Rear Ended!

My 2005 was rear-ended a couple of years ago. The repair cost was $500. (New bumper and paint)

 

GeoDesign,

Welcome to Club Innuendo.

Similar thing happened to us ~a month ago. We also were popped
forward into the car ahead.

Our repairs required new bumper covers and replacement of the
various energy absorbing substructures front and rear, and some
straightening of the body just below the rear hatch and lower edge of
the hatch itself. Then repainting of the covers and vertical surface of
the hatch. Total cost ~$3K.

With a new rear bumper cover and energy absorbing materials,
repaint of bumper cover, UWAG (Unscientific Wild-nice person Guess): ~$1K.

Note: I've been told that in any rear end accident the energy absorbing
stuff gets somewhat compressed. It needs to be replaced to ensure
full capability should it happen again.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to hear that the paying insurance
company dosen't think it is necessary.

 

Make sure a 4 wheel alignment is included in the estimate.

 

We were rear ended (in a Honda Element by a Lexus) and needed all kinds of things replaced including impact absorber devices that look like short shock absorbers. The insured's company actually recommended replacement of all of these items.

 

Well, good luck on this.

I was all hot under the collar, squawked like hell, and spoke to my
adjuster and any number of folks at the head office. I got nowhere on
getting an alignment in my repairs. The basis for the refusal was that
there was no meaningful damage to the frame and all the forces of the
collision were essentially straight-line fore and aft. I went down
screaming, but "No" it was, and "No" it stayed.

My post accident FE/MPGs appear to be unaffected by the accident:
* still seeing ~55 MPG on my daily 28 mile round trip daily
commute -- 50/50 urban/highway miles.
* recently got 58 MPGs (~60 MPH, 85 degF OAT, air co at 78degF)
on a 360 mile jaunt to and from the northern NJ shore.
(MPGs from ScanGauge)

 

Make sure State Farm doesn't increase your premium. I know some insurance companies do regardless who's fault.
Good luck.

 

I too have been very happy with State Farm. It's well worth the extra money it costs me over the on line and mail order companies. They have an office a mile from my house and an agent who gives me his home phone number and will be on my side if worse comes to worse.

 

Watch for your premium going up. You should have claimed against the other insurance.

 

Too bad to hear about another incident.

I recently was rear ended in my Honda Fit.

Similarly..maybe a little less...no detachment or cracks...damage. Seemed very cosmetic to me. Still ended up being just under $1000 when all was said and done.

Painting and bodywork can really add up fast.

You've already gotten a lot of good advice and I have little to add. My only cautionary tale...would be that in the end when I went to pick up my automobile it seemed the body shop had done a good job with the repair and the paint, but they had reinstalled a new rear bumper applique really badly. Not positioned correctly and slightly crooked.

Maybe something to discuss upfront, and let them know beforehand that it's something you will be looking at. I "trusted" that a reputable body shop would be able to put a bumper protector back correctly and it resulted in an additional week and another trip back to the bodyshop before I could really file the whole experienced down as being "resolved".

 

Why do you say this? I was rear-ended twice in my new Prius and saw no increase in the recently received bill (Farmers). They will pursue the other party's insurance company for damages, car rental expenses, and deductible and it's not costing them in the end so there's no reason for the premium increase. It's a much less hassle than claiming and dealing with the other insurance company yourself.

P.S. It was $678 for a new bumper.

 

Even though my accident was 100% not my fault, I initiated my claim through my insurance...mostly for the convience of not having to deal with the other insurance company.

I HOPE they do not increase my premium. But I did get a letter from them during the process where they thanked me for notifying them, said they expected full recovery from the other insurance company but could not guarantee that recovery. So far the other Insurance Company has paid, but I do have some fears that my Insurance company will use it as an excuse to raise my rates...even though the whole incident was absolutely NOT my fault.

When I get my next premium I'll let you know.

Oh, and my insurance is AMICA which I've had for a long, long time. I can say they have fantastic customer support. I've stayed with them for a long time, because they are so professional when the unfortunate reality of having to use them manifests.

They might not be the cheapest, but I appreciate the excellent level of customer service they are able to provide....

 

I've been hearing good things about State Farm, lately.

Note that the OP said that SF will go after the other insurance company for them. That's standard procedure.

I was hit in a parking lot, when my car was parked (I wasn't even in it!). The driver of the van that hit me (it was the Malibu - remember that poor accident magnet?) wasn't insured. Well, after it was fixed, the driver DID pony up the money, and our insurance company refunded our deductible... but they STILL raised our rates! We moved our insurance business elsewhere. That was Farmers Ins.

My daughter has had SF for a few years now (and a pretty bad accident in there), and is happy with them.

 

I get all the same things, but if they do increase your premium (beyond the normal standard increase), it's time to switch to a more reputable insurance company like Farmers or State Farm. There's a reason why online and mail order companies charge the way they do, only to turn around and increase on you at the first sign of an accident.

 

How do you know it was not a normal increase in premium that's bound to happen once in a while, irrespective of claims? They can't be charging the same premium for years and years while the COL goes up.

 

Ask your agent, but you should have no premium increase when another party is at fault (esp.with police report). Also, no deductable applies since other party ins. pays full damage. I use AAA and like a prior post, am glad they represent me if needed. Not worth saving $100 with a budget company.

PS: $832 in your state. Here in Cali, about $2200!

 

At least $1000