would not pay your claim. An insurance ...
car accident	7/19/2008
Q: my car was hit while it was parked in front of my apt. I was not driving for 2 mths as i was ill. ... A: This is a difficult situation. About the only thing you can do is to contact your county or state ...
Representations from Insurance agent and company	7/18/2008
Q: Another driver hit my rear bumper as I was awaiting to turn right. The other driver who was in a ... A: Unless you sent the information to your insurance company in writing stating that they were not to ...
Representations from Insurance agent and company	7/18/2008
Q: Another driver hit my rear bumper as I was awaiting to turn right. The other driver who was in a ... A: Unfortunately there is nothing you can do. Your agent was wrong. Anytime you report an incident to ...
Truck Crash into Daughter's Bedroom	7/18/2008
Q: Last October (10/20/2007), a truck crashed into my three-year-old daughter's bedroom at ... A: What a story. I'm glad everyone is ok. This is a very difficult thing to try to determine. Most ...
Filing a personal injury claim	7/17/2008
Q: i was involved in an accident about a year ago where i was run off the freeway by a person changing ... A: Yes. There is not a set pattern that must be followed. If you want to you can try several rounds of ...
Car Collision	7/17/2008
Q: I would first like to thank you for taking the time to helping me. To make things simple and short ... A: In most states you can not bring written statements into court as evidence. The actual person who ...
auto claims	7/17/2008
Q: My nephew was involved in an accident recently where he was at fault hitting another car and that ... A: Auto insurance follows the vehicle not the driver. So if your nephew was driving someone elses car ...
Avoiding a total on a collectible car	7/16/2008
Q: Richard. My husband Jim is a Pontiac Fiero aficionado, and his latest, which is his daily driver, is ... A: You have done everything exactly correct. You should refute the CCC report based on your findings. ...
Filing a personal injury claim	7/16/2008
Q: i was involved in an accident about a year ago where i was run off the freeway by a person changing ... A: You should alwasy start high and then negotiate. Do not worry about annoying the adjuster. He/or she ...
auto accident help	7/15/2008
Q: I was involved in an auto accident closing in on two years ago. Unfortunately during a traumatic ... A: I'm sorry you're having to go through all this. You should contact the AZ Bar Association. Check ...
Fire damage to vehicle	7/15/2008
Q: My daughter has a bran new Mini Cooper. She was parked in a garage at work and the car next to her ... A: Unfortunately, she can not ask for a new car. The insurance company is only responsible for ...
liability issue	7/15/2008
Q: I am in Oregon and on Sunday I was driving on a two lane road and a woman was pulling out of a ... A: It's likely too late to contact the police now. Hopefully you obtained the other lady's insurance ...
Parking Lot Accident claims	7/14/2008
Q: I own a Toyota Paseo 93 and recently I have parked my car in the parking lot and when I came back I ... A: This is a tough situation. The only thing you can do is to file a claim with the insurance comapny ...
should I sue??	7/12/2008
Q: I had an accident on private property. I had a lady drive by and said she seen the whole thing. She ... A: Parking lot accidents are some of the most difficult to determine liability. The insurance companies ...
Progressive Auto Claim Settlement	7/12/2008
Q: Is is possible that Progressive Auto Insurance would send an adjuster out the morning after an ... A: Yes. Some insurance companies try to inspect vehicles and issues check in a very short time frame ...
Side-swiped from behind while stopped at a stop light	7/12/2008
Q: My son was stopped for a red light when a pickup truck ran into the back driver-side corner of the ... A: It is not a waste of your time as long as your son makes a good witness. He will have to explain in ...
accused of accident, now they have a witness?	7/11/2008
Q: A few weeks ago I was at a friends house till around 10:30-11:00pm. I left with one of my friends ... A: Hopefully you did not fill in the police report as the police told you. If you did then you just ...
auto insurance coverage	7/9/2008
Q: I am a 45 year old male and my wife is 43. We have a 2000 Camry and live in NJ. I recently had ... A: The simple answer here is you should alwasy buy as much coverage as you have assets to lose. Medical ...
in the pot hole	7/9/2008
Q: i am being sued for a bodily injury law suit against me. the thing is my step daughter took my ... A: Assuming you had insurance at the time of the accident, you need to keep your insurance company ...
