Car insurance question, really bad luck with cars this year

You should read your policy. It will state exactly what is, and what is not, covered.

jules128 said: Need to ask the fatwallet gurus for advice.

My husband was driving and ran over something in the road, he drove a bit and I guess all the oil leaked out and the light came on and started beeping so he pulled over and got towed to our house. We figured he cracked the oil pan and we were going to get it fixed. Since last September he totaled our Jeep (link) I figured it would be better to just fix it than to call insurance. So I finally got around to having it towed to the shop and they say the engine is "locked up" which I've interpreted to mean, your car is dead.

you can skip this part if you want----after he totaled the jeep we got him a beater, 94 mazda pickup. It lasted about 4 months before it started smoking and shop diagnosis was a cracked head. It had no coolant in it. So I gave him my VW beetle, decent condition but I had put over 200k miles on it. So while I don't exactly blame him, he has rendered 3 vehicles USELESS in less than a year. We ended up donating the truck, which brings me to my question.

So, would insurance cover this? Is it too late to call? I don't want to pay a bunch of money to rebuild the engine and I don't know enough about cars to get the most out of them by selling for parts or anything like that. Can anyone offer me any advice? Thanks so much in advance!!

Too late to call about which car? The Jeep from the old thread? I thought insurance paid you $17k for that one?
If you had collission coverage on that one, yes insurance should pay, assuming you retained documentation to support your claim.

For the other ones, the pickup overheated and cracked its head. No insurance would cover that. And you didnt say what happened to the Bettle, so theres no way to answer whether insurance would cover that problem (probably not).

Also, you need to educate your husband about driving cars. I know he is new to driving and isnt from here, but in any country, common sense dictates a basic level of procedures to follow when something is amiss, not just continuing to drive until the things break down on the side of the road.

This hasnt been bad luck, but is entirely due to his lack of basic vehicle competence/education. Please take him off the road for his own safety and the safety of others.

SUCKISSTAPLES said:

Also, you need to educate your husband about driving cars. I know he is new to driving and isnt from here, but in any country, common sense dictates a basic level of procedures to follow when something is amiss, not just continuing to drive until the things break down on the side of the road.

This hasnt been bad luck, but is entirely due to his lack of basic vehicle competence/education. Please take him off the road for his own safety and the safety of others.

While I can appreciate what you're saying, he's a grown man with a valid driver's license and I'm doing the best I can here. The car acts up, you pull over and call AAA. Yeah I'm ticked that he ran over something but it was an accident.

And yes, people who ride in cars their whole lives generally have a basic understanding of the rules of the road just from riding in cars/busses. People who grow up in 3rd world countries who live in very rural areas where anything goes have no concept. I'm not trying to make excuses, I just was hoping this car would last at least another 6-9 months til we move and the one who's going to suffer is me as I'll be the one who's getting up and taking him to work. I need him to have a car for my OWN SANITY because I am on the verge of a meltdown here. omg, this isn't even coherent, is it?

Yes you made sense, dont worry. I know its frustrating.

So the Jeep - he hit parked cars, and insurance paid you.
The Pickup - cracked the head (probably overheated)
The Beetle - he hit something in the road, oil lights went on, suspect cracked oil pan.

Is that right?

If you had collission coverage on the Beetle, yes the insurance should pay if he struck something in the road. Again you would need something to support that claim (cracked oil pan repair estimates, etc). If you still have the car they will want to look at it.

You could get a check instead of fixing the car since they would likely total it.
Its not going to be a big check with 200k miles though.

I understand that hitting roadway debris happens. Ive cracked my transmission pan twice. Both times, I pulled over immediately, looked at the damage, saw the dripping fluid, and instead of attempting to drive further and ruin the car, had it towed before driving another foot... all I needed were new pans for $100. For your financial sake and your sanity, please educate your husband that striking something in the road means you IMMEDIATELY pull over and look at the damage.

Dont keep driving till you see lights and buzzers come on. He had several seconds after hitting the object, before all the oil dumps out without damaging the car beyond needing a new oil pan. Often this happens with oil filters. My dad hit something which damaged the oil filter, he pulled over immediately and got towed. a $20 oil change later and no harm done

Also, if he doesnt yet know the concept of regularly checking vital fluids such as oil/coolant etc (say monthly), thats a task you might want to learn about, or learn with him. At the least, get someone who will do it for you, such as a full service gas station, or quicklube type place (most offer free checkups and topoffs if you get your oil changed there) etc. Its worth paying $20 extra for oil changes or $5 extra for full serve gas to save a multithousand dollar repair bill.

forbin,

Most companies I know of would consider it a collision, because you are colliding with an object. Comprehensive has a very specific definition in the policy booklet, and if it doesn't meet one of those items (such as if the object isn't a "bird or other animal") then it would be collision.

Traditionally the things that fall under Comprehensive are: missiles, falling objects, theft, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, water, flood, malicious mischief or vandalism, riot or civil commotion, contact with a bird or animal.

