Minor traffic accident, insurance issues

Very new to this situation and would appreciate advice with insurance issues involving a minor traffic accident.

Situation: As I was driving my Camry, a car in the next lane, slightly behind me, drifted into my lane and scraped/dented my car. A police car that happened to be a few cars behind saw this, so he stopped us, gave the other guy traffic ticket and each of us a "police report".

Questions:

  1. I have only liability insurance. Should I inform them of what happened.

  1. Got a letter from the other guy's insurance company with a form to fill. It is a little irritating in that their client hit me and they are asking my accident history and if I was drunk etc. Also, they want me to take the car to one of their authorized centers.

How should I respond? What I want is:

Repair of body damage. Examination if there was any invisible mechanical damage, and repair if found. Rental car while mine is unavailable.

I guess it is agood thing that I have never been in an accident, but that also makes me unfamiliar with the ropes. How would you approach it?

Thanks.

Reply to
Newbie
Loading thread data ...

I'd make it my first priority to call the person who sold me the insurance. If he/she couldn't answer all my questions, I'd shop for a new vendor. They shouldn't make a commission just for moving a pen and taking your money. There should be some intelligent service involved.

Liability insurance: No collision insurance? How old is this car of yours?

Authorized centers: That might not be legal in your state. Call the Toyota dealer's collision shop and ask them. I'd say call your state's insurance regulatory department, but you'll probably be on the phone for the rest of your life trying to get an answer.

Reply to
JoeSpareBedroom

ahem. Does any> 1. I have only liability insurance. Should I inform them of what > happened.

Apparently,

YOU

PEOPLE

HAVE

NO

IDEA

WHAT

THAT

MEANS.

Otherwise, you wouldn't have told him to use his insurance company.

I mean, he couldn't have made it simpler or more plain: HE HAS INSURANCE THAT COVERS ONLY HIS LIABILITY TO OTHERS.

Man. It's a wonder you people can make it to the bathroom.

When Jeff Strickland first piped in with "call your insurance company," I just shook my head but let it ride. CERTAINLY someone would catch him--if no one else Newbie would catch him to tell him HEY DUMMY--I SAID I HAVE ONLY LIABILITY INSURANCE.

I repeat: he has bought NO insurance that "does the dirty work for him" in this case. Period.

Of course, I don't expect you to understand.

Reply to
Elmo P. Shagnasty

True, but his agent may still be a good source of advice. The nature of his insurance policy is in no way connected with the agent's vocal chords.

Reply to
JoeSpareBedroom

Yep, make the call, find out what they say.

Reply to
Tomes

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.