car accident question

[NetWareHead]

Quick question about car accidents:

Situation: I was walking back to my parked car after work and noticed that somebody slammed into the front bumper cauing thousands of dollars worth of damages. The guy was nice enough to leave a note admitting to it. I called the cops anyway and got a police report. The guy who hit me was called back to the scene of the accident and was questioned by the police.

Question: When my car goes in to the shop to get fixed, I will have to rent a car for probably 2-4 days while the work is done. Im looking at 40-60 a day and higher just for the rental. I dont think I should be responsible for these fees. i intend to ask this guy to cough up for me having to rent a car. Is this out of line? The police report will be ready tomorrow but I am confident that the blame will be entirely placed on the other driver. Also, I will not be able to receive compensation from my own car insurance company for car rental (i declined this when I opened up the policy), which is why I want to go after him. Also, if he declines to pay, will a small claims court see it my way and order him to pay for the rental? Thoughts?

 

[BoomerD]

IMO, you're screwed for the car rental costs, until you settle the claim down the road. Your insurance company MAY be able to get them to cover the costs for you, but not likely. THAT'S why YOU add it to YOUR insurance...

 

[NetWareHead]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
IMO, you're screwed for the car rental costs, until you settle the claim down the road. Your insurance company MAY be able to get them to cover the costs for you, but not likely. THAT'S why YOU add it to YOUR insurance...

Well, I don't need car rental coverage in the event that I am at fault in an accident. But this is a case where my car was damaged while it was parked and I was not even driving it. Plus I'm positive the accident will be entirely his fault

 

[alien42]

rental fees should be covered by your insurance

 

[BoomerD]

Doesn't matter. If YOU don't have the coverage for it, YOU will have to pay it out of pocket most likely. Insurance companies aren't usually in the habit of "doing what's right", unless they're forced to...nasty stuff like that cuts into their profits, ya know...
HOWEVER, I DON'T know NJ law, so you MAY be able to get them to cover rentals...not in Kahleeforneeya for sure, but NJ is a different state, and your laws may be more liberal...

 

[NetWareHead]

Well whatever the situation is, I will still call up the guy and ask him to cover my car rental fees if his insurance won't. I am seriously considering small claims court if he refuses.

 

[santz]

I am not sure, I never mix up my rental insurance with my car insurance. I always pay the extra $10 per day to get a separate insurance for the car so as to not hike of my real insurance if the rental car is met with an accident. This is precisely the situation.

Your insurance will probably cover it, but was not paying $10 rental insurance once worth it that your real insurance costs will be probably higher now every month, that is the question?

good luck anyways! let us know what happens!

 

[NetWareHead]

Originally posted by: santz
I am not sure, I never mix up my rental insurance with my car insurance. I always pay the extra $10 per day to get a separate insurance for the car so as to not hike of my real insurance if the rental car is met with an accident. This is precisely the situation.

Your insurance will probably cover it, but was not paying $10 rental insurance once worth it that your real insurance costs will be probably higher now every month, that is the question?

good luck anyways! let us know what happens!

I think youre talking about 2 different things. When I said I never got the car rental coverage, I mean that my auto insurance policy (for my own car) has an extra rider (or whatever its called) where in the event of an accident, car rental fees can be covered. I think your talking about the extra insurance fee you can purchase (from the car rental place) when you rent a car.

 

[bctbct]

Everytime I was in an accident where it was the other drivers fault, I contacted the other persons insurance and they made arrangements for the rental. Its cheaper for them, and you avoid having to get paid back.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Just get his insurance info and a copy of the police report, citing him 100% responsible. If NJ isn't a no-fault state, then it shouldn't be too terribly difficult to get his insurance to pay for your rental. It'll take a lot of leg-work and phone calls on your end though.