My Mercedes was hit and I think it should be totaled!!	7/9/2008
Q: I was driving down the right hand turn lane going about 10-15mph when.....POWWW a Ford Explorer ... A: The insurance company will only total the vehicle if the cost of the claim will exceed 75% of the ...
Market Value and Loss of Use Claim	7/8/2008
Q: My husband was recently rear-ended on his scooter just 2 blocks from our home. The other driver has ... A: The insurance company owes you for the fair market value of the scooter. All vehicles go down in ...
minor fender bender - other party at fault	7/8/2008
Q: My car was parked in a lot when someone else, while attempting to park in the adjacent spot, hit the ... A: Since you do not have collision coverage there is no point in reporting this to your insurance ...
Insurance payout question	7/7/2008
Q: I was rear-ended 3 weeks ago. The insurance company instructed me to have my vehicle inspected, then ... A: You should take the vehicle to the body shop of your choice for the needed repairs. You should give ...
Auto liabilty of family member	7/7/2008
Q: In Texas, my niece lives with me but is not listed on my auto policy for my vehicle. She and I are ... A: Unfortunately no. Your insurance policy requires that ALL licensed drivers in the household be ...
Lane change accident , or was it?	7/7/2008
Q: I am my wits end and I will try to brief as possible. The incident occurred in Houston Texas last ... A: In this situation it is simply a matter of your word against the other drivers word. Since his ...
Take insurance to Small Claims?	7/6/2008
Q: I was in a car accident in October '07 when a car hit me while I was passing through an intersection ... A: No you can not take the insurance company to court. Whenever there are multiple vehicles involved in ...
listed drivers on policy	7/6/2008
Q: Insurance companies ask for the number of people in a household that drive an insured vehicle to be ... A: If the driver lived in the household at the time the policy was taken out and was not disclosed as a ...
liability only	7/5/2008
Q: On last week was husband was killed in an car accident he only had lability which paid 25,000 bodily ... A: I'm very sorry for your loss. The other party can not sue you, but they can sue your husbands ...
Driver changing story for insurance company	7/5/2008
Q: My wife was involved in an accident. She was at a complete stop at a traffic light which was red. ... A: In understand your frustration. The police report is simply a tool. The police office did not ...
totalled my new car	7/4/2008
Q: my girlfriend and i just bought a brand new 2008 Toyota corolla. We had the car for 6 months and had ... A: Not necessarily. The insurance company is responsible for paying you the value of your vehicle on ...
car insurance coverage in alabama	7/3/2008
Q: My ex-husband has bought and insured a car for my 17 year old daughter who does not live in his ... A: All licensed drivers in the household must be listed on the policy in order for there to be ...
Auto insurance to cover all vehicles	7/2/2008
Q: My auto insurance covers occasional drivers, but only if those drivers live in a different ... A: I been in the insurance business for over 20 years and I have never heard of this either. It is ...
Diminish value......	7/2/2008
Q: I was rear ended very badly on May' 08. I was driving a BMW 325i 2006 model. It went for a 12,000.00 ... A: Your vehicle will absolutely suffer a substantial diminished value. For more information on ...
payout from insurance company	7/2/2008
Q: I am waiting for a offer to repair my truck. I was backed into in a parking lot. I was not in the ... A: You are under no obligation to have the vehicle repaired. You can simply tell them that you will ...
What is right and/or legal?	7/1/2008
Q: My sister was recently in a car wreck which was not her fault, got witnesses, she only had liability ... A: The insurance company of the at-fault person owes your sister for the fair market value of her car. ...
Auto Accident Two Years Ago	7/1/2008
Q: Just over two years ago, I was involved in an auto accident where the other driver pulled an illegal ... A: Do not worry about the expense of the attorney. Any costs that your insurance comapny incurs will be ...
no fault car accident	6/30/2008
Q: I was in a car accident, when I approached a 4 way stop and stopped at the stop sign a car to my ... A: When it just comes down to his word against yours, an insurance company will always take the side of ...
