Well, we are toadless for the time being. Last week on my way to work a lady ran a stop light and we collided. My new 2014 Ford focus that I had since December was totaled. Going through the pains of dealing with her insurance to get a settlement. Hopefully in the next day or two, we will have it.

OUCH!I hope no one was hurt. The car looks bad, but it did what it was designed to do--kept an intact passenger compartment & absorbed the impact.Hope you get a hassle-free settlement.

Sorry to hear that... Probably yaking on the cell phone...Being the other parties fault should go good for you in short order.Roy Ken

Hope you have better luck than I had, dealing with another insurance company, had a woman rear end me in Richmond, she admitted that she was on her cell, (before all the new laws came out). Dealing with her insurance, (Travelers) was a nightmare. Took forever.

Everyone is ok...I had some air bag injuries (minor), bruised knuckles and i'm still a little sore. Luckily there was a witness behind me (that works for the Police Dept) that saw her run the red light. Unfortunately, it took them until Tuesday to get with the witness (playing phone tag) and confirm the story. The other lady of course said she had the red light. The insurance company (National General), finally claimed liability for it Tuesday afternoon and finally got me in a rental. Their loss specialist contacted me and was gonna give me some numbers, but she didn't have all the correct info on my car. She had it as having all standard equipment which it didn't. I told her I had the window sticker and I scanned it amd emailed it to her. She said it would definitely help. I am still waiting to hear back from her. She did say that it would take the number to a level more than what she can authorize and have to get management approval. We'll see... I'm gonna get screwed on it. Only made 4 payments so far. And no, I didn't pay for gap insurance.

Glad you are ok, for all out there the gap is worth it, second toad we had was 3 months out of the dealership, merging from 905 to I-10 North in San Diego, guy running from the border and being chased by CBP and Highway Patrol hit me 2 times sent me and the toad to center divider, totaled toad we had the gap that paid the outstanding balance and that allowed us to get a new toad, lucky me I had procrastinated in installing the base plate, installed the base plate in new identical toad. By all means get the gap insurance, you never know what idiot is lurking around.navegator

Toadless | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

wbwood
Explorer
May 25, 2015
We actually are making out a little better. The pay off changed overnight and we will be out about $12. I looked over several sites and dealer retail value on my car was about $17k at the most. They are paying about $1500 more than that and that payoff amount includes my extended warranty, which I will receive a prorated portion of.

Right now, I am evaluating what kind of car I want to get. I have the chance to make a change. I looked for cars just like mine, but am having a hard time finding one that has all the things mine had. And I am not sure if I want to stay with it. I'm currently looking at Subaru's (XV Crosstrek). One of the things we are debating on is whether to get a car that is towable or not. I'm leaning towards geting one that may not be towable. WE like our tow dolly and have no issues with it, but the fact is that we only use it a couple times a year. I'm not sure if I want to limit my choice of a daily driver to something that can be towed on the tow dolly (or even 4 flat) for just a couple times a year. And to be honest, if we need a car, we could just rent one when we get where we are going and not have to worry about it. It starts sounding better the more I think and talk about it. If full timing, it would be totally different. But for a week long trip once or twice a year and the weekends, it doesn't sound worth it.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
May 22, 2015
well wb I think you did OK, but that was a heck of a lot of work on your part.

I know insurance companies are in business to make money, but I daresay that USAA would have taken care most of that work for me.

So around here, lawyers worth their salt are getting close to 200 per hour.:E
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
May 22, 2015
Get a Lawyer!

Do not accept ANY LOSS from this including Associated costs.

Make sure you get a brand NEW CAR

They must pay the full cost of a rental.

DO NOT SIGN ANY RELEASE until all is agreed and paid as agreed.

I would go to the doctor and make sure you are ok. Dont just assume it. Often problems take time to show up and they can be serious and expensive.

And remember your insurance premiums may go up. Get a settlement from them.

The insurance company is NOT your friend no matter how nice they may seem.

I have been through this and have been the "reasonable" party to my ultimate detriment. Never again. This is like business it demands a hard nosed approach so that you do not get taken.
beemerphile1
Explorer
May 22, 2015
Her insurance is obligated to "make you whole". I would demand they pay for an identical new car. There is no reason you should take any loss.

Don't forget you are also entitled to time lost from work, damage to your clothing, personal effects, and pain/suffering. In your case the pain and suffering will be very small.
wbwood
Explorer
May 22, 2015
Thanks all. I got the numbers from her insurance company. Way better than I expected. They are paying out the entire payoff on my loan minus about $70. I will cancel the extended warranty and will get a good part of that back, so I am coming a little ahead...
wbwood
Explorer
May 22, 2015
bukhrn wrote:
Is that the Titanium? There's a big difference between it & the SE,
When I was looking at them I decided to go with the Titanium that comes standard with almost ALL the things that are optional on the SE.

nope it's the SE.
Crowe
Explorer
May 22, 2015
We'll see... I'm gonna get screwed on it.

Not necessarily. That's what you have insurance and the company lawyers for. I had a similar thing happen to me not quite two years ago, except I had Hanover suing Hanover. They even went so far as to recover the damage the tow company had done. Don't settle until you've pushed them as far as you can. If they don't cough to your satisfaction, that's when you get an attorney involved.

This is what mine looked like:

The car also did what it was supposed to do.
rhagfo
Explorer III
May 22, 2015
PghBob wrote:
Matt_Colie wrote:
Find a lawyer now.

In many states, you can sue the other party for the costs not covered and the policy deductible.

Good Luck

Matt

I'm gonna go with Matt on this one. You really don't need to sue right off the bat, but the other insurance company will likely start playing nice quickly with an Attorney involved. Then if they give you any grief, you can tell the Attorney to sig 'em. Glad you are OK and hoping you get a speedy settlement.

Your insurance company may do the same for you at no cost.
PghBob
Explorer
May 21, 2015
Matt_Colie wrote:
Find a lawyer now.

In many states, you can sue the other party for the costs not covered and the policy deductible.

Good Luck

Matt

I'm gonna go with Matt on this one. You really don't need to sue right off the bat, but the other insurance company will likely start playing nice quickly with an Attorney involved. Then if they give you any grief, you can tell the Attorney to sig 'em. Glad you are OK and hoping you get a speedy settlement.
bukhrn
Explorer III
May 21, 2015
Is that the Titanium? There's a big difference between it & the SE,
When I was looking at them I decided to go with the Titanium that comes standard with almost ALL the things that are optional on the SE.