Hitting a rock/piece of a car/couch/tv/whatever in the road would normally be collision--but it could all be up to how the adjuster signs off on it.

Hitting objects in the road, driving a car for a prolonged period of time with no coolant/antifreeze? You need a new husband.

jules128 said: The car is still at the shop so I'm going to go ahead and call my insurance (MD, State Farm). Just curious, which type of claim is worse, comp or collision?Collision. Some companies don't surcharge your rate after a comprehensive claim. Collision claims almost always result in a rate surcharge.

Don't fix the Beetle. VW makes sh!tty cars with horrible reliability anyway. Buy him a retired police cruiser (Crown Victoria police interceptor).

Oh, for those who gave me red...

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110205/avoid-these-5-used-cars-plus-5-to-buy?mod=family-autos

"Small Used Car to Avoid: Volkswagen New Beetle

Sure, it's adorable, but the 2007 New Beetle is also trouble-prone. Owners who responded to the Consumer Reports reliability survey reported problems with the fuel and electrical systems, the suspension, brakes, power windows, and other power equipment. The convertible model sells on dealers' lots for $17,055, according to Kelley Blue Book at kbb.com."

I would check the craigslist and buy another beater.

Scifiguy123 said: I don't want to sound harsh but has he taken any Defensive Driver courses. Also, some Community Colleges offer automotive classes for beginners.I feel for you. My wife is from another country (started driving at 27) and I have 2 teenage girls on the road. If it wasn't for me taking care of the maintenance of vehicles who knows what condition they would be in.

Sounds like her husband does not need a defensive driving course, which is a joke. He needs to go to a real driving school, like Bondurant, Skip Barber, or similar. Otherwise, he will just be a menace on the road.

He needs to learn how to drive properly, not the "stomp and steer" they teach at DMV sponsored driving schools.

I learned at a "driving school" there there is no such thing as accidents. There is nothing that is unavoidable, if the driver is driving and is in full control of the vehicle. Predicting the unpredictable is major part of driving, not just operating the vehicle.

Good luck to OP.

mikeres said: blueiedgod said: I learned at a "driving school" there there is no such thing as accidents. There is nothing that is unavoidable, if the driver is driving and is in full control of the vehicle. Predicting the unpredictable is major part of driving, not just operating the vehicle.Oh, REALLY!
Pray tell how you avoid the cinder block that some moron drops on your car from an overpass? You pay attention to threats on, and above the road


How do you avoid a herd of deer at night from running into your car?
From the front if driving in deer country at night drive slower
How do you avoid the load of steel rods that rips loose from the 18-wheeler along side of you?
Still wouldn't be an accident, if we are making shit up, that trucker or who ever loaded the truck did it wrong
How do you avoid the car/truck at the toll booth that suddenly backs up into you?
be ready to back up as well
How do you avoid a crazy girl that was just dumped and goes racing away at 100+ mph and smashes into the seven cars waiting at a red light - killing one, sending two to ICU and another three to the hospital with serious injuries (this actually happened in my town a few years ago)?
drive an armoured car

Need I go on?
please dont, 99.999% of 'accidents are avoidable, your just listing off the wall one time incidents
Despite what you were taught(?) in "driving school", sometimes there actually are unavoidable accidents no matter how alert and how much in control you are.

Just get him a motorcycle!
RailroadTrack said: Hitting objects in the road, driving a car for a prolonged period of time with no coolant/antifreeze? You need a new husband.

Why not try Craig's List and find a new husband? Three cars in one year? Buy him a bumper car!

blueiedgod said: Sounds like her husband does not need a defensive driving course, which is a joke. He needs to go to a real driving school, like Bondurant, Skip Barber, or similar. Otherwise, he will just be a menace on the road.

Sounds like OP's husband needs a course on how to have his smart phone check in with facebook as to his locations. Tell him it's his chance to become "mayor" or some such garbage.

Whatever it takes so the rest of us have some idea when he's heading out on the roads ... so we all have a chance to pull off somewhere safe.

First and foremost, he obviously needs to learn the basics of caring for a vehicle. That being said, it might be worth a shot to call your insurance regarding the vw beetle, but you have to consider the situation from their side. How long did you let the car sit without oil in it? Depending on the length , this could be the cause of needing a new engine. Hence, not their fault. Although I am not condoning their business practices, I used to work for an insurance company and can easily see them scrutinizing your claim. Just a few thoughts. Hope it all works out for the best.

barefool said: blueiedgod said: mikeres said: Pray tell how you avoid the cinder block that some moron drops on your car from an overpass?See if there is anyone on the overpass, expect them to drop something. Act appropriately when the expectation becomes reality.Swerving sideways into the car next to you would also count as an accident, right?