Insurance coverage	6/30/2008
Q: I just recently got my license and thinking about getting a BMW 325ix. My dad currently owns a ... A: The insurance company will rate the highest risk driver in the household on the highest risk vehicle ...
auto accident	6/30/2008
Q: Two months ago I was rear ended by a flat bed freightliner truck.Im injured,3 bulging disc's,1 ... A: I'm so sorry you are going through all of this. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not advance ...
Adding 16 Year old to the policy.	6/29/2008
Q: My 16 Year old daughter just got her license. We just bought a new car and had the old car set aside ... A: Most insurance companies will require that the highest risk driver in the household be rated on the ...
Collision fault when hit from behind	6/28/2008
Q: I was driving on a narrow 2 lane road with no shoulders with 2 yellow no passing stripes when ... A: Unfortunately, there is not much of an appeals process in insurance claims. It is solely the ...
insurance theft claim	6/27/2008
Q: My car (2001 corvette)was stolen on 1-31-01, i have cooperated with my insurance company (phone ... A: Theft claims can be very frustrating. The insurance company always starts from the position that you ...
parking lot accident in Texas	6/27/2008
Q: My fiance backed into a sports car in a parking lot last month. He looked through his mirrors and ... A: Since your fiancee was at fault he is responsible for all damages, costs and expenses related to the ...
Parking Lot Collision	6/26/2008
Q: I was in a parking spot in a 3 tier parking lot. I was about 5 cars from the left entrance and 20 ... A: Unfortunately, parking lot accidents are the most difficult to determine liability. However it is ...
hit by boat trailer	6/26/2008
Q: My car was hit by a boat trailer on 6/14/08 in AZ. My car was parked w/ left rear door open while my ... A: You will have to go to court ant tell your story. Show your pictures and have your friend testify. ...
insurance coverage	6/26/2008
Q: I am 22, from Toronto, and need to get insurance for a vehichle my dad owns..i was wondering what's ... A: You should contact several insurance companies and or independent agents to ask for a quote. You ...
car accident while parked	6/25/2008
Q: My Honda odyssey 2005 was hit by a car while it was parked in my own property. Now that driver's ... A: It is solely the insurance companies decision to repair or total the vehicle. It will only be ...
Final Insurance Offer	6/25/2008
Q: and thanks for any help. We live in CO. I will try to keep this brief. Wife, 2 yr old son, and I ... A: Negotiating a bodily injury claim is as much about strength of will as it is the meritts of your ...
car hits gas meter	6/24/2008
Q: By the way, I am the plumber!!! A car wipes out a roadside gas meter. Gas gets shut off at the ... A: This is a tough situation. The only thing you can do is to try to escalate the claim to a claims ...
Three car collision, front car	6/24/2008
Q: My name is Janine and I was involved in the three car collision on June 17. Mine was the first front ... A: Unfortunately, since noone has any information on the guy that caused the accident, you will have to ...
Insurance Co. dragging feet	6/23/2008
Q: I was involved in an accident over two months ago. After filing with his company, the other driver ... A: Two months is a long time. Most states require that claims be paid or denied within 30 days. You ...
Vehicle Rearended, Now Being Accused of Backing Up	6/22/2008
Q: I was rear-ended on 4/11 while picking up a child from school. As no damage occurred to my vehicle ... A: You will have to appear in court. If you know the judge and attorny are friends, at the start of the ...
My parked car was hit by a drunk driver	6/21/2008
Q: In the middle of the night an elderly lady crashed into my parked car. The CHP had my car towed ... A: No it's not right. They absolutely have to pay any towing and storage charges. You need to call ...
Diminished value claim for minor body damage to vehicle?	6/20/2008
Q: My parked car (2008 Toyota Rav4 base model 2wd with after-market sunroof and roof rack, 4200 miles)) ... A: If the police came to the scene of the accident and wrote a police report, the accident history will ...
