Uninsured Motorist... Recourse?

[tom slick]

My wife's car got bumped the other night. he gave all of his info on his insurance company (dairyland?) and his contact information. found out today that he's overdue on his premium so his insurance company says "sorry" and that's it. I'd rather not make a claim though my insurance. The damage is just a couple smudges and cracked paint on the plastic bumper, no dent.

If the kid isn't paying his insurance I doubt he'd be interested in a handshake agreement to pay the estimated costs.

any advice?

 

[oilyriser]

what is the fine for driving without insurance? Maybe he needs a reminder.

 

[Anduril]

If he gave you his information, then you have his name. Call the cops, and sue him if you have to.

 

[Shannow]

I think Anduril is right...unfortunately for you.

 

[Gary Allan]

File the claim through your insurance company. Pay the deductible. While you're filing ask if they inform the police of the lack of insurance. If they don't. Do it yourself.

If they recover from his insurance (he should be covered for 30 days after the premium is past due and they may be just telling you that he's uninsured) you'll get your deductible back ..after a long time (probably).

 

[eljefino]

Your insurance knows how to get money out of deadbeats. Sad thing is they also know when to make the business decision to write something off and forget about it.

If you file a claim on your own (uninsured part of your) policy for this little scratch, they might jack your rates for the nuisance.

Since the scratch doesn't really bother you, let it go.

 

[Drew99GT]

Do you have actual uninsured motorist property damage coverage???

In most states with a tort system for auto insurance, by default, they give you uninsured motorist bodily injury - you can obviously decline it though. But you have to specifically purchase the property damage part - just like collision and comprehensive.

You can obviously call the police department and have them pay a visit - then go to court if it's worth it. Any witnesses that you can contact?

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
If the kid isn't paying his insurance I doubt he'd be interested in a handshake agreement to pay the estimated costs.

any advice?


Well, how about calling him ...saying "Well, your insurance isn't paid up, they don't want to pay ...when you get your [censored] together, I'd appreciate a call if you would care to make this right. I imagine that you don't need the fines and whatnot for not having insurance in force and whatnot ..but relax, I'm not going to push the issue. If you can't handle the repair, then please "pass it on" in courtesy to someone else who hasn't got their [censored] together and needs you to cut them a little slack".

 

[JustinH]

I went through this a few years back.

I think it is a mandatory coverage here in NY, but I'm not sure.

I had a guy rear end me, the guy was a loser urban dweller.

He was driving an early 90's ford tempo with no brakes, and thought it would be a good idea to just downshift it to get it to stop.

The car had switched plates on it, and inspection sticker at least 5 years old.

I called the cops right on the site, the cop came and scolded the guy for being such an idiot for rear ending my beautiful black thunderbird, and how irresponsible he was.

Then he threw the guy back in the cruiser and off he went.

My insurance company went to work, and got the car fixed, however I had to pay my 500 dollar deductible.

The insurance company tried to sue the loser for the rest of the money, I got a letter about a year later saying they were unsuccessful at getting any money from him, and would not be refunding my 500 dollar deductible.

I didn't go to court, that is what the insurance company is for.

 

[MrCritical]

Dairyland (in Louisiana anyway) is the insurance one gets when no one else will insure you. But you still have to pay the premiums.

 

[eljefino]

They probably have a 10% down plan, that's enough to get plates.

Then they want another payment ~21 days later, and know many will default.