Question
Connie ,
A month ago I was unfortunate enough to be involved in a accident with a auto . Although no citations were issued , the auto was said to be at fault per the police . I notified my physical insurance to give them a update but figured the auto's would be paying . My insurance requested 3 estimates ? So o.k. , I get 3 estimates , all 3 range from $3,300 to almost $3,600 . I got this later yesterday wanting me to fill out these forms and they were going to send me a check for almost $700 less than the lowest estimate . Then they would go after her insurance . Now figuring that the estimators know more about what is required to fix the damage than someone sitting half the continent away does , ( they have photos ) , what gives with this ? All 3 estimates were basically fixing the same things , including painting the repairs , but on a copy of the lowest that they returned to me , the painting is reduced to almost nil .
Any ideas on how I should proceed ? I sure am not going to settle for less than the lowest . Should I be considering hiring a lawyer ? Any help would be greatly appreaciated .
Fred H.
Answer
What's your deductable? Keep in mind an attorney is going to be about $125 an hour and I don't know of very many attorneys who work an hour and quit.
Keep the faith.
Mike
Answer
Mike ,
I have rather a high deductible , ( $1,000 ) , which I do not mind paying that part , but then to be shorted another $730 on top of that for minimum amount of repairs especially by my own insurance seems kind of odd . I know I am at least going to wait for the final police report , ( last I heard was Oregon is fairly slow with these , anywere between 30 to 90 days ) , then if that is in my favor , I will contact the other drivers insurance . Since no citations were issued , blame is not official until that final report . Just seems that if you pay for insurance , your own insurance should at least cover the lowest estimate minus the deductible . I guess OOIDA is not all they are cracked up to be . Time to start looking for someone better .
Thanks and Happy Safe New Year to You , Your Family and Friends .
Fred H.
Answer
Fred,
Sorry to hear about your accident, but please don't run off to an attorney yet. You have some options.
First, you did the right thing by getting the estimates. Is one of them from the garage you want to do the repairs? If so, good. If not get an estimate from the garage you want to do the repairs. Then notify your agent that you want them to get an "agreed price for repairs" from the facility.
Second, once you've committed to work with your insurance carry, follow through and cooperate. They will do the work at going after the responsible party on your behalf.
Third, remember your deductible of $1000 will be deducted from the agreed price. The deductible will be your responsibility.
Then finally, if the other party is shown as negligent on the police report, discuss recovery of your downtime with your agent and ask for advice in preparing a downtime claim.
Fred, if you care to discuss this further, you can reach me at my office.
Connie
Answer
Well , after 2+ months , we finally received the official police report . Basically shows other driver losing control , me doing everything possible to avoid , etc..... .
My wife talked with other drivers insurance , then faxed them a copy of the police report ( they had not received it either ) . Waited 2 weeks , then called him back . He is gone on vacation ! Another agent asks if he can help . Wife explained the situation and he replied he would find the file and get back to her . 2 hours later he called back , said we would have a check by the first of this week , ( which we did get ) , for the full amount of the high estimate from Freightliner dealer here in town . He also explained to her how to get down time pay for the time the truck is in the shop .
Estimate and shop figure 5 days for repairs , so running like crazy this week and next then truck goes in on the 18'th .
My wife was amazed at the difference between 2 agents that work at the same place . I was amazed at how long it took Oregon State Police to put together a report . So I get a new headlight assembly , new air dams , new bumper beams and new paint on the hood . Time for a vacation anyway , steelhead are running in the rivers here , so time to lose some fishing tackle .
Fred H.
Answer
Fred,
Sounds like things are going to work out for you and that's good.
Being in the trucking business is similar to playing football...
You (the quarterback) have to make the decisions for the way YOU want this business to go, the center (your accountant) will give you the financial "handoff" to make the decisions that will best benefit you. The right guard (your attorney) and the left guard (your insurance agent) are going to provide the defense so important and key to keeping this business on the right track.
A close working relationship of these 4 is absolutely key to a successful operation. Developing those relationships takes time and effort. Always make sure your team is on your side and you call the shots.