My Car Was Hit By a Deliver Truck While It Was Parked – Claim Denied?

Reader’s Question:

My car while parked was hit by a delivery truck and the bumper got damaged. I took my car to my regular repair place here in Arizona and was given an estimate of $875. When I submitted this to the truck driver’s insurer, they requested me to have the car assessed at their partner repair shop and got an estimate of $720. I want to have my car fixed in my regular repair place even though it charges more. Will the truck driver’s car insurance still cover for that?

Elizabeth

Phoenix, AZ

The Arizona Department of Insurance states that you are allowed in Arizona to choose a repair shop and get damage assessment of your car. Car insurance providers will ask you to get other valuations to make sure that your choice repair place has quoted an evenhanded price, though. Additionally, all insurers have their preferred repair shops because they are known to have decent and competitive prices for repair jobs.

The Arizona Department of Insurance also mandates that the insurer may not require you to travel unreasonably to get damage assessment for your vehicle from a repair shop, or bring the car on your own to a specific repair place to have it fixed. In your case, though, you can appeal that the car repairs be done in your choice repair place. If explained and handled properly then you might be able to come up with a good settlement and the repair process can be charged to the paying car insurance company. If this would not be the case and the truck driver’s insurance company will only cover $720, but you still want to pursue having your car fixed by your choice repair shop, then you will need to shoulder the remaining amount.

What The Heck Does Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Mean?

Reader’s Question:

Hi everyone! I’m having a hard time understanding the auto insurance quote that an agent gave me. He says it’s the minimum auto insurance requirement in Arizona. Can someone explain in simple terms what this actually covers?

Faith

Glendale, AZ

Hello there, Faith! I’d be glad to help you out.

For starters, the minimum auto insurance coverage required in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 per person of bodily injury liability insurance with a maximum of $30,000 per accident and a $10,000 property damage liability insurance. If you are found to be the person at fault in an accident, the bodily injury liability insurance will pay for the costs of medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering of the injured party. It will also provide legal defense if ever you get into a lawsuit resulting from the accident. On the other hand, the property damage liability insurance will cover the expenses for damage to another person’s properties, as well as any legal costs associated with the accident.

Aside from the minimum insurance required, I would also suggest that you look into getting some add-on auto insurance coverage for collisions and a comprehensive auto insurance, as well, to cover for any other thing that could result to the damage or loss of your vehicle.

Why don’t you give your agent in Arizona a call? I’m sure your auto insurance agent will be able to enlighten you on your auto insurance companies’ policies and processes, and this will aid you in making an informed decision before you actually pay for your auto insurance.

Hit and Run Drunk Driver Accident – Will My Insurance Pay?

Reader’s Question:

Our neighbor damaged my son’s parked vehicle in Deer Valley, Arizona. Our neighbor’s car was not insured but he got insurance on his other car. Can we place a claim against the policy on the car that is insured? He was arrested for drunk driving.

Tim

Deer Valley, AZ

I do not think you could file a claim for the damages caused by the uninsured automobile against the car insurance policy of the other vehicle with insurance. Your neighbor is responsible for the damages.

To have the damages fixed in Deer Valley, Arizona you may see if you could place claims against your own insurance provider under your collision coverages.

Another option is to seek legal help to determine if you will have to take your neighbor to court and seek a judgment against your neighbor for the damages you sustained while he was driving drunk.

You may contact the Arizona Department of Insurance online or call their consumer hotline at 1-800-252-3439 for consumer help.

If I Co-Sign For a New Car Loan Am I Responsible If There is an Accident?

Reader’s Question:

I just want to know if I co-sign a loan for a vehicle in Arizona and the primary driver causes an accident can I be held responsible in legal matters?

Tiffany

North Pinal, AZ

Generally, if you have your name on the title of a vehicle and are considered a co-owner then you have liability for the actions of anyone who drives the automobile. So if as a co-signer you had your name put on the registration or title of the vehicle then likely you will be considered a co-owner and therefore could be sought after if the main driver was in caused damages in an accident.

If you are not listed on the title of the car and only named on the loan then your risk of being involved in legal matters are not as great since you only signed to be financially responsible for the car or make payments if the primary signer fails to make payments timely.

I suggest that you contact a lawyer in AZ that is familiar with Arizona liability laws and civil suits with regards to car accidents to know what liability you would have in your position as a co-signer on a car loan on which some else is the main driver.

