Hey everyone,

So here's the deal. I'd rather get a personal opinion than use the yellow pages on this one.

Back in October my wife and I were rear-ended by a drunken idiot. He stopped but while the slo-po were on the way, he fled the scene. Fortunately I got his license plate #, so the cops went and tracked him down. My crappy insurance (state farm ) didn't try too hard to get the guy to pay. I ended up paying out my "non insured motorist" deductible along with $600 for a rental car, along with having to buy a new CD player since my stock one jammed up with a wonderful (CD ERR FO. . .AGAIN!). But so what about my stuff. . .I'm just ranting now. Onto the worst part:

My wife was twisted in her seat looking at me and talking when we got hit. She slammed back into the seat sideways and then the seatbelt twisted her back. She got whip-lash in her shoulder which ended up with shooting pains down her back. My insurance is supposed to cover doctor bills--which they did--and then pay out a "pain and suffering" claim. (Yeah yeah, up to $50,000 which I'm NOT interested in getting. . .) My wife ends up with horrible sleep for four months, along with going to PT stuff for exercises to attempt to strengthen her back since they can't just give something to heal pinched nerves/ligament damage. The insurance company says that after her doctor stuff is done, that we can request the pain/suffering claim. We did this on Wednesday and they tell her they'll gladly pay $1500 for her troubles. I hate to say it, but there is no justice in that. I got to watch my wife suffer throughout the day and barely sleep at night, and that's the lowball figure they throw out? I'm fed up with the poor treatment we are getting from State Farm. (I have many more stories about state farm if you all want to hear.) If anyone has had any good experiences with any lawyers, please let me know.

Thanks.

-andrew

 

Dann Sheffield 206-781-5000.

he just got done *** raping State Farm for me

he will get you paid

 

Drewer, sorry to hear that. Your insurance company should be reaming the frick out of that other guy's insurance! For one, hit and run is a felony! His insurance should be taking car of everything.

Anyway, that $1500 is just a lowball offer to close the case and end the liability responsibility of the insurance. No way you should take that. The key thing is "when the doctor stuff is done". Now I believe you have the power to decide that. Too a point anyway. If the doctors feel she still needs checkups and therapy, then the insurance should keep paying. But don't be surprised if they try to pressure you into closing the case.

The real question is why isn't your insurance not persuing the other guys' insurance?

 

Sorry to hear about that man! I hope everything works out!

-sean

 

Can you talk about it? I'd love to hear.

 

all I have to say is State Farm is a joke.

They're definitely not your good neighbor!

 

Amen Brotha Soopa! They d!cked me over with so much stuff regarding this case. . .I want to take what I can from them and switch companies. Period.

Anyone have any recommended insurance companies?

-andrew

 

hmm... I've always had good luck with state farm, everything went flawlessly with the rental and shop when someone hit my quarter panel

 

One really shouldn't expect insurance companies to take great care of ya. Even though they should. They after all, a business. From my experiences, a few totals, accidents etc..., it's really like a game of chess. The lowball, then you counter, they say they are going to do this, then you call their bluff, etc.... They are really preying on your lack of knowledge in order to cut their costs.

 

I wish it went nice and smoothly. They had a "Damage Estimate Inspector" look at my car AFTER the body shop fixed it and he said "they didn't do a good job, send it back!" So I did, and then state farm said "too bad on your car rental. . you've already maxed out what we're willing to cover" 3 months after the fact. And instead of making the body shop pay for the rental (since they did the sub-par job). . .I get stuck with the bill. The claim adjuster at the body shop also was a jerk. Instead of fixed the quarter panel, he kept my car for 4 days and then told me "we were able to just massage the panel flat again." It still doesn't line up flush to the bumper. Grrrr. And when I called the state farm office here to inquire if there was anything they could do since I wasn't at fault for any of this and shouldn't have to pay a dime, the lady started getting short with me and hung up on me. Excellent customer service. Sheesh

 

Drewer, that's when you contact the Wa state insurance commissioner.http://www.insurance.wa.gov/

And you write them a nice letter. The insurance company is required to reply to that letter.

Or you go over that lady's head and get the higher ups involved.

 

Can't you find the guy and sue him? It's a hit and run and drunk driving...Well, sure state farm first and sue the other guy after...

 

I think part of the key to getting smooth service is to research body shops beforehand, and know where to take your car for the best work. I made sure I searched multiple forums for referrals before I took mine to the best shop in beaverton, and when they did leave a couple flaws, they gave me a rental out of their own pocket when I brought it back to get fixed.

 

Very much so. . .and my wife is young, so the insurance lady keeps talking to her instead of me. I'll be glad to call their bluff and let them know that I'm gladly letting my lawyer handle it.

-andrew

 

If you guys think it's fun dealing with your car insurance, try dealer with your homeowners insurance after you lose everything in Hurricane.

Ivan '04

RIP- waterfront home, 2 cars, everything!