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From: jmd@rduxb.UUCP (Joseph M. Dakes, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, Pa.)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.legal
Subject: Re: what to do after auto accident?
Message-ID: <392@rduxb.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Apr-85 09:05:54 EST
Article-I.D.: rduxb.392
Posted: Tue Apr 23 09:05:54 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 24-Apr-85 03:11:36 EST
References: <1137@phoenix.UUCP> <3615@alice.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Reading, PA
Lines: 33
Xref: watmath net.auto:6519 net.legal:1594

> 	+ when the car is deemed 'totalled' - do i correctly assume
> 	that i will get 'book value' for the car and the 'remains' of the car
> 	are then the property of the insurance company?
> 
> Yes.  In effect, the insurance company is offering to buy your car
> from you for its canonical market value, even though it's wrecked.

One thing to mention is that if you have any valuables in your car that you
would like to keep such as seat covers, car stereo etc. get them out of your
car before the insurance company inspects it.

> 	+ the police dept. said the police report will be ready in 3-4
> 	days.  what steps do i follow once i get that report back? i.e. do i
> 	contact the faulted driver's insurance company directly? (i assume
> 	fault will be assigned - there seemed to be no question as to what
> 	happened - there were many witnesses)
> 
> I am not completely certain about this, but I think that in a case where
> the accident is clearly the other guy's fault, your insurance company
> will file a claim with the other driver's insurance company.  If that
> claim is accepted, you will get your deductible back.  To be certain,
> ask your insurance company.  I wouldn't expect to get very far trying
> to file a claim against the other guy's insurance.

If you have a half-decent insurance company all you should have to do is 
file a claim with them and they'll take it from there.  When my car was 
totaled about 4 years ago I did just that and received a check from the
insurance company in less than 2 weeks.

						Joseph M. Dakes
						AT&T Bell Laboratories
						Reading, PA
						rduxb!jmd