I was talking to a friend in Florida today, and he was asking me what to do about the carrier that he contracted with to deliver his car from CT to FL. The carrier damaged the car, and the two estimates were $3000+- and $3800+-. The insurance company for the carrier sent an appraiser who came up with $2300 for the damages and informed him that the carrier was responsible for the first $2500, so they weren't going to be paying him for the damages. The carrier is giving him the runaround and now is just ignoring his calls. What advice would you give him? He doesn't want to put the claim on his insurance because he doesn't want his rate to go up.
Car Shipping
- Thread starter DustyRusty
- Start date
In my experience, get his insurance involved and let them fight it out. His company will use their lawyers/contacts to work it out. Maybe his insurance will go up, but probably won’t if it wasn’t his fault.
Yes, get the insurance company involved and get the car fixed immediately at the place of choice. I have had the run around and driven trashed cars dealing with these useless folks, now I take the attitude that I won't drive junk.
NCL4701
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Either file with his carrier and let them fight it out for him or file suit directly against the vehicle transporter.
If he’s assuming his rates will go up due to a claim filing, check with his agent on underwriting consequences of filing a claim before deciding whether it’s best to file with his own insurance or not. Aside from potentially negative underwriting consequences, filing on his own insurance is clearly the best option.
I know nothing about rating structure and rules outside of NC. Here it would be no fault on the insured = no increase per NC mandated SDIP rating rules so it’s the same for all insurers for this scenario here. However, there may be other consequences such as cancellation due to claim frequency, rate changes because the carrier didn’t know he had the car in Florida a big chunk of the year, etc. There also may be variances between insurers on consequences if there’s not a government mandated response as there is here.
Bottom line, check with his agent on consequences of filing a claim, compare to the cost and work involved in a lawsuit, and make a business decision on how to proceed.
If he’s assuming his rates will go up due to a claim filing, check with his agent on underwriting consequences of filing a claim before deciding whether it’s best to file with his own insurance or not. Aside from potentially negative underwriting consequences, filing on his own insurance is clearly the best option.
I know nothing about rating structure and rules outside of NC. Here it would be no fault on the insured = no increase per NC mandated SDIP rating rules so it’s the same for all insurers for this scenario here. However, there may be other consequences such as cancellation due to claim frequency, rate changes because the carrier didn’t know he had the car in Florida a big chunk of the year, etc. There also may be variances between insurers on consequences if there’s not a government mandated response as there is here.
Bottom line, check with his agent on consequences of filing a claim, compare to the cost and work involved in a lawsuit, and make a business decision on how to proceed.
Just to expand, there is no advantage for their insurance to resolve this in a timely manner. On the other hand, his insurance will probably start helping immediately.
I haven't been in accidents very much. The last time I was hit in the side at a red light in a larger city. I dropped off the vehicle at my body shop who gave me a ride to a rental car company. They started work on the car after getting my insurance approval. A couple of weeks later it was done. It was 6 months later until the other guys insurance conceded fault. Obviously, I preferred having my car back sooner than later.
I haven't been in accidents very much. The last time I was hit in the side at a red light in a larger city. I dropped off the vehicle at my body shop who gave me a ride to a rental car company. They started work on the car after getting my insurance approval. A couple of weeks later it was done. It was 6 months later until the other guys insurance conceded fault. Obviously, I preferred having my car back sooner than later.
I agree, Get his insurance company involved.
accidents happen to anyone... I understand.
But these days, there are a LOT of unqualified so called car transporters getting into the Biz.
you see them all the time..... open trailers being towed by basically pickup trucks....
see them all the time..... climbing a hill in the middle lane on a 3 lane highway...... slower than a turtle with a broken leg.
anyway.... don't get me on a rant...
I've sold and had a few classic cars transported over the years..... and they were all very careful... even to the point of wearing cotton gloves.....
enclosed haulers.....
but it's not cheap. $
you get what you pay for.
Most carry a 2 million dollar policy.
Poohbear
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Might talk to Fed DOT or State DoT about this carrier . My knowledge is limited here but DoT numbers are they not required for this type operation. They might put some pressure on the carrier.
I would get insurance involved also. Not all claims result in an increase. Dot numbers should be displayed. In future Amtrak offers car service too
Not my car as stated in the original thread. Whenever I ship a car I always use Intercity Lines, since they are local to me. An old friend told me about them since they transport his cars. https://intercitylines.com/
OK…. I guess I forgot that…. to be more specific…. Your Friend…should contact HIS insurance agent. IMO.
GreensvilleJay
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It sounds like he HAS personal insurance on the car, so for SURE get the insurance company involved ! Since the OWNER of the car was not 'at fault', his insurance shouldn't go up.
Big 'problem' , is whether he accepted the car ! If he did,he had to sign a 'paper' and buried on page 27, sub paragraph 12a, in microfont, he 'signed away any 'rights', he had....
Hopefully he took a zillion, dated pictures of the damage while ON the carrier's trailer. That should help but he's got a long drawn out battle.If not settled within 4 business days', contact 'media', post pictures, tell the tale. The hauler and his insurance company won't like the 'bad press' ,will settle PDQ.
Big 'problem' , is whether he accepted the car ! If he did,he had to sign a 'paper' and buried on page 27, sub paragraph 12a, in microfont, he 'signed away any 'rights', he had....
Hopefully he took a zillion, dated pictures of the damage while ON the carrier's trailer. That should help but he's got a long drawn out battle.If not settled within 4 business days', contact 'media', post pictures, tell the tale. The hauler and his insurance company won't like the 'bad press' ,will settle PDQ.