Car insurance claims, problems, ?

Question

Recently a woman in my apartment complex ran into the front right side of my car while it was parked. She did a pretty good amount of damage to the body and when I went to drive it, it was overheating and smoking and there was a puddle of fluid on the ground. It is an Acura Integra 2000 and has never ever had a single problem with the engine or fluid leakage. In Feburary I had the car in for it's 100,000 mile maintenance mark and put about $2000 worth of maintenance and tune up in it. The car has been in the shop since the lady hit it a few days ago and they are now trying to say the radiator damage was not caused by her hitting me and they will not pay for it, they are saying it was old and bad, even though there was nothing wrong before ( the car is only 8 yrs old) and it seems like the mechanic who did the maintenance wouldn't have minded tacking on another couple hundred to my tab and fixing a bad radiator. A supervisor from my insurance is calling tomorrow, and I do have full coverage so I need to know how to fight this.

Answer 1

Definitely fight it.  The insurance companies use these tactics all the time. If necessary have your mechanic contact them and tell them that he just went over the whole car and it was in good working order. Don't cave in if you know you are right.

Answer 2

Discuss with your local agent first. Ask for his/her advice about this problems. This is the best tips for mine and hope work fine for you too. I ask my local agent to talk with my car insurance company about my problems - and all clearly now.

Answer 3

Have you discussed this with them? I'm assuming if they have an opinion as it not being related to the accident that they can tell you _why_ they think this. Go from there.

Answer 4

Have you even looked at the radiator? Eight years is about all the life you get out of a modern, plastic tank radiator. If there is a worn/split area on the tank or neck then it's a sure bet it was too rotten to even be removed without falling apart.

Answer 5

Just to clarify- insurance doesnt go looking for ways to get out of paying. I know i know that sounds laughable.. but i sware. Ive worked at two major companies and neither has EVER said to me "hey- tell the customer its wear and tear and see what they say so that we can get out of it!"

That being said- alot of people try to take on extra repairs and take advantage of the situation when there car is hit.  Im not saying you are-  im just trying to tell you where they are coming from.  There are certain ways they could KNOW it wasnt related... lets say the other damage from the accident didnt come near your radiator.. and your radiator was heavily rusted.

Sometimes regular maintenance just happens to come along right when something else like this does.  You said yourself that your radiator wasnt touched at this latest tune up.. its been 8 years.. maybe its time!

Im not saying your right.. im not saying they are right.  Im just saying you need to listen to their reasoning and they need to do the same.  How about you suggest taking it to an independent body shop for a 2nd opinion? that body shop has no reason to lie and will tell if they feel its related or not.   Again- please just be reasonable and 99% of the time unless you get a dud... your adjuster will too.

Answer 6

The shop thats fixing your vehicle has to assist you and advise the adjuster this is accident related.  Otherwise, if they don't you'll have to pay for the teardown to prove it.