Got rear ended today.. my hitch is destroyed and car damaged, would love any advice or reassurance.

You probably don't realized the offensive nature of what you're saying, but it's similar to walking up to a homeless person and saying, "you really should consider being a homeowner and here are all the reasons why!"

Majority of us drive in cars more than a decade old because we can't afford anything more than that and implying we have a choice to easily afford to spend an extra $1K a year in comprehensive auto insurance because of all the "benefits" you get from it does not sit well with those of us who are wondering how we're going to afford to fill up the gas tank again.

Facts is: "56% of Americans are unable to cover an unexpected $1,000 bill with savings" 56% of Americans can't cover a $1,000 emergency expense with savings

And if you had bothered to actually empathise with what this person is going through, you'd remember that they clearly stated: "This is my tiny home though, I live in my Prius, and I'm a thousand miles from family..."

Please be more thoughtful and considerate towards the economic challenges that others face!

 

No I have USAA retired military officer I do not have collision on anything I make sure I buy my cars correctly and don't need collision. If I have to deal with an insurance company they have a big problem they certainly don't want to deal with me and they pay quick All I have to do is get on the phone and it's all finished but never had a problem I would much rather deal with the insurance company then wait for USAA to do it or whoever to do it I'll be on the phone with em in 20 minutes.

 

Put this vital information in the original post

 

Ok, as I said I’ll share my experience. And that’s all it is.

In my case the other party’s insurance co. was very willing to talk to me. But not forever. I got my car home, they sent an adjuster and totaled the car. They then wanted to pick it up asap after cutting me a check for a very fair amount.
They weren’t willing to negotiate.

What I would do next time is insist on negotiating. In writing. Nothing on the phone means anything.

I would insist that if they total the car I get to keep the “wreck” for some small fraction of the value.

If they refuse I would strip the car of anything useable or salable before they pick it up. But subtly. They have photos so you can’t take the doors off. But the wheels can be replaced by junk wheels, the cat can be cut out, the batteries can be replaced by junk batteries. They are not going to drive the car. It’s going to be loaded on a wrecker and the next time someone looks at it will be at Copart. And Copart will have no clue what they are expecting. And could likely not care less. This is a time when living out of your car is an advantage. If asked you can say you left your car parked in the street after the adjuster saw it.

With luck you’ll be able to negotiate keeping the totaled car. But don’t approach them from a position of weakness or need. For them it’s just business, and there’s no logical reason if you give them what Copart would that they should not make a deal with you. But you’ll likely end up with salvage title so don’t offer them too much. And spend a lot of effort on finding the actual price of available replacement cars. And if Progressive gives you any grief copy your state insurance commission on correspondence.
With effort you can work this out.

Do you have whiplash or neck pain? No? Are you sure??

if you even think you have any injury at all, contact an accident attorney. If they think you have a case they will work for you on contingency.

Good luck.

 

The way we handle it down souf. Exactly. Coming from the auto salvage industry I know all too well what I can do with my wreck or totaled out car before the wrecker gets to pick it up believe you me they might be picking up another car by the time it's all done I'll move the VIN plates to a wreck in my yard I mean you got to be kidding me That's all they care about is a VIN number on the silver plate or a sticker Believe it some guys come in these youngings they won't even know what a Prius is if it's old enough.

 

You aren't what you wear, and you darned sure aren't what you drive!
Most of the very wealthy people I've known actually DO drive cars that are more than 10 years old.
Back in 2018 I remember reading a white paper that gave something like 8-1/2 years old as being the median car age for the "wealthy."

SO....
There's lots of 'triggers' there...especially when you consider that the "poverty" line in the US about 1/10 of the limit on most targeted government giveaways. (EVs, debt forgiveness, etc)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Millionaire_Next_Door
What Cars Do Rich People Drive? [Millionaires Drive Old Cars] | White Coat Investor

Cars are NOT an asset.
They're an EXPENSE.
Unfortunately, for most they are also a necessity, like food, shelter, clothing, etc....

Again...
The purpose for INSURANCE (also a necessity for most) is to indemnify you against an unsustainable loss, and when your $11,000 hoopdi is pulling double duty as a place to live AND a means of transportation then you need to rejigger your priorities, and take a cold-eyed look at your risk-reward matrices.

There are a lot of formulae for determining when comp/collision are "worth it" with lots and lots of variables.
Some people live in authoritarian-ruled hellscapes where property insurance is higher.
Some people have suspended licenses because they thought that the Fast and Furious movies were documentaries.
Some people have substance abuse problems that lead to them driving with restricted licenses

Suggesting that a person re-examine comp and collision in an article where they specifically stated that they "would love any advice or reassurance" doesn't seem very judgemental to me personally.

MY mileage.
Yours will probably vary.

 

One factor: insurers can spec replacement parts be new, or not. If not, you can end up with crusty salvage yard parts, possibly with more wear/rust than what you had.

 

W..T..F are you talking about...I was explaining why your insurance company won't work on your behalf if you don't have collision insurance and have a not at fault accident. I wasn't commenting on the financial situation of the OP...and I certainly understand *why* someone wouldn't get collision/comp coverage. However, if you do so you are making a choice and taking a chance regardless if you can afford it or not...that's what insurance is all about.

Sheesh...sometimes I wonder about some of the folks around here...

And for the record, all of our vehicles in the family are old as well ( three 2012s and one 2013..and had a 2010 that was totaled )...so I know full well what driving older vehicles is like...but thanks.

 

I always drive old nice person cars because I don't have to pay the depreciation and my car doesn't mean much to me it's like a hammer when I wear it out or break it I get a new one at the store but with the car I'd rather not go to the store because I don't want to pay depreciation driving off the lot. So I pick one out of the paper or whatever I do and buy it and drive to ever lovin' h a l e out of it. Then I have nothing in it except gas oil and consumables tags and registration and whatever and in some states if you live in the south you can drive around on a canceled registration for about 3 years before you even get stopped. But that's another whole bunch of business The richest man in the world drives a 10-year-old or better car his name is William Buffett if you ever see him getting gas in New Jersey you'll be like shocked you see this man lives still in this old house and drives around a Mitsubishi Montero or whatever he's driving now because it just doesn't matter it's got power steering air conditioning and sits up off the road All one would really care about. I see all these people with their $60,000 Teslas paying thousands of dollars for door handles front suspensions falling out from under them I mean they're spending 10 grand a year to keep this car in the driveway on parts No not happening.

 

William Buffet......would that be Warren's brother?

 

It doesn't look too bad, but to fix it 100% like factory may reach the threshold for totalling it out. I would get 5 estimates from 5 different highly-rated shops, throw out the high & low estimates, and average the remaining 3. I'd submit that number to progressive and be firm. I would expect it to be in the ballpark of $4,000-6,000.

I would expect Progressive to send out their insurance adjuster who will probably quote like $1,000 or $1,500 to start and say they'll authorize more as the body shop takes things apart and sees what needs to be done. He'll probably also tell you to use only a specific shop or to pick between a few.

I don't know the laws in Oklahoma or wherever you were when you got rear ended, but in California the insurance company can't tell you where to go and they can't play the "we'll only authorize a little at a time" game. I say this because I would plan on taking your $5,000ish settlement and plunking it in your bank account. Spend $500 or $750 to have a body shop pull the hitch straight enough to open the hatch, buy another cargo rack, and live with the cosmetic damage as you continue to save for a place or new car.

 

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