Anyone have experience dealing with an insurance adjuster?

[osustamm]

I got in an accident Monday that was 100% the other party's fault.

(a 16 year old girl with her permit decided to turn in front of me, she got a ticket, admitted to me at the accident that it was her fault, and the police report puts all the blame on her)

Now I am dealing with her insurance adjuster (State Farm). The adjuster said that her story has me at fault and since there is no evidence stated in the police report (it just has the facts of the case), at this point it is my word versus hers and he has no reason to accept liability for my case.

I have both a car damage and a personal injury to deal with.

I am not a sue first think second type of guy. I would rather settle without a lawyer if possible.

What would you all suggest?

 

[Mike80]

I got in an accident Monday that was 100% the other party's fault.

(a 16 year old girl with her permit decided to turn in front of me, she got a ticket, admitted to me at the accident that it was her fault, and the police report puts all the blame on her)

Now I am dealing with her insurance adjuster (State Farm). The adjuster said that her story has me at fault and since there is no evidence stated in the police report (it just has the facts of the case), at this point it is my word versus hers and he has no reason to accept liability for my case.

I have both a car damage and a personal injury to deal with.

I am not a sue first think second type of guy. I would rather settle without a lawyer if possible.

What would you all suggest?

1. Get the police report.

2. If the girl was cited, there should be a record of it.

3. Get your insurance agency involved.

4. fuck State Farm.

 

[cincibuck]

1. Get the police report.

2. If the girl was cited, there should be a record of it.

3. Get your insurance agency involved.

4. fuck State Farm.

Ditto

 

[Gatorubet]

I'm sure the insurance company will deal with you in good faith and not jerk you round until the applicable statute of limitations is up...after all, "like a good neighbor..State Farm is there." I mean, they say it in a commercial for gosh sakes.

BTW - your insurance company has no duty to help you recover against the other girl for your injury. They will try to recover whatever they are out in the property side if you have collision coverage and your insurance fixes your car, but you are on your own on the personal injury side. Not your company's job.

All I can tell you is that you need to confirm every, and I mean every conversation you have with S.F. in writing or contemporaneous e-mail. Find out the last day you can file if you do not feel that they have made you whole for your damages, and put it on your calendar. Also, realize that if you use your health insurance or medicaid to pay for your doctor, that either will demand that money back from you when/if you get reimbursed for it from State. That is called subrogation, and you need to figure that into the equation when you settle on a final number or you will have a nasty surprise at the end, thinking you are done.

Good luck.

 

[BadMouse]

I had an experience years ago with State Farm in a similar-type of accident where the other guy turned right in front of me. My car was totaled and I ended up with a neck injury.

Don't pussy foot around. Yes, let your insurance company know what's up, but the most important thing to do is simple: Get a lawyer involved.

Sometimes, it may only take a letter from the lawyer requesting insurance do all their communication through them to get an adjuster to straighten up and fly right. Also, don't agree to anything without the lawyer looking it over BEFORE you sign.

I'm no attorney, but I do know from several experiences that a good one is worth the money.

Good luck.

 

[Taosman]

Insurance companies are using "gate-keepers" a lot now so you have to deal with them first before you even get to a company person. The gate- keepers first job is to stonewall you till you give in. If you can be patient you can usually do better. I had a guy back into my unoccupied, parked car I thought"this should be a no-brain-er", wrong! It took several months of negotiation with the gate-keeper and insurance company to get what I wanted.

 

[osustamm]

Thank you all! Great suggestions.

I'm going to talk to the policeman who wrote the accident report today and see if he can be any assistance.

All i am trying to do now is get state farm to accept that it was their drivers fault.

Also, can i call the girl who hit me and ask her why she changed her story?

 

[cincibuck]

Reading this thread reminds me of what a great insurance company I have. If you have any military connection, past or present, send me a PM and I'll tell you who I have my home and car policies with.

 

[osustamm]

My case just got much easier... The other party involved said they were turning left with a green arrow. That would have made sense (a little) but there is no green arrow at that light.

Lets see how state farm wants to again turn this around and not pay....

 

[buckeyebri]

We had the same experience when my daughter got hit and the person admitted fault, their parents called and apologized and then their insurance got involved and tried to make it out as my daughters fault.

I just [censored] all over their agent and stuck to my guns and they paid. Don't let them push you around....get a statement from the Police officer if necessary. State Farm is the worst followed closely by Prudential (piece of the rock my ass), and then Family Insurance.....