First car accident... need advice

You shouldn't have to pay your deductible. Do you have an agent you can talk to at State Farm (as opposed to calling the claims #)? They might be able to explain things a bit more clearly? We have State Farm and our agent is awesome. She explains everything so well...

Since you're not at fault, you do have to deal with the other person's insurance (but State Farm can/should do that for you). That's just how it works. Sorry this happened to you.

It was more then what I paid originally for the car (A 2 year old Fit I got a heck of a deal on).

Did they give you back your deductible after it was all settled? Because if the other insurance decides to drag on... I might just go through mine.

also, in case you had done any upgrades, did they take that into consideration? Thanks again for your input.

By the way, do they take any upgrades to the car into consideration when coming up with a 'fair market value'?

Only if you have receipts or other proof of upgrades AND if you are insured for the upgrades. Otherwise there are limits to these things and it really isn't much. That's another reason to wait on the other person's insurance company (and annoy them every other day with phone calls).

Post some wreck pics please!

Thanks for the tip. I talked to my agent and he explained everything. Said to wait a few days for the other insurance to call, but if they don't to call them and file the claim through them.

Call the other person's Insurance Company and file a claim thru them - tell them you WANT a RENTAL CAR and you WANT ONE NOW - do it tomorrow - why are you waiting - when you have a police report that indicates the other driver was at fault

Normally they do not pay for anything other than factory items on a vehicle; so if you did upgrades, Insurance Companies normally do not pay for any such items. You may have to fight and fight hard for that; but it's unusual that they pay for it. You should also get ALL YOUR personal belongings out of that vehicle if it is totaled. Go to wherever it is, and remove ALL personal belongings.

They will appraise that vehicle based on many factors, mileage, interior (wear and tear) on the carpet, seats, headliner, dashboard, and various factors such as this; they have a an entire list they go over when totaling a vehicle out, including the outside of the vehicle; as to the condition of it.

I would be after THAT Ins. Co. and do NOT pay the deductible to State Farm; I have State Farm and whomever told you this is plain It wasn't your fault, and no way should you be turning it in as a "collision claim" to State Farm; you will be surcharged by State Farm if you do so Talk to your Agent, and tell them to get on the ball, get you a rental car from the other Ins. Co. - or you are going directly to the other Ins. Co. - which is WHAT THEY DO NOT WANT YOU TO DO - get the picture yet

Also, in your State do you have Limited Tort and/or Full Tort Ins. Coverage? If so, what type of coverage do you have? If you have Limited Tort, you are only able to recover certain amounts for things; with Full Tort you can run the gambit with that. Big difference in both, small amount of difference in cost; if you analyze it; and it's worth it to have Full Tort; it truly does protect you for the little bit extra one pays for this. I'll never again go with Limited Tort Option, which our State has.

Either the Rep you talked to was totally uninformed, or lacked knowledge; talk to your Agent; if you get no where; call the other Ins. Co. involved. You need a vehicle now, not later.

I wish I had some pics. For some weird reason my phone was dead at the moment.

Call the other person's Insurance Company and file a claim thru them - tell them you WANT a RENTAL CAR and you WANT ONE NOW - do it tomorrow - why are you waiting - when you have a police report that indicates the other driver was at fault

Normally they do not pay for anything other than factory items on a vehicle; so if you did upgrades, Insurance Companies normally do not pay for any such items. You may have to fight and fight hard for that; but it's unusual that they pay for it. You should also get ALL YOUR personal belongings out of that vehicle if it is totaled. Go to wherever it is, and remove ALL personal belongings.

They will appraise that vehicle based on many factors, mileage, interior (wear and tear) on the carpet, seats, headliner, dashboard, and various factors such as this; they have a an entire list they go over when totaling a vehicle out, including the outside of the vehicle; as to the condition of it.

I would be after THAT Ins. Co. and do NOT pay the deductible to State Farm; I have State Farm and whomever told you this is plain It wasn't your fault, and no way should you be turning it in as a "collision claim" to State Farm; you will be surcharged by State Farm if you do so Talk to your Agent, and tell them to get on the ball, get you a rental car from the other Ins. Co. - or you are going directly to the other Ins. Co. - which is WHAT THEY DO NOT WANT YOU TO DO - get the picture yet

Also, in your State do you have Limited Tort and/or Full Tort Ins. Coverage? If so, what type of coverage do you have? If you have Limited Tort, you are only able to recover certain amounts for things; with Full Tort you can run the gambit with that. Big difference in both, small amount of difference in cost; if you analyze it; and it's worth it to have Full Tort; it truly does protect you for the little bit extra one pays for this. I'll never again go with Limited Tort Option, which our State has.

Either the Rep you talked to was totally uninformed, or lacked knowledge; talk to your Agent; if you get no where; call the other Ins. Co. involved. You need a vehicle now, not later.

You should NOT have to wait for a rental car, even if you don't have the police report. I was able to get a rental car the same day. They did put a hold on one of my credit cards since they were still working with the other person's insurance company to get a line of billing set up. That might be an option for you. Even if they say they won't, go to a rental car place and they should be able to help you. If you have the other person's insurance information (which you should) give it to them, and they should take care of it. They're usually very helpful and willing to work with you. I'd go ASAP. It's not fair that you don't have transportation because the other driver wasn't paying attention to what they were doing.

Also, there's no reason to go through your own insurance since the other person was at fault. You'd have to pay your deductible up front, and most likely wouldn't get your settlement any sooner. (And why rush it? You'll get a rental car that THEIR insurance will pay for anyway! ) Since they're at fault, you'd eventually get your deductible back, but again, no reason to be out of that $500 while your insurance company goes through subrogations.

Definitely go see your doctor for any possible injuries, and I'd highly recommend a chiropractor. You'd be amazed at what an accident like that could do to your neck and spine. (I'm still getting treatment, and it's been almost two months since mine - I was rear-ended by someone going about 40mph while I was stopped. And oddly enough, the other driver was 17, too!) Also, it certainly wouldn't hurt to consider a lawyer. Especially since the company is already resisting you on the rental car.

Always keep a disposable camera or two in the glove box. Take photos of the accident and area immediately after the accident. Not the other driver, just the damage to both vehicles, the roadway, the street signs, etc...

Thanks for the advice. I will probably go get a rental tomorrow. In my case I slammed into the 17 year old at 40MPH. It was still his fault since I had the right of way. I went to my doctor and complained of back and neck pain. She said to come back next week and if I still feel the same, she will send me for x-rays........

I know. I thought my phone camera would do. But, out of the blue, the battery was dead. Anyways I am sure that a disposable wouldn't last much inside a 160 degree car in AZ...