Auto claim 6 months after accident

[PennaRacer]

We were in a fender bender 7 months ago. Very low speed rear-end, our fault. At that point both parties didn't find damage and we both drove away without taking pictures or full exchange of info.

Now, 7 months later the other party has come back for a claim. Showing damaged body panel, tail lenses, and bumper.

Aside from the fact we should have taken pictures (lessons learned), our insurance company is taking the other party's word that nothing else happened to their car in those 6 months.

Similar to driving a rental car off the lot without inspecting it, if you return with damage (even if you didnt cause) then you are liable.

Shouldn't my insurance company be working for me to push back on damage that is excessive compared to the actual incident? I feel the insurance company is just trying to close the claim.

 

[adjusterjack]

Shouldn't my insurance company be working for me to push back on damage that is excessive compared to the actual incident?

It would, if you had evidence to back up your version of events.

When you hit the car in front of you the presumption is that you damaged it. Without evidence to the contrary the presumption sticks. Your insurer is not doing anything wrong to you.

Get a dash cam and google what to do when you have an accident.

 

[Allen Trent]

Lesson learned

 

[scagnt83]

Shouldn't my insurance company be working for me to push back on damage that is excessive compared to the actual incident? I feel the insurance company is just trying to close the claim.

With what evidence?

You failed to report the incident. And failed to provide any evidence of what the damage was/wasnt.

(you are technically supposed to report even if no damage occurs, then you are at least on record about what happened at the time)

You have admitted to the insurer that you were involved, and caused, the accident. So they have no legal recourse for the claims that are being made by the damaged party.

Do you have any witnesses? Security cameras that still might have footage?

It has nothing to do with "closing the claim". They would love to not pay the claim.... but legally, they have zero recourse to do so because the situation was not handled responsibly.

 

[marindependent]

At that point both parties didn't find damage and we both drove away without taking pictures or full exchange of info.

Mind Boggling. What did you just share auto insurance documents? Phone Numbers?

 

[PennaRacer]

I get that we didn't handle this well. No phone numbers were exchanged. I understand the comments above. But for instance, you have a low speed rear-end end. Then 6 month later the other party claim frame damage... not really on line w9th the interviews.

So I am putting together some evidence pushing back on some of the estimate. I can't say nothing was damaged.

 

[Allen Trent]

I get that we didn't handle this well. No phone numbers were exchanged. I understand the comments above. But for instance, you have a low speed rear-end end. Then 6 month later the other party claim frame damage... not really on line w9th the interviews.

So I am putting together some evidence pushing back on some of the estimate. I can't say nothing was damaged.

any idea how they located you if you didnt exchange info?

 

[scagnt83]

any idea how they located you if you didnt exchange info?

They likely took a picture of his plate. Thats the first thing I did when someone backed into me in a parking lot. I was in the car taking pics just in case they drove off.

 

[NY independent]

I am going to take a different approach here. You should remind your claim adjuster that the possibility exists that the other motorist was involved in a very recent accident with someone else (maybe hit and run, or no insurance?) and wants you/your carrier to pay the damage.

 

[PennaRacer]

I am going to take a different approach here. You should remind your claim adjuster that the possibility exists that the other motorist was involved in a very recent accident with someone else (maybe hit and run, or no insurance?) and wants you/your carrier to pay the damage.

An update on my situation. After 3 months of going back and forth, and providing 3 documents showing how the damages could not have come from our car, our insurance company reduced the overall claims to under $1000 and stated it is now non-chargeable. So our rates won't go up.

I saved the insurance company $2,300 but it took hours and hours of convincing. My insurance agent said he has never seen a reconsideration work during his career. A win for data and common sense!