Jeep crashed, what should I do?

[TimmH]

Talk to your own insurance company, don't talk to the suspects insurance, let your people handle that, and don't sign or agree to anything until your satisfied.

Uninsured coverage in Florida is not required, but is always included unless you specifically opt out, so double check on that.

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[Mgg253]

@AcesandEights clearly has insurance background. I’d listen to his experience. Your policy is your only viable option to use at this point if you want to be [mostly] indemnified.

2 things, and I won’t get far into this muck.
1) diminished value is excluded from your own policy, to pursue this you’ll have to go after part of the 10k your policy is trying to get reimbursed.
2) it’s not your choice to total it. Break even will be used. Aka what ever is more cost effective, repairs or totaling. Some states total loss thresholds are even legislated (aka if damages exceed XX% of the value)

 

[John VonJeep]

Jesus, who knew that minimum liability limits were so low in most states?? ?

 

[Tgs]

Do not take anything untill the vehicle has be evaluated by an actual body shop. My insurance tried to get me to take $2500 for my jlu damage and after declining and having a body shop check it out the vehicle was then totaled due to frame and other damage.

 

[bjm00se]

Practical advice, to repeat and reinforce what others have said:

1. Since the other party's limits are so low, file a claim with your own insurance to get the jeep repaired (or totalled) and let *them* collect the remainder from the other party insurance.

2. They'll decide whether or not to total out the Jeep based on the cost of repairs. You don't get much input into this decision.

3. You can try and make a "diminished value" claim. Your success will depend on whether that's something your own insurance company pays however, given the limit on the other party's pay-out.

4. If they decide to repair it, rather than total it out, fine. There's nothing to prevent you from turning around and the very next day and trading it in on a new one, if that's what you need to do to feel safe and confident in the Jeep.

 

[JLUandCJ-7]

Jesus, who knew that minimum liability limits were so low in most states?? ?

These low coverages surprised me too. Seems they haven't been updated since the 80s.

 

[N8213]

wow, so most states if you have minimum coverage and hit anything more expensive than a bicycle the other party is out of luck.


It would probably be both fascinating and sad to see how many folks are driving around with minimum coverage.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Good luck with Geico. They are horrible to work with and their value estimates are extremely low.

 

[JSFoster75]

Good luck with Geico. They are horrible to work with and their value estimates are extremely low.

I've had excellent experience with Geico... In fact, they paid my $5,000 medical claim so fast that the insurance got it before they processed the claim... They also paid full value for the vehicle that was wrecked and never raised my rates.

I'm a huge proponent of Geico because they have done excellent by me.

 

[JLUandCJ-7]

I just checked my property liability coverage since I was curious, and I'm covered for $100K.

Still, I decided to make a few changes:

• Bumped property liability from $100K to $250K - Should be OK there unless I bump a Ferrari.
• Bumped uninsured/underinsured property liability from $25K to $100K. That'll cover a new Jeep if this happens to me.

Total increase in premium?
$10.33 every six months.

How much would I have "saved" if I knocked property liability down to $25K (State Minimum)?
$9.00 every 6 months.

Seems like a no brainer that if you have insurance, max out coverages to levels to protect yourself.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

They also paid full value for the vehicle that was wrecked and never raised my rates.

Was it a Jeep Wrangler?

Auto transmission package cost me $2,500, Gecico valued it at $500
LED light package cost me $1,465, Geico valued it at $75
Leather seat package cost me $1,625, Geico valued it at $400
Safety group cost me $995, Geico valued it at $200
Tow package cost me $845, Geico valued it at $100
Steel bumper package cost me $1,745, Geico valued it at $0
Hardtop package cost me $1,545, Geico valued it at $500

 

[Mgg253]

• Bumped uninsured/underinsured from $25K to $100K. That'll cover a new Jeep if this happens to me.

this is almost certainly for bodily injury, not property damage. Just so you’re not confused

 

[JSFoster75]

Was it a Jeep Wrangler?

Auto transmission package cost me $2,500, Gecico valued it at $500
LED light package cost me $1,465, Geico valued it at $75
Leather seat package cost me $1,625, Geico valued it at $400
Safety group cost me $995, Geico valued it at $200
Tow package cost me $845, Geico valued it at $100
Steel bumper package cost me $1,745, Geico valued it at $0
Hardtop package cost me $1,545, Geico valued it at $500

No, but over the years, I've had a total of 4 deer hit my cars and one car flipped end-over-end down the interstate 4 times, they never even questioned it, they paid my rental cars and all repairs minus my $250 deductible without a question.

 

[JLUandCJ-7]

this is almost certainly for bodily injury, not property damage. Just so you’re not confused

Ha. No, I'm not confused. It is for property liability.

 

[IdahoJOAT]

My wife is an agent and let me confirm what others have said, strongly: Call your agent. Let them work it. It's their job. They should be telling you when and where to do anything in regards to your vehicle.

After that, go find yourself/herself a real agent. Preferably a broker. It will take them more time to quote you, but they'll do so with many different companies and get a better deal overall.

For instance:
Let's say you currently have ABC Insurance for home, DEF Insurance for auto. ABC charges you $300 a month. DEF charges you $200. $500 total.

Well a broker will discover that HIJ Insurance will package both home and auto for $400. Still $300 for home but $100 for auto.

Then once you DO have an issue like this, you're dealing with a person who gives a shit about you, instead of a drone in a call center.

Just my $0.02.

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