Direct Line - Claim procedures	6/19/2008
Q: Few days ago my car was stolen, police found it. My car was in Dragon Ltd it's some company which ... A: You need to stay on top of the insurance company. Call them everyday if necessary. The insurance ...
automobile accident settlement	6/19/2008
Q: I wrecked a friends 2003 Ford Ranger Edge and the insurance company only wants to give him $5500. I ... A: There are a few websites you can check to determine the average value of your car as follows; 1) ...
NJ Cure Auto Claim Denial	6/18/2008
Q: 4 weeks ago my 2001 Acura MDX was broken into and vandalized.They destroyed the entire interior of ... A: Most auto policies do exclude commercial use. Some policies will allow you to add an endorsement for ...
I had an accident, now what...	6/18/2008
Q: On 6-14-08 I got into a minor accident, when I fell asleep at the wheel while coming home from ... A: Your insurance company will send someone to inspect your car and assess the damage. If the cost of ...
if/when to involve a lawyer in auto insurance claim	6/17/2008
Q: I was a pedestrian hit by a car and have a fractured tibia. Driver accepted responsibility in the ... A: Hiring an attorney will not change the type of care and treatment you receive from your HMO. Once ...
Salvage Yard	6/17/2008
Q: Richard, Hi, I made the mistake of buying a car recently from a very unprofessional used car ... A: To start with you can purchase a CARFAX report. If there was a police report of the accident it may ...
Accident Coverage- Another Drive Drove Car	6/17/2008
Q: I have two questions regarding this issue. I let my friend borrow my car to drive me to the ... A: Unfortunately the insurance company is correct. The two estimates should be combined to determine if ...
Re: Car Accident	6/16/2008
Q: Am I "at fault"? This happened last week. I was driving at less than 40miles an hour. It was ... A: I'm sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, this is considered to be at-fault. The law requires ...
Who is responsibile for auto bills and can we be liable for at fault persons medical bills	6/16/2008
Q: My 17 yo daugher was in an auto vs bicycle accident yesterday with a 13 yo boy in the state of PA. ... A: You will have to get estimates of the repair cost to your vehicle. Then you would contact the boys ...
Car Insurance	6/15/2008
Q: I am 19 years old and I have gone through a couple of cars in the last few years. They have not been ... A: It is true that when you go to buy auto insurance, one of the qualifying question is did you have ...
How to go to an umpire?	6/15/2008
Q: My insurance sent me a check based on its inaccurate estimate after an accident. The insurance does ... A: o it is not usuall unless you have a lienholder. Then the insurance company must protect the ...
Auto insurance in Florida	6/15/2008
Q: Mr. Hixenbaugh; My daughter, age 22 with no claims history, just moved to Naples Fl. ... A: The only company I would recommend would be Amica Insurance Company. They are very hard to get into ...
Car Totaled	6/13/2008
Q: My girlfriend, totaled my car-which is actually my father's car, she was not on the policy. What ... A: Provide the shortest truthful answer to each question. Give her actual address. State that she is a ...
No Insurance and at Fault	6/13/2008
Q: My daughter in law had an accident in the parking lot of a mall. She was not cited since it was ... A: Your daughter has the right to ask for copies of all of the documentation pertaining to the ...
What if a police report is not accurate?	6/12/2008
Q: I was in an automobile accident and was hit by the other driver running a red light. I was in a VW ... A: You can try to contact the police officer to see if he will revise his report. You may even try ...
How to go to an umpire?	6/12/2008
Q: My insurance sent me a check based on its inaccurate estimate after an accident. The insurance does ... A: If you ar dealing with your own insurance company there is a clause in your policy called the ...
Accident case brought to Small Claims and still asking to sign a waiver	6/11/2008
Q: I got into an accident about 6 months ago, the resulting 4 car accident ended up with no one taking ... A: Even though you won the judgement against the person, it is his insurance company that will make the ...
