FAQs on Motor Vehicle Damage
When your vehicle is damaged in a vehicular accident, you will
want to have it repaired and on the road again as quickly as
possible.
Who decides where it is repaired?
You can decide where your vehicle is repaired. The insurance
company decides how much will be paid for the repairs, and it
may not be the same amount as the repair shop estimate.
Will the repair shop charge me for storage?
The insurance company of the person who caused the accident
will pay towing and storage costs, according to what is reasonable
in your area. If the vehicle is declared a total loss, the insurance
company will pay to have it moved to a salvage or wrecking yard.
If you do not allow the company to move your vehicle, you will
be liable for any storage or towing fees.
Who decides if my vehicle is repairable
or "totalled"?
The insurance company who is liable for payment
can decide that your vehicle is not worth repairing. If the
cost of the labor and parts exceeds the market value of your
vehicle, the company can declare it a "total loss" and pay
you the market value. Market value is determined by the fair
market value of similar vehicles in your area, or from an independent
source such as the Kelley Blue Book. If you want to keep the
vehicle after it has been declared a total loss, you will have
to pay the salvage value to the insurance company.
Who pays the bank loan if my vehicle is financed?
You are still liable for any loans on the vehicle. If the fair
market value of your vehicle is less than the outstanding loan,
you are still required to pay the entire amount of the loan.
Do I get a rental vehicle while my vehicle is being
repaired?
You can always get a rental vehicle if you are willing to pay
for it. If you want the insurance company to pay for it, while
your vehicle is being repaired or replaced, then payment depends
on several factors. If you caused the accident, check to see
if your own insurance coverage includes rental vehicles. Many
policies do not include rental vehicles unless it is specifically
stated. If the other driver caused the accident, then you can
expect the liable person's insurance company to pay the costs
of providing you with a rental vehicle. The vehicle will be a
substitute for your own vehicle, that is, a vehicle of similar
quality. Be sure to check with your own insurance company about
insurance coverage on the rental vehicle.
I just paid for my license plates. Do I have to pay
for new ones?
The insurance company should pay the prorated amount of any
registration fees that are unused, as well as transfer fees for
the new registrations.
What You Need To Know:
Insurance companies' obligations are to their stockholders
and policy holders, not to the people injured by their insured's
negligence. Insurance companies' desire to maximize their own
profits provides them with every motivation to try to deny your
claim or pay you the very minimum amount that they can get away
with. The insurance companies also have enormous advantages:
they have immense wealth, armies of experienced adjusters and
lawyers and years of experience reducing and denying claims.
At the Law Office of Stephen A. Burroughs,
our only obligation is to you, our client. We will use our experience
and every resource available to protect your interests, and we
will work hard to help you receive the full value for your case.
We will advise you every step of the way to help you avoid any
mistakes that could cost you money. There is no charge for attorney's
fees until you recover money for your personal injuries, and
we will also help you resolve your property damage claims for
no fee whatsoever. For assistance, call today at 1-877-300-3773, contact
us or submit
an free online case evaluation.
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