I loathe uninsured motorists

[Sho'Nuff]

Dear Lord, this year sucketh. Please send better luck soon. Alternatively, strike me down and put me out of my misery now.

Sincerely,

Soxfan

Bullet point notes:

* Got rear ended in our 2009 Murano LE on February 29, 2012. Wife was 9 mos pregnant with our daughter ( who was later born with VSD, as some of you know). Person who hit us was uninsured, but insisted that he could cover the damage. Cops were called and they recorded an accident report

* Called our insurance company. Car repairs totaling $3000 were made (rear lift gate had to be replaced). Had to pay $500 deductible to insurance company.

* Insurance company has been trying to receive payment (including our $500 deducitible) from the uninsured motorist for 6 mos now, with no luck. Turns out the guy who hit us is a disabled Vet who has no money. So much for his promises to pay.

* Kicker - contacted car dealership recently to ask for trade in value of the Murano (I want a vehicle with some decent towing capacity). Dealer informed me that the accident bumps the car condition down to "fair," despite the fact that the damage was repaired and was for the most part superficial. Without the accident, car would be worth $4000 more in trade.

* Summary - Looks like I'm going to eat $4500 for someone else's mistake.

 

[SunnyD]

Whatever your complaint, just remember, it could ALWAYS be worse.

 

[KB]

I hate them too. They often get nothing but a small fine, but since they have no money they don't pay the fine but just keep driving anyway. They have often lost their insurance because they are bad drivers in the first place so they are more likely to hit you.

Dealership will find anything to discount your trade-in. Try to negotiate a higher value on your trade-in when buying a new vehicle or try to sell it yourself on craigslist. Or donate it to charity if you feel inclined.

 

[Number1]

Why do you tell the dealer you had an accident ?

Why would it be better if the guy had insurance?

 

[Azraele]

How is your daughter doing btw?

 

[swanysto]

I feel your pain.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Sell your car yourself. I've never understood trade ins myself, except maybe for elderly folks who just don't have the ability anymore. You'll get more and it's not that difficult. Put a fair price on your car and it'll be gone within a week.

 

[overst33r]

Why do you tell the dealer you had an accident ?

Why would it be better if the guy had insurance?

They would have found it anyway tracing the VIN. He had a police report done, once that happens, it's out for Carfax/autocheck to pick up.

 

[BoomerD]

I consider myself pretty lucky. I was rear-ended twice in March.
The first one was pretty simple...we pulled over and exchanged information, his insurance handled everything very professionally.

The second one, while driving the rental car provided while my car was in the shop for the above accident was a hit & run. (I had gassed the rental and was on my way to turn it in) Fortunately, a witness followed the guy and got some decent pics of his truck. It took a while, but they finally identified the legal owner of the vehicle...but not the driver. Turns out the owner had insurance. Just the legal minimum liability...which wasn't enough to cover the cost of the repairs, but it was enough for me to get my deductible returned. My insurance company now has to go after the owner for reimbursement for the other $3000.

 

[Corporate Thug]

one of those judgment proof situations...sucks.

 

[ShawnD1]

* Kicker - contacted car dealership recently to ask for trade in value of the Murano (I want a vehicle with some decent towing capacity). Dealer informed me that the accident bumps the car condition down to "fair," despite the fact that the damage was repaired and was for the most part superficial. Without the accident, car would be worth $4000 more in trade.

* Summary - Looks like I'm going to eat $4500 for someone else's mistake.

Someone bumped into my car and caused superficial damage. I NEED TO SELL MY CAR IMMEDIATELY AND BUY A NEW ONE.
*value is down*
WHY DO THEY OFFER LESS WHEN THEY KNOW I AM DESPERATE TO SELL?

 

[Gigantopithecus]

* Insurance company has been trying to receive payment (including our $500 deducitible) from the uninsured motorist for 6 mos now, with no luck. Turns out the guy who hit us is a disabled Vet who has no money. So much for his promises to pay.

First, sorry.

To the part I quoted, you can sue in small claims court for this and most states have loser pays rules so it won't cost you anything when you win. If the guy is truly a deadbeat (who gives a shit if he's a disabled veteran - that doesn't excuse lawbreaking), you won't see your money, but it'll be one more thing on his record so if/when he really fucks up, he'll stay behind bars longer. Ideally.

 

[Theb]

Why would it be better if the guy had insurance?

Step 1: send me a check for $500

Step 2: explain what you learned.