Policy Limit Disclsure	6/11/2008
Q: Mr. Hixenbaugh- My girlfriend was recently in a minor traffic accident where she bumped a pedestrian ... A: Neither you or your girlfriend should have any contact with the other persons insurance company at ...
diminish value -how to file?	6/10/2008
Q: My folks were recently in auto accident (not at-fault) but the at-fault party only purchased the WA ... A: In this situation there are very specific steps that must be taken to be able to make a diminished ...
Reconstructed title.	6/10/2008
Q: I am thinking about purchasing a vehicle in Oregon that already has a reconstructed title from ... A: When a vehicle has a reconstructed title it will generally have a value that is about 50% of a ...
auto insurance coverage when driving other car	6/9/2008
Q: my son had an accident while driving his freinds car. He had been given permission to drive the car ... A: Unfortunately you can't blame an animal. It's always someones fault. They may try to say he was ...
auto insurance coverage when driving other car	6/8/2008
Q: my son had an accident while driving his freinds car. He had been given permission to drive the car ... A: Generally, you can loan your vehicle to anyone and they are covered. I don't understand why your son ...
auto vs bycicle	6/7/2008
Q: ..we reside in florida. yesterday, my wife was slowly making a left turn on a 4 lane road when the ... A: With the bicyclist receiving a citation and witnessess indicating that it was his fault, I do not ...
car insurance	6/6/2008
Q: I currently have an SUV with a carloan balence of 6,000.00. I would like to keep this vehicle ... A: It is possible for someone to take out insurance on your car. However as the titled and registered ...
Pro Review Board in P.A.	6/6/2008
Q: Richard, I requested a review board to look at my case again regarding my medical claim, because it ... A: Unfortunately, I am not specifically familiar with the review process in PA. I would think that who ...
Other party refuse to respond to filed claim with their insurance company	6/5/2008
Q: On 5/20, a guy backed his truck into our vehicle in a parking lot. He was apologetic and promised he ... A: This is a hard way to learn that no matter how nice someone seems, always call the police. Yes, ...
Some Questions	6/5/2008
Q: Can two brothers be listed as the named insured on a car insurance policy if one of both of them is ... A: Here's the way it works; All licensed driver who live in the household where the vehicle is located ...
Quality Repairs, Recourse or Scam	6/5/2008
Q: I was in an accident three weeks ago. I'm not completely sure what happened as I hit my head and ... A: Generally, a vehicle is only totaled if the cost of repairs exceeds 75% of the value of the vehicle ...
am i liable	6/4/2008
Q: i was makeing a left hand turn in to a pulloff, and i had my signal light on, and there were two ... A: I'm sorry you're in this situation. You need to continue to reject there offer of split liability. ...
1912 Studebaker	6/4/2008
Q: Have a fire damaged 1912 Studebaker EMF Flyer 30. Insurance co estimates cost to repair at ... A: You are absolutely correct. You should present your logic to the insurance company. Although it is ...
total loss with appraisal	6/3/2008
Q: I am going through the driver at fault's insurance company to have my car fixed. They are claiming ... A: You should ask the body shop that you selected to complete an estimate. You should also visit ...
hit parked motorcycle	6/3/2008
Q: My husband hit a parked motorcycle while backing out of our driveway, he went to the house where ... A: Tell the guy he will have to provide you with photos of all of the damaged parts or bring the bike ...
Auto insurance (deductible)	6/3/2008
Q: My insurance company paid the auto body shop ($XXX.00) for repairs on my vehicle after I submitted ... A: Here's the way it works. If your repair cost is $1500.00 and you have a $500.00 deductible, your ...
My car was flooded and I am concerned about the process.	6/1/2008
Q: My car was recently flooded at my apartment while I was out of town working. I estimate the water ... A: First of all, you need to cancell your extended warrantee and get a refund of as much as possible. ...
accident while parked	5/31/2008
Q: My son and some friends were parked scattered around in a park after the prom and when they all ... A: You should send a certified letter return receipt requested to the friends parents demanding that ...
third party insurance claim	5/31/2008
Q: My car was rear ended, I have written estimates from auto shops that I have chosen. Their insurance ... A: Of course that have a right to dispute your estimates, they are the ones writing the check. However, ...
auto accident	5/30/2008
Q: ..My husband and I had a serious car accident 3yrs ago with our American friends .A young man feel ... A: I'm sorry for your situation. If the at-fault person had only minimal coverage, it would seem that ...
