Accident - both drivers have same insurance.

[Tom W]

My son just totaled my car, the other driver was at fault. I and the other driver have State Farm insurance. Is this an advantage or disadvantage to me? My son is going to be very sore for awhile, airbag and seatbelt bruises, my grandson (6yrs old) has a busted lip that requires quite a few stitches.

My son was going about 30mph (Kia Optima) and a Ford pickup turned directly into him and hit him headon. Thank goodness it wasn't worse.

Any advice in dealing with the insurance Co. ?

Thanks, Tom

 

[KevinSmith]

Call state farm in another town and pose as a potential customer. Ask a "hypothetical question" detailing this scenario because it happened to a "friend". You never know what info you can uncover when they are trying to sell you something. Dont back down and if you need to contact your state office incharge of insurance. Gd luck

 

[HOBrian]

Sound advice, it never hurts to check.



Glad to hear everyone is ok!!!!

 

[Skydiver]

Tom W.

Document Every Single thing. Take plenty of pictures. Try to communicate in writing instead of verbal. Don't sign anything until you and your son are completely made whole. Back injuries show up later ,a known fact.



The fact that the same insurance company is used makes NO difference to you or a jury . This is a minor awkward inconvienence.



They will try to offer you a quick settlement .



Don't talk to the other party. PERIOD... .

It would be to your benefit to know the other parties liability limits of coverage. 10/20/10 is almost no good. 100/500/100 might make you whole. Most Doctors carry 500/1M/500. Why? So they will not lose there land if at fault.

Might want to PM me. Oh yea, Did you have any witness's ?



If you call State Farm in another town don't use your home phone. Caller ID . Chances are they might be following this thread allready. You have allready given the type vehicles involved. Keep the cards on your side of the table. Be quite and don't talk to anyone you can't trust.

Good luck to you,your Son and Grandson.

 

[Gene Arnold]

I've had State Farm for more than 25 years. I don't really like it but I can't beat it overall (coverage, price, etc. ). Many years ago my daughter was hit by another vehicle that had State Farm. They make a big deal about waiving the deductible when another SF insured is involved and this is true. HOWEVER, (I still get mad when I think about it) I lost my claim-free status for four years and my increased fees were much more than the deductible would have been! It was the other driver's fault but that made no difference to SF. I raised cain with them, all to no avail. I have no way of knowing if they still have the same rules.



Gene

 

[BigPapa]

I had a young man hit my house once. He was insured by the same company that insures my auto's and house. Everything went very well. I think it actually went better and quicker because we had the same insurance. I am involved in a claim right now with State Farm. It's been OK but it could have been better.



Thank God everyone's still alive.



Scott

 

[DodgeWarlock]

Don't agree even verbally to anything until you're satisfied with everything. Don't sign anything until you've double-checked everything. Be fully prepared to get your own lawyer (specifically one who has no prior dealings with State Farm). They are looking for the cheapest way out that meets their legal obligations. Your agent may be your friend, but the adjusters and underwriters serve only the company. If another insurance company was involved you would probably be better off, because they could pass off some or even most of the claim to the other insurance company.

 

[jeepit]

Some companies will waive the deductibles if they insure both vehicles.

 

[Tom W]

Thanks for the replies. There were several independent witnesses and the driver admitted he was at fault. Officer ticketed him and talked to witnesses. So far everyone is OK except grandson has eight stitches and can't eat. Will let you know more later.

 

[Tom W]

I have been thinking about what I need to get. As the owner ( not involved in the accident ) ,

1 - Retail value of the car ( $7500 ) plus taxes and title.

2 - Value of two child car seats ($100 ) Two grandchildren were in the accident.

3 - Rental car $ Actual



4 - Medical bills $ Actual



Son and grandson should get some pain and suffering amount.

Granddaughter was uninjured.



Have I missed anything?

How is "pain and suffering determined?

 

[Skydiver]

Tom W

Did you get your PM?

 

[Tom W]

Got it Skydiver, Thanks.

 

[Rotty]

well, I have state farm also and had an accident (their fault) with another person having state farm. Just document everything. It turn out alright for me. Starte farm at first balked, but having exact details of what happend including times conditions, etc they treated much different (better).

Treat them as no different if you were insured by different companies.

Also make a journal on exactly what happened, times, speeds, where it happened, etc. Even if you can tell the exact cause and events leading up to the crash.

You may be asked several times what happened, and if you have a journal, you can have the exact same story every time.

I am glad to hear that their were no severe injuries.

Good luck.