My car was totalled

[protege]

You tried being nice. It's time to play mean with them.

Insurance companies don't give a rat's ass about what's right. They are *not* your friend--they only care about their bottom line. Get a lawyer, and have him/her lean on them. Even if you don't actually sue them, having a lawyer on your side can help.

Some of you remember that I cc:ed a lawyer when a certain Bridgeville (PA) garage ripped me off. Basically, they charged me for work that they didn't do, lost some of the parts, and half-assed some of the repairs. I could prove that the car shouldn't have passed its state inspection test, but had a current sticker on it.

I had all the documentation (and this is important) of dates and times I made calls to the owner, when I went over there (and the owner was "out to lunch" (yet his car was in the lot), bills, my notes, and other data...which came in handy. All of that was put into a strongly-worded letter, which was then run past one of my dad's friends...who happened to be a lawyer, with an office just around the corner.

I was at the point of going over there with a bat, and sending a message. I tried to be nice and polite about it. But, after constantly getting the run-around, the bullshit excuses (seriously, 3 weeks to install a fucking bumper?), I'd had enough. I don't take kindly to getting ripped off.

When my dad handed the owner the letter...the color went out of his face as he was reading it. Seems he understood that not only could I prove that he'd ripped me off...but I could have made some *major* difficulty for his garage if I chose to. The state doesn't take fraud--especially with motor vehicles--lightly. He could have lost his inspection license, along with his reputation.

I know that's not quite the same. But, having a lawyer on your side can help greatly.

[bhskittykatt]

I have a consultation with a lawyer tomorrow. Hopefully he can help.

[Sunshine]

Good luck!! And update please...will be thinking good thoughts your way

[EricKei]

As has been said...

I'm glad you are all in one piece, even if the car is not.

Document EVERYTHING! Every call, every chat, everything. Time, date, whom you spoke with (get an agent#/ID# if you can), what was said.

A lawyer will help -- but don't count any chickens before they hatch. Until you have gotten a check in hand and it's cleared the bank, act as if nothing will be coming your way.

As for a time period? I got rear-ended last May, fooking up my back and neck and it's still not done (I have had more than one job app rejection for what is likely that reason -- it's a potential "this could interfere with work" condition, so I have to mention it up front...at which point, people's eyes immediately begin to glaze over, leading to "Don't call us, we'll call you."). Got a lawyer started on the case that same day, tho it took a while to get off the ground because the guy who hit me was not 100% honest with his personal info -- he had insurance, he just didn't want his rates to go up. As of a month ago, they were "close" to a final settlement ... Calling them again this week to get an update.

[bhskittykatt]

So Hubster called the other guy's insurance and they actually called him back. Of course I was out. They were supposed to call me back 1 minute ago. We shall see if they call me today.

I actually just got off the phone with my own insurance. They hadn't even been able to track down this other guy's podunk-ass insurance. I at least managed to get the claim agent's contact info and a claim number from the phone switchboard person. So they will finally be able to follow up now as well.

UPDATES:

So the other guy's insurance called me back and I gave them my statement. He said he didn't call me sooner b/c he didn't have my contact info (BS...I left multiple voicemails with my callback number). Anyways they're sending an appraiser so they can see for themselves that my car is totaled. The appraiser called me today and was on his way. I'm glad things are finally moving on that front, since I really don't want a citation for "littering -- abandoned vehicle". They should at least tow my car to their own no-storage-fee lot while everything gets sorted.

Other Guy's insurance apparently hasn't been able to contact Other Guy. They've tried multiple ways to contact him. They didn't even know he was arrested for DUI. Somehow the claim had been opened, though.

The attorney says that as of now, my claim is small enough for me to handle on my own but I'm welcome to consult with him later if stuff gets worse. Both him and his secretary were impressed by how organized I was (I had a nice big stack of all pertinent paperwork). He advised I find a doctor to follow-up with. I will be doctor-shopping next. (I don't have a primary care physician, though I really ought to...the attorney said this is a great way to develop a relationship with one. Yeah, I get the hint.) He also gave me tips for negotiating with the insurance companies.

So that's where I'm standing right now.

I'm just relieve the other guy's insurance finally got in touch with me. I was starting to wonder if they were even real...