Coverage	5/30/2008
Q: I just recently purchased a new vehicle and I have not yet had the insurance transferred to my new ... A: There should be a section in your policy for "newly aquired vehicle". It states that you have ...
Strike fraudulent claim from record	5/29/2008
Q: A fraudulent insurance claim was filed on my insurance. There was no police report of the alleged ... A: You will need to contact your state insurance commissioners office and file a formal complaint. You ...
Who is Correct & What To Do	5/29/2008
Q: Our 2000 Honda Accord (100mi.) was hit on the drivers side Dec 26 2007. The other vehicle speeding, ... A: Unfortunately I am not a transmission expert. In these situations it is very difficult to get the ...
Fraudulent Insurance Claim	5/29/2008
Q: I went to get a quote on auto insurance and found that a family member's accident is on my record. ... A: This is an unusual situation so it is hard for me to know what to tell you. You should call the ...
liability for minor	5/28/2008
Q: My former wife (Mother) has physical custody of my 16 year-old daughter, we share legal custody. A ... A: Unfortunately, this question is regarding very state specific DMV regulations and liability laws. ...
Accident While Unauthorized Driver Of A Rental Car	5/28/2008
Q: My question involves insurance law for the state of: Tennessee My friend rented a car (when he was ... A: Neither you nor your friend were owners of the car. Your friend rented a car and he did not have ...
Auto Hail Claim	5/27/2008
Q: I own my vehicle free & clear and received significant hail damage this past weekend on my truck in ... A: You can get an estimate from where ever you chose to. However the insurance company has the right to ...
Accident While Unauthorized Driver Of A Rental Car	5/27/2008
Q: My question involves insurance law for the state of: Tennessee My friend rented a car (when he was ... A: Unfortunately, I do not know of any way out of this. You had an accident that was your fault driving ...
Tree branch	5/26/2008
Q: I live in a multifamily dwelling and there is an old tree rooted in the neighbors back yard with ... A: You can first try the neighborly approach by knocking on your neighbors door and advising him of the ...
accident in leased car	5/25/2008
Q: I was rear-ended while driving my leased vehicle. Although the damage is minor, it does look like ... A: You do not have to report the accident to either the police or the insurance company. You should ...
Stolen Car Left in a Lake	5/23/2008
Q: My car was stolen and after stripping the thief dumped the car in a lake. The state police had it ... A: Unfortunately, you are responsible for the tow bill. However, if you have comprehensive coverage on ...
Not happy need help	5/22/2008
Q: I have a quick question about an accident i was recently in if you could help. I was driving in my ... A: Unfortunately, you would have been better off to hit the dog. Without proof of an animal hit an ...
Strike fraudulent claim from record	5/22/2008
Q: A fraudulent insurance claim was filed on my insurance. There was no police report of the alleged ... A: In essence, this was an attempt at identity theft and insurance fraud. You should contact the policy ...
Does the accident record go to the claimant or vehicle owner?	5/21/2008
Q: My husband and I are covered by the insurance. I am the vehicle owner, but my husband got the ... A: You are actually talking about 2 different things. The insurance company comunicates with and pays ...
Flooded Lincoln	5/21/2008
Q: My 2006 Lincoln Signature series town car was in a flood caused by bay flooding on the New Jersey ... A: This is the usual tactic used by insurance companies. If the flood was fresh water it is not as bad ...
His or Mine	5/21/2008
Q: I was involved in an accident that was not my fault. My insurance company offered to take care of ... A: Going through your insurance company will not affect your premiums as long as you are not at fault ...
Rental car after claim	5/20/2008
Q: I was told that the liable company would only pay for a rental auto in the state of Texas for in the ... A: No. The at-fault person or their insurance company owes you for the cost of a comparable vehicle ...
