Minor fender bender on Taco and Insurance bullshit

I recently backed into a guardrail because Google Maps had taken me down a private road which wasn't posted until I came to a key code gate. The road was narrow and on a decent grade of a hill that was very windey. I did by best to back up this long hill and when I came to the top, hit the guardrail at a very slow speed. Well, it fucked the bumper up and made a small dent on Panel.

I call my insurance, they inform me that I don't have rental coverage on my policy. I tell them that I should, and they say "We have rental on all policies unless someone asks for it to be removed. Because I have to go through an extra step to remove it.". I never asked them to remove it. It's only 34 dollars a year. I would have never in a million years done that. But they aren't relenting.

This is pissing me off because I know that I never asked them to remove it and my truck has been in the shop for 8 days now and I'm paying out of pocket for this rental. Why on earth would such a small repair take so long? And is it worth it for me to try to fight for the rental money back?

 

They may be waiting on parts to come in? Do you have any paperwork showing the details of your insurance coverage?

 

What's there to fight for? Every policy i've ever bought states what the coverage areas are on the policy and id cards

 

they should have record of who removed rental coverage and when it was removed. you can also check your previous bill to see if policy details is on there.

as for repairs, they're probably replacing everything and waiting for parts to come in and get painted then installed.

 

I never went through the entire policy. I just assumed it was on there. Because every insurance I've ever had I've had rental. That was my fault, I should have went through it. But they are telling me that I specifically told them I didn't want it when I made the policy. I never told them to.

 

I experienced this too with mine too when I needed it. I thought I had it nut when I called in to use it, I was told it wasn't included. Lesson learned for me at that point to always read my policy docs at each renewal.

 

I talked to the guy who removed it. Here's what he told me "I don't have a memory of doing it, but we put rental on all of our policies unless the customer specifically asks to have it removed. Because I have to go through an extra step to remove it.". Again, it's $34 a year for rental. I made sure I covered all of my bases when I set the policy up. Medical, Full Tort, etc. I would have never told them to take off rental so I could save 4 bucks a month. That's ridiculous.

I think they just tried to slide this in to save themselves money. I should have went through the policy, but that was my fault. This is a major insurance company and I trusted them. And they gave me the best price. I also have my homeowners through them too. But after all of this, I'll pay a little more and switch to a company that isn't shady.

 

bingo....no need to be mad at anyone but yourself.

ask the shop to pre-order any parts and commit to a target date it will be done.
And if they miss it, have them pickup your rental till it’s done

 

I work at a body shop. This is what I deal with daily and then the customer (you) gets a survey bombing and blaming everyone else but yourself for this situation.

Repairing a vehicle after collision is a difficult process, not just an oil change. Parts have to be ordered, need insurance approvals. Your truck is not the only vehicle in the shop.

I feel for you on the rental situation. I hear it almost every day someone does not have rental coverage.

 

Probably your only fighting chance. Ask what the additional steps are? And if it involves signing / paperwork?

 

I'm not pissed at the shop. I'm pissed at the insurance company.

 

It’s the guardrail’s fault, suit it!

 

ask to hear audio recording if done over the phone. my insurance company has these phone calls recorded or if i update the policy electronically they send me an email confirmation.

my insurance company is in the dog house right now as well but for different reasons. if they don't resolve my claim to my liking I will definitely be shopping around with other companies. that's our power as consumers.

 

I am in the same boat with mine. Ivhave so far paid $310+$150 sec deposit totaling $560, than ehen they changed date from Monday to Friday for repair i put another $182 on the rental. Shop has had mine since the 8th of Oct. The required repairs were front passenger door replacement, running board replacement, rocker panel repair, and dent removal in rear passenger door. First they said 1wk, than 1wk 3d, than 2wk, now 3wk 3d. If I add rental coverage will they reimburse my rental cost? Though my truck is 2nd gen.

Sam

 

If you read my post, I did blame myself. And I'm not "Review bombing". I havent written a single review in my life. And I understand parts need to be ordered. I took the truck in 3 weeks ago, and they scheduled me an appointment to bring it in the following week since they had to order the parts. Im not a prick, and I know things aren't as simple as they seem. They called me on wednesday to tell me that the parts were being painted, and then get assembled after that. They sent me a survey today asking for me to review them. They should probably wait until I get it back.

 

Awesome. Most shops can't stand the insurance co. either.

 

Do they record these conversations always? Is it law?

 

Actually he blames googlemaps for taking him down the wrong road. First line. Remember?

Personally I would’ve went with shitty backing skills but blaming google is good too...

 

Curious which carrier this is.
Most insurance companies don’t automatically include rental coverage, let alone promote it.
It’s a huge looser for them. you could have paid for it for 10yrs and not even paid enough to cover the cost for this loss.

 

i don't know if it's law but it's my insurance company's policy to record every conversation i have with them. i've never had to actually request the recording so i don't know if they would ever give me a copy but it's worth a shot to see if your company could with you.