Backed into at work: How to get the check instead of new bumper

[shaferbm]

A week or so a go I was backed into at work, by the lady who lives across the street. I heard it from inside, and knew what had happened instant. Heart dropped. Apparently this is the fourth time this lady has done this. So much for looking before selecting reverse. Either way, my beauiful front divingbord is now all caddywumpus and crooked. Thats the extent of the damage.

It's going through insurance claims now, and State Farm told me that they will fix it, but I'd really rather them just cut me a check for the value of the damage.

A friend who's owned an auto shop for long a long time told me that I can just directly tell the claims agent that I want a check, because it was their client who hit me. Does anyone know if this will work? Or how else could I get them to send a check vs fixing. I can fix diving boards.

[decay]

BTDT. yes, you can. ultimately the insco cares how much they have to pay out, not to whom.

[Roysneon]

Call them and ask?

[oliver.r]

yes, justask for the money and tell them you plan on repairing it on a later date, thats it

[MrSlacker]

Yup just tell them to cut you a check. We got a check made out to the owner of the car for $17K instead of directly to the shop... insurance doesn't care who to pay

[10Toes]

The lady probably has a $500 deductible and this will probably raise her insurance so you should just ask her for $300 or so. If it was just the diving board damaged then this would be win for both people, although that woman does needs to learn how to drive.

[agent]

If her insurance company knows about it, it's probably too late for her - claim or not.

[BROKINBIMMER]

Wow, a lot of misinformation in this thread. Let me clear a few things up for you.

First, there is no deductible when you are the claimant, who was hit by the insured.

Next, the insurance company will make the check payable to you as long as there is no lien on the car.

Also, they do not care when you plan on getting the car fixed, or if you get the car fixed at all. They will even offer you to live with the damage and keep the $$.

They may try to encourage you to go to a shop they are affiliated with, simply let them know you'r unsure of who will be repairing your car.

Do not lead them to believe you are fixing the car yourself, this is an easy hint for them to short change the claim.

And lastly, if the vehicle is still driveable, they will ask you to drive the car to a drive in claims center. If you do this, they will write the estimate and cut you a check on the spot.

Any more questions, just ask

[shaferbm]

Right on. The wisdom helps, thanks to all. The lady has already filed a claim, so it's too late for deals without her insurer knowing. Tomorrow I'll call see if I can get the check in motion.

[raywillet]

First, there is no deductible when you are the claimant, who was hit by the insured.

So, she hit him, he gets cash, she has no deductible to pay, correct? I've never utilized my insurance *knock on head* just curious as to how it works.

[Vivek]

It's super easy, just ask for a check. My dad got like $600+ for the imprint of a license plate on the back bumper of his old beat up honda.

[agent]

So, she hit him, he gets cash, she has no deductible to pay, correct? I've never utilized my insurance *knock on head* just curious as to how it works.

No... the claim is against her and she was found "at fault," so the claim is on her insurance only and she has to pay her deductible. Part of that claim - and her deductible - is a check to shaferbm for 100% of whatever her insurance company deems the damage to his car is worth. He pays nothing out of pocket.

(cost of repairs to her car + cost of repairs to his car)
-
her deductible
=
what the insurance company pays out

[brianao34]

No... the claim is against her and she was found "at fault," so the claim is on her insurance only and she has to pay her deductible. Part of that claim - and her deductible - is a check to shaferbm for 100% of whatever her insurance company deems the damage to his car is worth. He pays nothing out of pocket.

(cost of repairs to her car + cost of repairs to his car)
-
her deductible
=
what the insurance company pays out

I was just in an accident not too long ago, in my case the other person was 100% at fault.
And there are two ways of filing:
1.) You can call her insurance and file a claim against her and they will investigate/get in contact with her. And if they find her at fault she will pay her deductible and her insurance will pay out.
2.) You can file a claim with your insurance company if maybe she doesn't have insurance or whatever. Then your insurance company will investigate and even if she is 100% at fault you still have to pay YOUR deductible, but in no way does it affect your rate.

Just my experiences.

[RondoAcapriccio]

in my experience they will write the check.. I got rear ended in my e28 pushed the american bumper in (rusted side anyway).. they came and checked it out.. wrote me a check for 900$$.. I pulled my bumper back out.. drove it for a bit, bought euro bumpers with the money lols.

[BROKINBIMMER]

I was just in an accident not too long ago, in my case the other person was 100% at fault.
And there are two ways of filing:
1.) You can call her insurance and file a claim against her and they will investigate/get in contact with her. And if they find her at fault she will pay her deductible and her insurance will pay out.
2.) You can file a claim with your insurance company if maybe she doesn't have insurance or whatever. Then your insurance company will investigate and even if she is 100% at fault you still have to pay YOUR deductible, but in no way does it affect your rate.

Just my experiences.

This is NOT true. She would only pay a deductible for her policy to cover the cost of any damages to her car.

Also, the OP could file a claim against his policy, if he has collision coverage. If this happens, his insurance company will pursue subrogation against her policy to recoupe the damages to his car. He would then be reimbursed his deductible after the insurance companies settled in court.