 

[ShawnD1]

Step 1: send me a check for $500

Step 2: explain what you learned.

He doesn't have $500, but he can sell you his level 85 night elf hunter Legolazz which is easily worth 50 hours of play time

 

[alkemyst]

They would have found it anyway tracing the VIN. He had a police report done, once that happens, it's out for Carfax/autocheck to pick up.

And if asked "was the vehicle involved in an accident", the only honest thing to do.

Lying about accidents and the like is the same as not carrying insurance.

You want someone else to pay.

 

[olds]

pics of wife?

 

[Raduque]

Here in Texas, if you don't have insurance, cops take your car. Maybe your license, too.

 

[SS Trooper]

OP I wouldn't be surprised if your premiums go up too. But that depends where you live. Just a warning, sorry for your bad luck.

 

[Svnla]

I feel your pain, OP. Been there, done that.

The last time it was a girl who hit my vehicle while it was parked and ran away. I did have to pay $250 ded and $250 for car rental while it was in the shop.

$500 out of my pocket for something I did not do. At least I did have comprehensive insurance or I would have been out of $3000.

Here in Texas, if you don't have insurance, cops take your car. Maybe your license, too.

Did Dallas County commissioners stop that law? Or it is still in effect now?

 

[alkemyst]

OP I wouldn't be surprised if your premiums go up too. But that depends where you live. Just a warning, sorry for your bad luck.

Can you qualify your statements a bit more?

 

[jme5343]

pics of wife?

This question never gets old.

 

[jupiter57]

Sell your car yourself. I've never understood trade ins myself, except maybe for elderly folks who just don't have the ability anymore. You'll get more and it's not that difficult. Put a fair price on your car and it'll be gone within a week.

^^ This.
Nothing against you, OP, but I have spent enough time around dealerships, Used car lots, and have had a couple of car salesmen in my family.
One sure thing: no matter what they tell you they are giving you for your trade-in, you would be lucky if you are actually getting 50-75% of what they tell you! (It is typically less than 50% on older models)

Don't believe me?
Ever wonder why your "trade-in" is priced less on the lot than they "gave" you for it?
They are certainly not selling them at a loss.

 

[alkemyst]

^^ This.
Nothing against you, OP, but I have spent enough time around dealerships, Used car lots, and have had a couple of car salesmen in my family.
One sure thing: no matter what they tell you they are giving you for your trade-in, you would be lucky if you are actually getting 50-75% of what they tell you! (It is typically less than 50% on older models)

Don't believe me?
Ever wonder why your "trade-in" is priced less on the lot than they "gave" you for it?
They are certainly not selling them at a loss.

time is money bro.

Many of us don't really give a shit.

 

[mmntech]

First, sorry.

To the part I quoted, you can sue in small claims court for this and most states have loser pays rules so it won't cost you anything when you win. If the guy is truly a deadbeat (who gives a shit if he's a disabled veteran - that doesn't excuse lawbreaking), you won't see your money, but it'll be one more thing on his record so if/when he really fucks up, he'll stay behind bars longer. Ideally.

I agree. Sue. The accident was his fault and him telling you he would pay constitutes a verbal contract. I'm surprised the insurance hasn't taken him to collections.

 

[Zenmervolt]

...you can sue in small claims court for this and most states have loser pays rules so it won't cost you anything when you win. If the guy is truly a deadbeat (who gives a shit if he's a disabled veteran - that doesn't excuse lawbreaking), you won't see your money, but it'll be one more thing on his record so if/when he really fucks up, he'll stay behind bars longer. Ideally.

I agree. Sue. The accident was his fault and him telling you he would pay constitutes a verbal contract. I'm surprised the insurance hasn't taken him to collections.

I doubt very much that he could sue in small claims court. The OP's insurance policy certainly includes a subrogation clause in which the OP assigns his right to sue over to the insurance company in exchange for the insurance company paying out for the accident. The insurance company then has the right to sue the negligent party in the OP's name in order to recoup their payout (and to reimburse the OP his deductible. If the OP were to sue also, the negligent party would be subject to double liability.

Now, if the OP doesn't have diminished value insurance, there's a possibility that the OP could sue only for the alleged reduction in trade-in value, but chances are that the OP would have to actually have traded in the vehicle and suffered the loss in order to have standing. Generally there must be an actual injury and not merely a hypothetical one in order to have standing to sue.

ZV