Open Driver Side door Impact	5/19/2008
Q: I was parked and in the process of exiting my car on the driver side, when a car hit my door and ... A: This will be a very difficult situation. It is considered to be your responsibility to be sure no ...
damage to trailer contents without an accident	5/17/2008
Q: while towing 2 motorcycles, one fell over and damaged the other. the damaged bike belonged to the ... A: The driver is the one responsible for his own damage. As the driver of the vehicle he is responsible ...
Sue an insurance company	5/17/2008
Q: I am a bicyclist who was rear ended by Ford Explorer last October. The driver was ticketed by the ... A: Insurance companies often try to place proportional blame so that they can save money. In most cases ...
Does the accident record go to the claimant or vehicle owner?	5/17/2008
Q: My husband and I are covered by the insurance. I am the vehicle owner, but my husband got the ... A: For insurance purposes, the check is always issued to the vehicle owner. If the accident was your ...
FLORIDA DIMINISHED VALUE	5/16/2008
Q: I ve been looking around and preparing my self to go against an insurance corporate to claim DV in ... A: Insurance companies will often try to deny dimisinished value claims in hopes that you will just go ...
Total Loss?.... or Truck Theft? (continued)	5/15/2008
Q: Sorry, this is a lot of lead in.. about time and expense...but I'm getting very confused. I don't ... A: Yes it is ok to the insurance comapny to include the towing and storage. They should also take into ...
Auto Insurance Claim	5/14/2008
Q: My son's car was sideswiped while parked near his home in a Boston suburb. On a separate occasion, ... A: The insurance company can not hold back money until you have the repairs done. They can only ...
Auto Accident	5/14/2008
Q: My daughter was backing from a school parking space after given the "go ahead" by another driver. ... A: You are not wrong. If your story is acurate they should both pay half. You will need to call the ...
Liability of Underinsured Motorist Coverage	5/14/2008
Q: Greetings, My family and I were struck head on at 60 miles per hour on Christmas day around 7:PM by ... A: I'm sorry for your situation. Laws vary from state to state. Some states will allow you to collect ...
Total Loss?.... or Truck Theft? (continued)	5/13/2008
Q: Sorry, this is a lot of lead in.. about time and expense...but I'm getting very confused. I don't ... A: WOW! That was a mouthful. This is a typical way that insurance companies handle claims. Their goal ...
Parking lot accident	5/13/2008
Q: I was hit by a backing up nissan pathfinder today at a mall's parking lot. This is what happened. I ... A: Parking lot accidents are some of the most difficult to determine fault. Each of you will provide ...
Pain and suffering entitlement	5/13/2008
Q: I was in an auto accident about 5 days ago. It was a head-on collision. I was going about 35 mph ... A: Pain & Suffering payments are generally based on the total cost of your medical bills and lenght of ...
Auto accident settlement	5/12/2008
Q: I feel out of a truck in 2001 and was hospitalized for months and had a traumatic brain injury. ... A: I'm sorry for your situation. Unfortunately, if you signed a release form at the time of the ...
financial responsibility for accident	5/12/2008
Q: My son is having a problem both insurance companies refusing to pay and is being sued by the other ... A: Unfortunately, there are too many unknowns here for me to properly assist you. All I can say is that ...
Neighbor's Car Hit My House	5/11/2008
Q: My neighbor's car hit my house 3 weeks ago and the adjuster for their insurance company gave an ... A: The easiest way to handle this is to file the claim on your own homeowners policy. Then they will ...
Claim Paid out but check written to both myself and leinholder	5/11/2008
Q: Oct 5th my ex totaled my car while returning to pick me up for work. I currently had no ins on the ... A: This is a situation with many moving parts, but I will do my best. It appears that USAA paid the ...
other insurance says not enough info to determine who's at fault	5/10/2008
Q: I was involved in an accident in which I hit another car that pulled out of a drive way and began ... A: Since you and the other driver have conflicting stories, they will waite to get the police report to ...
