Insurance help- someone hit my parked car!

Hey everyone, hoping I can get some insight into how to deal with insurance as I have never filed a claim in my life.


Situation:

My 4Runner was parked on the street when a neighbor’s car parked in a driveway on a hill rolled backwards into me(idiot did not set the parking break or keep his manual in gear). Most of the impact seems to have been a direct hit to the wheel.


Damage:

· Front bumper is scuffed up pretty bad, hanging points appear broken.

· Rim is scratched

· Centercap is busted

· When taking it for a drive, the steering wheel is off center and it does not drive straight- kinda drives jumpy. I just had it aligned a few weeks ago and it drove perfect before.


Status:

· I did not want my insurance involved, so I contacted my neighbors and filed a claim. They had me submit pictures of the damage, and offered me $600. I assume that is just because they cannot see the potential suspension damage. They said once it’s in a shop and they get more info, they can always add it to the claim.


Questions:

1. First off, damage wise, I am most concerned with the suspension; could the upper control arms be damaged? Lowers? Tie rod ends? Steering rack?

2. Am I correct that it’s a bad idea for me to get my insurance company involved and that it should go through theirs?

3. They are saying they wont use OEM parts; can I demand OEM parts to be used in the repair? This is especially important for me when it comes to suspension components.

4. Can I just get a check cut for the total damage and fix it on my own?

5. Related to #4, let’s say the $600 is for the body damage, can I take it to a shop, have them check out the truck and verify suspension issues, revise estimate, have them fix the suspension issues then get a check for the body damage? (Considering an aftermarket bumper).

 

I'm confused. Your neighbor was at fault, so it's only reasonable for their insurance to cover the damage.

Then you consider again filing with your insurance??

 

So your neighbor hit your truck? If so let your insurance deal with theirs to resolve the problem. Their insurance should pay to fix your truck.

Your insurance company will go after theirs. Or you can get their insurance info and just let theirs handle it.

 

Considering that the cheapest deductible I've ever seen is $500 (that would be if you used your insurance), I say you should get your neighbor to pay for the damage to your 4Runner out of pocket if they are actually admitting responsibility. That way their rates won't go up because of what is basically a minor fender-bender...

 

Mine is $200 collision and $50 comp. Before I switched to this company it was $0 and $0.

 

Yes I filed a claim with my neighbor's insurance company instead of my insurance company. Never did I say i was considering filing with my insurance.

The neighbor does not have cash out of pocket for repairs and wanted to go through insurance.

 

Sorry...I misunderstood. Don't involve your insurance company at all.

 

A adjuster from your neighbors insurance should come out to view the damage on your truck before any money is offered. They will also take photo's of the damage.

 

What's your company? I have USAA, and my deductible is a grand...

I was hit by a drunk driver back in 2015 and the asshole blatantly lied to his insurance company so USAA ate the cost of fixing my Tacoma (almost $3K in damage, waived the deductible, and didn't raise my rates. The only reason I have full coverage on my 8-year old truck is because I'm paranoid about having another encounter with a lying scumbag...

 

Sorry I misunderstood too...

If your neighbor is taking responsibility and knows you're contacting their insurance company, then what is the problem?

 

No problems yet - really what I am trying to do is confirm
1) I am right in going through his insurance
2) Can I demand OEM components?
3) Can I accept the shop to fix certain components, then get a check cut for the balance of things? In other words, can I have a shop fix the suspension issues then get cash for a new aftermarket bumper?

 

What year is your 4Runner? If the claim is on the insured's vehicle and the vehicle is older than two years, then my insurance company (USAA) cuts costs by using aftermarket parts if they are available. This where I got screwed when the drunk guy hit me, because while the repairs did not cost me anything, I now have a generic knockoff rear bumper instead of a Toyota OEM one.

 

$600 is a lowball from your neighbor's insurance. I would just go thru your insurance company. You are not at fault. You will have to cough up your deductible, but your insurance will go after the neighbor's insurance to reimburse you. Filing a claim with your insurance will not be a ding against you for a "not at fault" accident. Don't know who you have, but I had Statefarm and was rear ended a couple years back.
As for the non oem parts, I wouldn't take that... The body shop I went through says they only use oem parts and will work with the insurance to get oem parts. My wife's Camry bumper was replaced with an oem even though the insurance told me that they only cover aftermarket. The body shop I went to showed me the oem parts that came in before he started the repairs. So, don't settle for crap parts or lowball offers. Don't take a check from them either because you will not know what's wrong untill they tear down the suspension.

 

1) yes
2) yes
3) maybe. Talk to the shop and see what you can work out. My shop would be cooperative.

 

I'm with ALFA now and before was with State Farm.

 

B

Never heard of ALFA.

On a side note...

I doubt many people on TW, if any at all, can top my story of scumbaggery on the part of an insurance company!

 

ALabama Farmer's Association. Only available to residents in AL. Dropped my payment fee by $30 month with the same coverage. Only difference was they didn't do 0 and 0. When I got my new Tacoma it went down another $8 a month.