You should be aware of your vehicle position to both left and right, as well as the rear, not just the front. Out of every 10 seconds, you should spend 8 seconds looking forward, and 2 seconds to check your side and rear view mirrors. This way, when "situation" arises, you are not wasting time checking mirrors to see where you are, because you are already aware of the rate of speed of vehicles behind and next to you.

blueiedgod said: mikeres said: How do you avoid a herd of deer at night from running into your car?Look ahead and to the sides. You can spot deer from a distance, their eyes glow in the headlights. I've had a deer run into the side of my car while I was stopped. Deer are stupid and cars can't go sideways to jump out of the way.

You got me there. I would imagine that damage to a stationary vehicle from a flesh and bone deer a significantly less than a head on collision by a moving vehicle and deer, due to lower momentum forces. i.e. vehicle occupants do not experience significant change in G-force direction and ampllitude.

blueiedgod said: mikeres said: How do you avoid the load of steel rods that rips loose from the 18-wheeler along side of you?Don't drive next to, right behind, or immediately in front of vehicles that have a potential of dropping load to the sides/behind, or impact you from behind if you were to make an emergency stop.

mikeres said: Good advice generally. And it works well on uncrowded roads. On crowded roads, not so much.

Even on crowded roads one can pass a truck when there is room not to be in a dangerous position to the truck. Either slow down and let someone else be in the danger zone, or wait for car infront of you to have enough room, so that you can zoom past the stuck without being trapped.

blueiedgod said: mikeres said: How do you avoid the car/truck at the toll booth that suddenly backs up into you?Leave appropriate space between you and the vehicle in front. Sitting on his bumper will not get you through the toll any faster. Also, if you are oblivious, manual shifted vehicles sometime roll back before rolling forward. Leave appropriate space just in case the driver in front does not know how to heel and toe.

mikeres said: How much space should you leave? 3 feet? 20 feet? If the car in front continues backing up, should you back up into the car behind you?

Honk the Horn to draw the driver's attention.

blueiedgod said: mikeres said: How do you avoid a crazy girl that was just dumped and goes racing away at 100+ mph and smashes into the seven cars waiting at a red light - killing one, sending two to ICU and another three to the hospital with serious injuries (this actually happened in my town a few years ago)?Check your rear view mirror, if the vehicle behind does not seem like it will stop in time, get out of the way. Or jump out of the car. By the way, this is why they tell you to keep the motorcycle in gear and just hold the clutch when waiting at lights. Makes it easier to get out of the way.Again, good advice. We just need to recognize that it's not always possible. Accidents happen.

JRedleg said: Keep in mind, you're filing a claim for a car with over 200k miles on it. What is the car worth? Then subtract the deductible. Is this amount less than or equal to the repairs? Chances are the company will only pay the lesser of the two numbers.

If after your deductible, you receive, let's say $1,000, to repair the car. Will the increase in premium over the next three years be worth the claim?

To answer the question of: How will filling another claim impact my policy?

You'll need to open your policy or contact your agent to find out what your insurance company's current renewal policy is? The company I work for will non-renew you if you have two at fault accidents in 5 or 3 years (Depending on other criteria). If they renew you, how will two losses to one operator impact his Tiering / Rating?

DO NOT CALL CLAIMS: Some companies will non-renew you for a zero dollar claims, so you do not want to set up a claim. They call it Loss Frequency, which is a legal way of raising your rates or non-renewing your policy.

Well, it was either junk the car and take a loss since I wasn't going to pay for a new or rebuilt engine, or call insurance and hopefully get something out of the total. I have no idea how 2 total losses will impact his tiering/rating which is why I was asking here. Is it considered your fault if you run over something in the road? And does the total payout have any bearing on how much your insurance may go up?

blueiedgod said: I learned at a "driving school" there there is no such thing as accidents.
A blatantly false statement. Your mother met your father.

Defensive driving is a great technique to use, but you're naive if you think that ALL accidents can be prevented by simply paying more attention to your surroundings. There are a lot of completely unpredictable situations that can arise.

LordKronos said: You should be aware of your vehicle position to both left and right, as well as the rear, not just the front.
Great. So, someone is dropping a block from the overpass. You are blocked in on both side and there's a vehicle driving behind you. What do you do then?

You left out the obvious, SPEED UP!!!

LordKronos said: Even on crowded roads one can pass a truck when there is room not to be in a dangerous position to the truck. Either slow down and let someone else be in the danger zone, or wait for car infront of you to have enough room, so that you can zoom past the stuck without being trapped.

OK, so there is a slow moving vehicle carrying a big load. He's driving well under the speed limit. Do you just sit back and follow him for god knows how long, or do you pass him? If the load breaks while passing, there's a good chance you are SOL. Or even if it's just a slow moving car (no big load necessary) and his tire blows out while you are passing him, he could swerve into you.

Pass at the speed where you minimize the amount of time you are in the danger zone. i.e. don't pass a vehicle that is moving at 55 mph at 56 mph, pass them at 65 mph. This minimizes the amount of time you are in danger.


LordKronos said: Honk the Horn to draw the driver's attention.

Oh yeah...great idea. The guy (who is probably drunk) is oblivious to the fact that he's moving backwards, but yeah...that horn is going to be the thing he notices.

Open the door and jump out.