Auto accident claim help.. Geico?
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Here's a suggestion from a very old claims adjuster. If GEICO has accepted 100% liability for the accident process the claim through your own company.
Your own company should treat you better than somebody else's company. Going through your own company should be easier. Ask them if they have a "preferred body shop" close to you. That way you take the car to that shop, they write the estimate and send it to your company.
Your company will pay you for the damages less your deductible. My guess is that you don't want to pay your deductible and then wait to get reimbursed, which can sometimes take months. I would suggest that you cal GEICO and if they are accepting 100% of the liability ask them to pay your deductible to you "upfront". This way you don't have to wait for the deductible to get reimbursed. GEICO has no legal obligation to do this but I have done it hundreds of times during my career (never worked foir GEICO thouigh) so I know it can be done.
Good Luck
That doesnt seem right. They should be sending someone to you. See if you can get an estimate from someone close by and fax it to them. The accident wasnt your fault, you shouldnt have to lose any money on this. Stand your ground and tell them they will either have to come to you or see you after work.
They can't force you to do anything. Contact your insurance agent and get some advice from him/her on what to do. Depending on the state you live in there are can be some very strict rules as to what an insurance company can ask of you to do. I know in Ohio they cannot dictate where you go for any repairs and estimates, but I'm not certain about your state. Also your state's attorney general will have information on possible actions and restrictions. They should have a website (I know the one here is good and rather responsive to emailed questions). If they continue to try to muscle you into something contact an attorney, it may cost you nothing for an attorney to consult with you and talk to Geico for you. Contact your local BAR association for more info on attorneys.
File the claim with your insurance company and let Geico pound sand. You'll have to come up with your deductible possibly but that's it, and it will be reimbursed by Geico.
Tell the Geico rep that you are doing THEM a favor by keeping your insurance company out of it and if they won't send an adjuster then they can deal with YOUR insurance company's assessment of the damage.
You can also tell them that there's no way that you're driving your car that distance in the condition that it's in. Tell them that you'll be happy to take it to a the local body shop of your choice for an estimate and have it sent to them directly; that's very common practice
You might also tell them that you'll go to the media about the shabby treatment and poor service that is contrary to their advertising claims.
Not much I can answer more than what the first person said.
I can say that any attorney can tell you about his/her fees for something like this, and whether or not they will come out of the money for repairs or out of what you get paid. He/she may also advise you that you can ask for compensation for time lost from work - including that needed to get your car inspected and appraised.
You have a right to demand that they send someone out to inspect your vehicle due to the distance involved in traveling to one of their inspection sites. Speak to a supervisor if your claims adjuster is being unreasonable, and if that supervisor is being unreasonable, go to their manager, go all the way up the chain until you get them to agree to send an adjuster out. They do have adjusters that can go inspect vehicles, they are only trying to save money. You could always file a department of insurance claim as well if they are being extremely unreasonable.
OR.. you could go through your own carrier - and just have them reimburse your deductible, so you do not have to pay it out of pocket.
I had an accident with Geico as well, they are an EXTREME hassle to deal with. It was one of the most unpleasant experiences of my life. So, good luck.
I dont think you mentioned how much the damage was. If it is less than the max at your local small claims court, then I would take the other driver to small claims court. It's very inexpensive and you dont need legal representation. If the other person calls you asking why you are taking them to court. Explain to them that this is you only option as Geico refuses to pay. Bring 2 or 3 estimates to court with you. If/when you win, the judge will award you the lower of the 2 estimates so make sure they are both pretty high.
I had the something similar happen to me. Lady hit my car, admitted fault, but allstate said that the accident was 30% my fault and would only pay for 70% of my damages. I told them I wanted 100% and a rental car. They said no. I took the woman to small claims court- the insurance co has to represent them in court. Once she got the court papers she called her insurance company and they then called me and offered me 90% of my damages. I said "nope, see you in court"... they called 2 days later and gave me what I wanted since they know they would lose in court.
Good luck!
Good lord... does the insurance company look like god? like they can magically make everything better?
This is an ACCIDENT.. it is a PAIN.. and the insurance companies cant magically solve everything.
Go cry to your attorney... they cant do a thing. all the companie owes your for is repairs and rental.. they cant magically come to your beckoning call because god forbid it causes you an inconvenience.
Grow up- and drive to the shop. Your lucky they are being so quick with determining liability and are trying to help you out here.. why do you have to be such a pain?
Oh yea, i forgot.. your the one whos committing FRAUD by having them fix the damage for two accidents at one time.. and then complaining about everything they do..
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