Total loss after hit and run

by Fabrizio

My wife's car has been considered totaled after another car smashed into it at night when it was regularly parked on the street. The other car's driver abandoned his car and run away. It was a hit and run, but nobody has been injured.

In the morning when my wife got to the car to go to work she found it destroyed with a business card on the windshield from a police officer that was called by a witness that night.

The police found few hours later the other car abandoned a mile away from the accident. We called immediately our insurance and they suggested us to take the car to a body shop nearby, which we did.

A couple of days later the police called telling us that they found the guy and that he was taking full responsibility and luckily that he was insured.

They also asked my wife if she wanted to press charges and she answered yes. Our insurance has not got back to us with an offer for our car. Our car, a 2000 New Beetle, had very low mileage (less than 45,000) and was extremely well maintained with regular services from the local Santa Monica VW dealer.

Our insurance told us that they are going to make an offer based on the actual market value of the car.

They also told us that it will be illegal for us not to accept their offer. However, we feel that we should be compensated for much more than the car value especially considering the fact that this guy did not stop. Is it true that we have to accept their offer?


Answer:

Wow Wow -- hold on.

No it is not illegal for you to not take their offer, this is your car and you are negotiating! This means you get to accept or turn down their offer.

I believe it is illegal for them to lie to you! Check this pages to learn how to document a total loss. If they persist, hire an attorney!

http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/totaling-a-vehicle.html

Good Luck,
http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com