Can I choose to leave the damage without repair?	5/10/2008
Q: Is my insurance still obligated to pay for my vehicle damage if I chose to leave the damage without ... A: Generally the insurance company will pay based on their own estimate. Then only if the car is ...
Too late for diminished value claim?	5/10/2008
Q: I live in Chicago Illinois. Back in 2006, I purchased a MINI Cooper S brand new for $25,000. 2 ... A: Yes. You can still make a claim for diminished value. Your claim would be against the at-fault ...
bike vs car accident	5/9/2008
Q: My 90 year old father was riding his bike attempting to cross the street and was hit by a young ... A: I hope your grandfather is doing ok. Medicare will initially pay the medical expenses but may ...
Auto insurance claim	5/9/2008
Q: I was returning my rental car and backed it into the parking place. I was a little off and the ... A: You would have to write them a letter stating your arguments. You should ask them to provide you ...
Sue for Auto Damages	5/9/2008
Q: I have a 1992 Honda Prelude Si that is black and has low miles and is dent/scratch free and has been ... A: You will likely need to find an independent vehicle appraiser who will research the value of your ...
sueing	5/8/2008
Q: How do i get another auto insurance company to pay for the damage that their customer did to my car? ... A: Sometimes insurance companies can be very slow to respond. You just need to call every day until you ...
Insurance claim limiations	5/8/2008
Q: My son 3 weeks ago while pulling out of a parking space, rub the bumper of our Ford pick up truck ... A: There is not a specific limit on how long she would have to file a claim on her own insurance. ...
auto accident	5/7/2008
Q: i was run over while riding my motorcycle, what is the time frame on setting a case to the other ... A: The statute of limitations is different in each state. Generally, the statute of limitations is ...
19 year old with car and insurance	5/7/2008
Q: Our daughter lives with us. She is 19 and recently bought her own car and her own insurance. ... A: Auto insurance follows the car not the driver. So your daughters insurance would not provide ...
Hit and run	5/7/2008
Q: I drove my daughter to school everyday. But today is really my bad day, I was in a line going ... A: Even though you do not have the plate number, you should still try to file a claim with the business ...
Fender bender	5/6/2008
Q: I have a younger sister (16) who was involved in a no fault accident according to the police and a ... A: Just let the insurance company assess the damage. You should point out that there was some minor ...
Can I choose to leave the damage without repair?	5/6/2008
Q: Is my insurance still obligated to pay for my vehicle damage if I chose to leave the damage without ... A: You are not obligated to repair the vehicle. However, if you are dealing with your own insurance ...
Do I need a lawyer?	5/6/2008
Q: Hixenbaugh, I was involved in an accident June of 2006 and am running out of time to settle with ... A: The statute of limitations in most states is 2 to 4 years. If it is 2 years in your state you need ...
accident in my work parking lot	5/4/2008
Q: i just got done with work and was walking to my car. got in , took a few minutes to find my sun ... A: Any time you are backing out of a parking space, you have the greater duty to be sure you have a ...
Maryland and contributory negligence	5/3/2008
Q: I was involved in an intersection crash in Maryland. I had the stop sign but could not see because ... A: You can file the claim with your own insurance company. If they feel you have a case, they may file ...
dispute with insurance company	5/3/2008
Q: I'm from Canada, Alberta. In March 2008 I left a parking lot at the eastside of the store of a gas ... A: Situations like this can be very difficult. Since you do not have collision coverage, do not expect ...
totaled car	5/2/2008
Q: I was in an accident where the person who hit me caused $7,800 in damage to my 2006 PT Cruiser with ... A: As I said, if you don't like their offer then send them the info you found and try to negotiate. The ...
Uninsured Motorist Coverage	5/2/2008
Q: My car was totaled by a 20 year old (confirmed in the police report to be uninsured and no drivers ... A: If you have a deductible on your uninsured motorist coverage then you have to pay it. However the ...
auto accident	5/1/2008
Q: Mr. Hixenbaugh, My husband and i were rear-ended at a stoplight about a month ago. The driver was ... A: In m