Car accident and doing my own repairs

[masalma]

Was rear ended a couple of weeks ago. Other party's Insurance sent me to get an estimate for repairs and it was around $1400. I have rebuilt the jeep when I got it including upgrades, body work and paint.

Is it possible to do all the work myself and bill the insurance company? damage is mostly bolt on parts (bumper, taillight)

Been trying to get a hold of their adjuster for a couple of days and no response and it is getting annoying to drive with a busted taillight and bumper.

[whiteout]

You can ask them for a cash settlement, which they shouldn't have a problem with. They'll reduce the amount of the payout, probably about 25%, and just give you a check.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by whiteout

You can ask them for a cash settlement, which they shouldn't have a problem with. They'll reduce the amount of the payout, probably about 25%, and just give you a check.

So what happens when you take a cash settlement, fix it yourself and get into another accident?

[whiteout]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

So what happens when you take a cash settlement, fix it yourself and get into another accident?

Not sure what you're asking here?

If OP takes the cash from the at fault party in this claim (Claim A) and then fixes his car and gets into another no-fault accident where the same parts are involved, it would be a separate claim (Claim B). The insurance company settling Claim B would then have an estimate done to repair the damages.

OP doesn't even need to fix his car with the money that the Claim A insurance company gives him.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by whiteout

Not sure what you're asking here?

If OP takes the cash from the at fault party in this claim (Claim A) and then fixes his car and gets into another no-fault accident where the same parts are involved, it would be a separate claim (Claim B). The insurance company settling Claim B would then have an estimate done to repair the damages.

OP doesn't even need to fix his car with the money that the Claim A insurance company gives him.

I'm guessing the insurance Co. would have a different take on things. At the very least I would want to make sure they saw I had fixed the issues to the proper standards. I'm pretty sure that would mean an inspection by a body shop.

[whiteout]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I'm guessing the insurance Co. would have a different take on things. At the very least I would want to make sure they saw I had fixed the issues to the proper standards. I'm pretty sure that would mean an inspection by a body shop.

In a case like this, they wouldn't care. OP can take the money they give him, put it all on black the casino and drive around with a banged up bumper.

They have to make OP whole, which would be either a new bumper and tail light, or cash equivalent. After he is made whole, they are done with it. If the damage was severe enough to be deemed a write off and OP wanted to fix it, he'd need a salvage inspection prior to re-registering and insuring the vehicle, but this is separate.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by whiteout

In a case like this, they wouldn't care. OP can take the money they give him, put it all on black the casino and drive around with a banged up bumper.

Yup, but they are not going to pay to fix a previously banged up bumper that was not repaired, if it gets into another accident.

[masalma]

Thanks for the answer. Will try to get a hold of the adjuster again tomorrow.

[Blastoff]

Park it and ask for rental because of the tail light, I wouldn't be bothered to fix there at fault accident unless you are unemployed",,, and have nothing to do

[Bushrat]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

Yup, but they are not going to pay to fix a previously banged up bumper that was not repaired, if it gets into another accident.

Insurance company only fixes to pre accident or pre claim condition. This sort of thing happens all the time, people with dents and rust get into an accident, it is usually easy to tell old damage from new damage. They will only fix the new damage i.e new dent in the front of the fender will get fixed but the old dent in the back of the fender, or the rust over the wheel well will not be fixed unless the owner wants to pay extra. All subject to the adjusters opinion and experience. People try to get away with saying old damage was part of the new accident, or the rust hole or blemishes weren't there before the accident they are most often disappointed. Not saying it doesn't happen, if the new damage justifies a replacement panel to fix it regardless of whether it had old damage or not the customer gets lucky sometimes.

[masalma]

Originally Posted by Blastoff

Park it and ask for rental because of the tail light, I wouldn't be bothered to fix there at fault accident unless you are unemployed",,, and have nothing to do

It is my toy jeep tj, for what they were quoting for a factory bumper, I could slap on a nice aftermarket one or even fab one with a tire carrier, and add on for optional jack, jerry can carrier. Plus I enjoy spending time in the garage during the spring/summer time.

[Sooner]

I had a claim over xmas that i cash settled. My fault, went up on a snow covered blvd to avoid hitting a car trying to stop as well. I hit my brakes to slow down with her and with the black ice we were on, even though i had lots of room yet, was going to eventually slide into the back of her. I had cosmetic damage to my front bumper and paint scratches in the side doors as i went by her. And a broken signal lamp. I cash settled and they said were done, no follow up.

As for future claims. Your insurance company has pictures and an estimate from the appraiser. If you go to claim another accident in the future for the same areas, they will compare the new damage with what they have on file and decide if your covered. Can't hurt you to snap some pics and send them into your adjuster after you complete the repairs. But as mentioned, if it's just cosmetic, they don't care as they have what they need to determine if new coverage can be accepted. If your overlapping old damage that wasn't fixed, no claim for those areas.

Now if you have any kind of frame or major suspension damages and they write it off and cash settle with you keeping the salvage. Expect it to be flagged as such until you go through the intense write off/mechanical inspection. You can't re register it if it's flagged as repairable.

[JB_AOL]

+1000 to what sooner said.

The only thing I have to add, is that your jeep may not be insurable in it`s current condition with a damaged taillight.

IE, you need to fix that, and show proof it was fixed, before they are willing to insure it again.

[masalma]

Originally Posted by Sooner

I had a claim over xmas that i cash settled. My fault, went up on a snow covered blvd to avoid hitting a car trying to stop as well. I hit my brakes to slow down with her and with the black ice we were on, even though i had lots of room yet, was going to eventually slide into the back of her. I had cosmetic damage to my front bumper and paint scratches in the side doors as i went by her. And a broken signal lamp. I cash settled and they said were done, no follow up.

As for future claims. Your insurance company has pictures and an estimate from the appraiser. If you go to claim another accident in the future for the same areas, they will compare the new damage with what they have on file and decide if your covered. Can't hurt you to snap some pics and send them into your adjuster after you complete the repairs. But as mentioned, if it's just cosmetic, they don't care as they have what they need to determine if new coverage can be accepted. If your overlapping old damage that wasn't fixed, no claim for those areas.

Now if you have any kind of frame or major suspension damages and they write it off and cash settle with you keeping the salvage. Expect it to be flagged as such until you go through the intense write off/mechanical inspection. You can't re register it if it's flagged as repairable.

Thanks. I am only going through the other party's insurance.

I spoke to their adjuster and they agreed to a cash settlement. Just needed to confirm with the bodyshop that there is no structural damage and will send a release form to sign.

Already ordered new taillights and hunting for a bumper and license plate bracket or fab a bracket to mount it in the middle. Decisions decisions.