I can't catch a break!

[Ken B 3,164]

So, I'm sitting at a red light when some guy rams into me! Man did he hit us hard. After making sure we were all right I got out and this is what I see. Man was I pissed. I just got this van and today was the third time I drove it. I could tell this wasn't the other drivers first rodeo as his F-150 was already missing its front bumper and grille from previous battles. My van is an 89 and I'm sure his insurance ain't gonna give me jack to fix it. I feel real bad for my son, he was with me(so was my brother Dave) and he's pretty down it in the dumps that our van is already toast. I guess I'll have to wait and see what his insurance company offers me, I'm pretty sure I ain't gonna be happy.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,300]

Dang Ken! That totally sucks! Glad no one got hurt. Good luck with the other guys insurance company, unfortunatly their goal is to pay out as little as possible . Hopefully it gets resolved quickly.

Mike........

[JimD 3,345]

Bummer.

[whfan74 2,066]

Glad you guys are ok....so sorry to hear about the mishap.

[Kelly 1,029]

Bummer, not sure about laws in your state but here in MI. if you only have basic ins. on your vehicle, and have to go after the other driver you can only get $500 To bad your so far away I know I could help you out in fixing this, that is what I do for a living.

[Ken B 3,164]

I wished I lived closer to you Kelly! I'm preparing to fix it myself because I know with the age of the van I'm gonna get the shaft. I've located a set of rear doors for 80 bucks that are only about 50 minutes away, I cant pass that up. They are red, I'll need to paint them. I might need some rear bumper brackets (If I can't straighten these) and a bumper. I'm sure I'll have to do a little beating, bangin and pullin to get things aligned as close as possible. What really irks me is the rear panel under the tail light is banged in a little. I'm gonna pull the inside panels off and hammer and dolly that, hopefully it won't be to noticeable. Of course this is after I hear from his Insurance company.

[KC9KAS 4,741]

I think you probably have whip-lash....get a C-collar and go to HIS insurance company and explain how bad you neck hurts and how much better it will be when they pay all costs to put you van back in the shape it was in BEFORE he hit it!

Amazing how fast an Insurance company will want to settle with you when you are injured!

[Ken B 3,164]

I think you probably have whip-lash....get a C-collar and go to HIS insurance company and explain how bad you neck hurts and how much better it will be when they pay all costs to put you van back in the shape it was in BEFORE he hit it!

Amazing how fast an Insurance company will want to settle with you when you are injured!

My brother did file in the report that he has a sore neck..... which he does.

[Kelly 1,029]

Watch the insurance fraud, my Dad was a investigator for a very large insurance agency, and they will send you to jail if you file a false claim, and they catch you, not saying he didn't get hurt, just don't try to hard with it.

My neighbor filed a claim a few years ago and we had a private investigator a few times in my back yard taking pics of him, till I told them to get the hell off my property.

[Ken B 3,164]

Great advice Kelly. My brother is about as honest as they come so no worries there. I'm gonna buy all the parts I need in advance as I find them on the cheap. I'm getting the 80 buck rear doors tomm. HOPEFULLY I get at least enough money out of the insurance company to cover the cost of painting the rear doors. You would think that is the least they could do for all of the inconveinance and cost out of my own pocket this is gonna cost me, not too mention I can't even drive it as fumes enter the cabin. They should be givin me a rental but I'd rather just drive my Jeep.

[can whlvr 993]

man you just got the camper,they should have to put it back the way it was,ita a one way street for the insurance companies,they want lots of cash but never want to pay

[wallfish 16,977]

Dam Ken, that does suck! You must be pissed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[64s 83]

Ken, I was into the insurance game years and years ago but I don't think things have changed much. As long as you're not at fault at all and its not a total, his company has to make you 'whole' meaning your van has to be repaired to condition prior to the accident. That being said, they will offer you less and you're going to have to be persistent until you win - which will happen over time. Or sometimes you'll be surprised and they'll just fix it, especially given as of now no claims are being made for personal injury. If you're brother is going to file, have him hold off as long as possible so that it doesn't get mixed in with your claim. Good Luck!!

[squonk 41,013]

You may be surprised. I bought a Jeep Liberty at auction for like 6 grand. My wife slid off the road on ice with it and it got totaled. The ins. co. paid me 11 grand Then My wife had my sons 98 Gr Am. It was a $1500 car. She parked it at work and a guy backed into it and crinkled the front fender and drivers door. The door still opened and the window still worked. His co. gave us $1500 for that. :)

[VinsRJ 721]

Sorry to read this Ken... I'm also glad everyone walked away.

As you may know its never a pay day when someone hits you... funny how that works... you hit me and now I have the conversation of how your Ins. Company is going to MF me. SWEET!

[fireman 1,021]

Man Ken that just sucks! Where did it happen? Was the guy a total loser about it? Texting while driving?

[6wheeler 603]

Glad no one was seriously injured. The van will get fixed. I think 64s is right on that. The Ins. co. will have to fix it . Period. Here in Mn. we have no-fault ins. meaning no-one admits fault, but, everyone is at fault. So it is turned over to the insurance companies and they "Duke" it out. But the vehicles get repaired. I think you may be surprised. Get a couple of estimates (legitimate ones) and go from there. Your agent should be all over it anyway. Good Luck

[Ken B 3,164]

Man Ken that just sucks! Where did it happen? Was the guy a total loser about it? Texting while driving?

It happened at the 4 corners stoplight in front of Kohl's in Brookfield. he was an alright guy, prob in his 50's. he said he was just relaxing on the couch at home when a friend of his called and asked if he could meet him at the Home Depot and haul some stuff home for him. He felt real bad about it.

I brought my son back to college today, 7 hr round trip and then on the way home I travelled another hr further to pick up a real nice set of rear doors for the van for 80 bucks. I couldn't pass that deal up. After a nine hr day of drivin I'm beat!

[stevasaurus 22,693]

Ken, if you have any good insurance company at all, and you have your other stuff with them, they should do the fighting for you with the other guys company. Glad all are OK. Hey, maybe we will see you at the Charlott show in Michigan, and Kelly can fix it for you. He does do excellent work. and you can haul plenty of parts home with you. Not trying to make light of what happened, but some good may come of it.

[WheelHorseSteve 56]

So sorry to hear about that, Ken! I was hit once from behind and the whiplash pain didn't show up until later in the day. It may take a little while to set in... I hope you and your son don't experience it. I also hope you get some decent money from the insurance co!

[Shuboxlover 478]

Ken...do you uninsured/underinsured coverage on YOUR policy. If you do, and the other guys insurance doesn't pan out, you can use that.

[dcrage 625]

Ken...do you uninsured/underinsured coverage on YOUR policy. If you do, and the other guys insurance doesn't pan out, you can use that.

Some of you insurance guys can expand on this; BUT I know from my experience that an important question to know the answer to is "What is the surcharge policy for you insurance coverage?" -- As Tyson pointed out your uninsured/underinsured coverage is an option; but will your premiums increase because of it -- I have had coverage where a payment by my carrier triggered premium increases

Just another calculation that you need to make to decide the correct course of action

[Ken B 3,164]

The insurance dude is outside as I type this... He was pretty impressed with how clean it is for the yr. of the van. He looked inside and said, oh this is nice....He told me the book value is a little over 5 grand so it is going to be fixed.

Edited January 8, 2013 by Ken B

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,300]

Congrats! Glad to see its looking like things are going your way.

Mike............

[posifour11 723]

Good deal