My Car Was Hit By UPS Truck – Can I Demand A New Vehicle Replacement?

Reader’s Question:

I live in Casas Adobes. I bought a new vehicle but a week later my car was hit by a UPS truck while it was parked at work. It is a hybrid car with alot of complicated batteries and electronics. Is possible to demand for a new vehicle?

Lory

Casas Adobes, AZ

I suggest that you contact your claims adjuster in Casas Adobes, and explain in detail your situation. In addition, you may consider talking to the claims department supervisor. The insurance provider has the final say in how they choose to replace or repair your car.

As soon as you leave the vehicle dealership lot your car depreciates. So even if they completely total your car you will not obtain the full amount of what you paid for your car.There is coverage you may buy in the future that would permit you to collect the full amount. It is called GAP insurance and it can give valuable protection during the early years of your vehicle’s life. If a loss happens such as total loss in a collision, theft, etc GAP insurance will pay the difference between the ACV of the car and the current outstanding balance on your lease or loan.

Can I Have My Auto Insurance Policy In My Name Only and Not My Husband?

Reader’s Question:

I am just wondering if it is possible to have the car insurance only in my name in Tucson. The title is also under my name and my husband is already in a nursing home.

Jane

Tucson, AZ

Yes, It is possible to have your car insurance policy only in your name if the vehicle is titled in your name and your husband is no longer a member of the household in Tucson.

You should speak your auto insurance agent that your husband is now in a nursing home and you would like the car insurance policy under your name only. Insurance providers guidelines vary so some insurance companies may require you to exclude your husband as a driver in your car insurance policy.

How Do I Correct Wrong Information Given To My Car Insurance Company?

Reader’s Question:

What if the information insurance providers get when they check driving records is not correct how can it be corrected? I live in Tempe, Arizona.

Brad

Tempe, AZ

Regardless of how the insurance providers obtains the information, if it is not correct it usually due to a problem or inaccuracy with your driving record coming from your DMV in your state, Arizona. So to correct this inaccurate information on your MVR/driver’s record you will need to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and ask them how to clear up your driving record.

You can call DMVs have a customer service phone line to report the inaccuracy of the information in your MVR in Tempe AZ. Your driving history should then be reviewed and corrected if the Department of Motor Vehicle finds your complaint valid. If the DMV informs you of your record being corrected then you may inform the insurance provider so that they may run your Motor Vehicle Record again and get information adjusted.

How Do I Know If My Drivers License Has Been Suspended?

Reader’s Question:

How will I be able to know if my driver’s license had been suspended in Arizona?

Greg

Coconino, AZ

Typically if your license has been suspended the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, will send you a letter of notification of the suspension of your driving privileges. It could be that you moved or did not receive the written notification, but your drivers license will none the less be suspended.

If you think that you have done something, such as not paying the fines for a traffic violation, that would result in the state suspending your drivers license Coconino Arizona, or are just not sure of the status of your driver’s license, you should contact Arizona Motor Vehicle Division.Typically you can find out the status of your license and also request a copy of your driving record from the DMV.

Tags: auto insurance, Driving without License

Why Does Auto Insurance Company Wants To Buy My Totalled Out Car?

Reader’s Question:

I got involved in an accident and the body shop my insurance carrier in Peoria suggested that I declare my vehicle a “total loss” even though I was able to drive the car there and the repair man said the problems were not mechanical but instead cosmetic?. Now my insurance carrier wants to possess my vehicle. I have a loan thru a bank using this vehicle as collateral and owe about $5000 loan. At the time of the accident the cars blue-book value is approximately $8,000. There is a $1,000 deductible on my auto insurance policy. What will happen next?

Michael

Peoria, AZ

Since the repair shop appraisal costs more than the fair market value, you will then receive the fair market value.

If your vehicle is determined to be totaled, and if you believe that the fair market value offered by the insurance company in Peoria, AZ is too low, get more information. Get signed statements from car dealers that state the value of your vehicle. Check the newspaper for prices of vehicles similar to yours. You can use this information to negotiate a fairer settlement for you. Make sure you get the information you need to support your case.

If you have physical damage coverage such as comprehensive and collision the insurance provider will typically write you a check for the actual cash value of the car, minus any deductible on your auto insurance policy.

Sometimes you can also negotiate to purchase the vehicle back from the insurance provider after they pay for the total loss. The insurance provider will typically try to salvage or auction a totaled vehicle.